Adding a nest box during introduction

[ps25]

Hi

I just went through what should be an easy intro that ended up being very touch and go, and then had an instant game-changing moment.... 

I have a 2 year male/female pair that had been in the split tank for about a week and were giving off all the right signals.  So I did my usual introduction, with nothing in the tank other than bedding.  I have used this approach for years - the idea being that without any toys to distract or get territorial over, the gerbils should be forced to interact and bond.  It started out well, they were comfortable in the same tank together, no signs of aggression.  But the male, who is now going to be renamed "Doofus", just didnt get any of Angels signals.  When she wanted to eat, he wanted to try mating.  When she wanted to groom, he wanted to dig etc.  After about an hour, she started to get stressed out by the situation and I was considering calling a time out on the intro.  Then I remembered a recent post about providing a small enclosed space (I think it was described as a bubble).  So I cut a cardboard box in half to make an open cave like nest box.  The effect was instant.  They both headed straight into the box and she immediately looked much more at ease.  They started grooming and settled down together. 

That would've probably been the end of the intro but Doofus decided to chew the nest box ha ha ha.  So they got a second "cave" and spent the night together in there.

I cant believe I haven't tried this before.  It really brought them together in an enclosed but easily accessible space.  I will definitely try added a nest box a few hours into my next intro.

[betty]

That is a great anecdote for sure on intros - and yes - I wonder if this could work for same-sex intros too moving forward.

We know that some other rodents are bonded in a much smaller space than a split cage (like rats) so perhaps this is the key ingredient in those more tricky intros.

Would be great to get some more info on others who have or will try this. Thanks for sharing.

[Markpd]

Interesting, thanks for posting this

[ps25]

I tried this method again in two more recent introductions. It worked both times (sort of...)

Second time was another male/female introduction. Again the addition of the open nest box worked like a charm in bringing them together and they were soon snuggled up and napping together in there.

Third time (yesterday) was a senior male with a younger adult male (about 6 mo). I expected this to be a more difficult intro due to the same sex and difference in age and temperaments. Younger male is very active and playful, the older male is much more mellow. But there had never been any signs of aggression between them in the split so I was hopeful.

As expected, the older male was wanting to establish his dominance and the younger one made some moves to groom him but was too jumpy to allow himself to be groomed in return. So I added the open nest box. They both went inside and it looked like it was going to work its magic. But then the younger one wanted to play instead. So he came out and climbed on top, then fell off just as the older one popped his head out. This little accident almost ended up in a fight so I gave them a 5 minute time out to settle down again. I resumed the intro, and again the younger one would briefly groom the older one but was too nervous to allow himself to be groomed. After about 30 mins I tried adding the nest box again. In they both went and the younger male immediately settled down and let the older male groom him. Introduction done!

So that 3/3 for the open nest box.

[betty]

So, just to check - is this 'open nest' the bottom half of the cardboard box in situ - with the top part open?

And are you talking cereal box sized or smaller?

Do you put any substrate or nesting material in it or leave it empty?

[ps25]

The box I used this time was a tissue box, about 9x5x4". The side was completely cut away to make a open cave like area with a roof. I have also tried a smaller box but there needs to be enough room so that they dont feel cornered.

I scattered a bit of bedding inside but it wasnt deep and soon got kicked out anyway, so I dont think bedding is important. I'm thinking the box itself brings the gerbils together in an enclosed area that makes them feel a bit more secure and so being more relaxed helps them focus on bonding.

So far, I've been adding the box about 30-60 mins into the intro once they have settled down a bit and are trying to get to know each other. I dont know if adding it earlier or from the very beginning would help or not.

[LilyandDaisy]

I think the open nest box sounds like a good idea, especially as it could reduce stress. I think sometimes if one or both gerbils are nervous types they can struggle to settle down after an introduction.

I would think that it's probably better to add it after 30-60 minutes as you say, rather than from the beginning, because then it's a "new thing" and it can snap them out "running around aimlessly mode" into "settling down mode". Adding handfuls of food and chewing material at the right times can also be helpful if they're starting to annoy each other and you need to get them back on track.

[betty]

Absolutely - I aways think about adding something at around the 30 minute mark just as distraction, and then again another 30 minutes in. I have never tried a box like this - usually just some food first, or a handful of shredded kitchen roll or hay - but certainly the open sided 'space' certainly feels like a good alternative. Like said above - that settling down mode is what we are always waiting for after an introduction - so maybe this can help facilitate that.

Can't wait to try it myself next time.

[Markpd]

Worth adding these various tips to the guide I think, thanks guys