Thinking of getting another pair of gerbils

[wonderz]

Hello! 

I currently have a pair of male gerbils who are still doing wonderful! They just turned 1 two days ago   

I was looking online one night at breeders near me and saw that one had two female pairs and a female trio available. I would love to get the trio since they have been there the longest but I only have space for a 55 gallon tank...I would be happier if I could provide them with a bigger enclosure such as a 75 gallon. 

One of the other pairs that caught my eye are sisters...but they are a month apart, so I was wondering if they would be more likely to declan? I was reading some older threads and saw that sisters that are the same age are paired good together but what about an older and younger sister pair? 

I'm not yet 100% set on getting another pair of gerbils but these cuties just stole my heart haha 

Another question I have is...could you set tanks side by side? I was thinking I could set a cardboard divider between the tanks so they wouldn't see each other. I just don't want my boys to declan 

Thanks!! 

[betty]

Happy birthday to your boys!!!

Female gerbils can live together as long as males in pairs - even if non-litter siblings - but trios are more likely to declan at any time because two can gang up on the other (but they don't always of course). Also, thinking space-wise, if the trio does declan you can't create a permanenet split (with a 2:1 situation) so will need space for a whole new tank if you want to keep the single: however if a pair declan you CAN keep them in the same (but securely divided) tank - saving space and reducing the need for a friend each all over again.

Overall though - I always had my different tanks side by side - with either sex in them - and they genuinely seemed to completely ignore each other - even if there was a gerbil in each tank at the same location - but of course cardboard just makes extra sure they can't see each other.

The only REAL issue with multi-clan households is being careful not to 'share' any of their supplies as this - especially with males and females - can upset the applecart. Basically, you would need to be reall careful that you didn't move one thing - say a house - from the girls to the boys (or vice versa) without a superdoopa clean and disinfect. Any residual smell of males/females in the wrong location could upset things - especially in the males. The only ever male declan I have ever had was between two unrealted young males who I accidently transferred a non-fully washed item to from a female enclosure (it was actually a few days apart as well - I had put it in the 'clean pile' by accident).

However, people keep males and female pairs together in the same room all the time overall - without total carnage - it is just about being sensible and over-cautious really.

[wonderz]

Thank you!!

Good to hear that non-litter siblings will be okay together! As for the trios...I would for sure not want to have 3 different cages if they declanned...that would be a lot. I would also eventually need to introduce the lone gerbil to another one.

If I were to get another pair I would definitely keep everything separated. New wheel, toys, hides, etc. Even items like wood because they are harder to clean. I would hate to cause any issues between the households especially since my boys are doing well so far...


Thanks so much ! and I will try to remember to update if I do decide to get them haha 

[betty]

Would certainly be good to meet the newbies if you did.

Sometimes it is hard to resist a new pair of gerbils - but the tanks certainly take up a lot of room so certainly worth really thinking about it before acquiring more...

I just wish I had a bigger gerbil room!!