Can 1-year-old female breed for first time?

[tumbleweed14]

    Is it possible for me to breed my nearly one-year-old gerbil?  I have looked into breeding for a while and this is a question that concerns me.  I don't want to get a male for my sweet Bingo when there's a high chance of birth problems.  I mean, baby gerbils would be really cute, but I want Bingo to be okay.  Should I breed her or just go for a female to Split with her instead?

[betty]

That is certainly a perfect age for pairing a healthy female - and there is no increased chances of pup issues from any younger age - however it isn't just her health that are to be considered of course:

Like rabbits:
Breeding isn't life long and so getting her a male for bonding - then pairing up for pups - means that you will have to split them up after the pups. This will leave you with double the number of enclosures and from right now - this would quadruple, or more, your gerbil numbers (as at least one female stays with mum and one with dad).

Gerbil babies are certainly adorably cute for sure - but you could find yourself in love with them all (from 6-12 pups in the double litter set up) and then you will need more detolfs than you can shake a stick at!!


If you decide on the split intro - then stick with either one very young pup (often the easiest intro) or another older female (older gerbils are more laid back) - but females can be a bit stubborn in splits if younger (say 6-18 months) and can also change status once the younger one matures fully.

[Markpd]

Apr 26, 2022 4:15:46 GMT -8 tumbleweed14 said:

    Is it possible for me to breed my nearly one-year-old gerbil?  I have looked into breeding for a while and this is a question that concerns me.  I don't want to get a male for my sweet Bingo when there's a high chance of birth problems.  I mean, baby gerbils would be really cute, but I want Bingo to be okay.  Should I breed her or just go for a female to Split with her instead?

Did you find the breeding guide/intro I mentioned in your other thread? Anyway, this is it - gerbilforum.proboards.com/thread/2164/responsible-breeding-ready