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Post by saraw on Dec 2, 2022 4:31:01 GMT -8
Hi, my daughter had 2 gerbils they are 9 month’s old, sadly one died last night, we just found her in the cage, she was always smaller than the other it’s like she never grew even though she ate plenty, so I’m not sure if there was something wrong her although she always seemed healthy. Anyway that leaves me with a heartbroken child and a lonely gerbil, will she be ok on her own ? She’s been very withdrawn today and it’s making me so sad. I really don’t feel confident enough to try and introduce a new one with the split cage, I’m just so worried it won’t work then I’ll have an even more devastated daughter and a gerbil that I would have to re-home. Any help or advice would be great, I’ve been trying to Google to see if anyone does an introduction’service’ ! Like take my gerbil and introduce it to one of their pups then I take them both back ? Long shot I know ! Anyway any help would be greatly received
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 2, 2022 5:00:12 GMT -8
Hello,
I'm so sorry to hear this. Perhaps she always had something wrong with her that made her weaker/more vulnerable, as well as affecting her growth.
It would be better to find your remaining gerbil a friend as she is so young. Many breeders will do an introduction for you if you ask. Hopefully you'll be able to work something out.
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Post by saraw on Dec 2, 2022 5:57:31 GMT -8
Thanks lilyanddaisy I would really to get her a friend, it makes me so sad to think she’s going to spend the next few years on her own. Do you know where to start with finding a local breeder I could reach out to ? X
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 2, 2022 6:32:42 GMT -8
You could contact the National Gerbil Society as they may know of someone. gerbils.co.uk/Rescues will sometimes have lone gerbils or pups as well. I know Gerbil and Rodent Rescue recently had some pups born.
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Post by saraw on Dec 2, 2022 7:30:41 GMT -8
Great, thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it x
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Post by saraw on Dec 5, 2022 23:50:15 GMT -8
So, I’ve drawn a blank with finding someone local enough to me to help with an introduction so I think I’m going to have to try myself. It’s breaking my heart to see cookie so lonely, she needs a friend. So I have questions- is it better to get a gerbil the same age as her or a baby ? I’m going to make a split cage using a massive storage tub and divider - will this be ok ? How long does it typically take for them to bond ? And what can I do/not do to try and make this a success as I need it work ! I need some time to get the split cage ready so by the time I’ve done that and get a new gerbil it will be potentially 3 weeks that cookie will have been on her own - will I have left it too long ? Thanks in advance for any help or advise x
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 6, 2022 5:36:44 GMT -8
A split tank is usually fairly small - about 60cm wide (or a larger enclosure divided down to this size). Make sure the divider fits very snugly without leaving any gaps as well. I'd be concerned with a storage box that there might be gaps.
A baby female is likely to be the quickest introduction, sometimes taking just a couple of days. An adult female will take longer, perhaps several weeks.
In terms of things to do to make it work, it's mostly about sitting back and letting the process work. To help the process, generally the gerbils should have shallow bedding and little to do so they're encouraged to interact with each other. If you're introducing two adult females and therefore anticipate a longer introduction, you be more lax on this aspect, allowing them more enrichment during the first few weeks and gradually reducing it as you get closer to removing the divider. If you're introducing a pup, I'd go with the "traditional" split tank setup, where they just have a couple of inches of bedding, water bottles, scattered food and nesting material.
The split tank process has a high success rate but it's never 100%. Sometimes when an introduction fails but the gerbils seem to get along okay through the mesh, people will have a permanent where they're living side-by-side.
There's no time limit for an introduction. 3 weeks is definitely not too long.
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Post by Markpd on Dec 6, 2022 12:01:47 GMT -8
people will have a permanent where....I assume you meant 'permanent split'?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 6, 2022 12:25:28 GMT -8
people will have a permanent where....I assume you meant 'permanent split'? Yes, I missed a word but I meant permanent split. Sometimes your brain is moving faster than you can type!
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Post by saraw on Dec 6, 2022 12:44:03 GMT -8
Thank you so much for all the information and help, it’s really appreciated, you’ve given me loads to think about and also a bit of hope that I can do this and hopefully cookie will have a new friend, I’ve decided to definitely go for it, but I’m going to wait till after Xmas, then I can get a split cage set up properly to make sure it’s safe for them. I’ll just to have to make sure she gets lots of love and attention in the meantime - luckily she’s a really friendly little gerbil and will jump out onto my hand for a fuss, she’s such a little sweetie !
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Post by Markpd on Dec 7, 2022 23:27:56 GMT -8
Aww bless, a very sweet gerbil! You're very lucky people will have a permanent where....I assume you meant 'permanent split'? Yes, I missed a word but I meant permanent split. Sometimes your brain is moving faster than you can type! I know what you mean!
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Post by saraw on Dec 8, 2022 4:07:42 GMT -8
Thanks Mark ! She really is.
If it’s ok - I just have a couple of questions! I’ve bought a second hand fish tank to the measurements mentioned by lilyanddaisy, I’m picking it up on Saturday 👍🏻I’ll also be calling at wickes to get wood and wire mesh to build the divider. So what I need to know really is what type, thickness of wood am I best getting for the divider and also the mesh - what type/thickness is recommended please ? Thanks as always in advance
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 8, 2022 4:22:17 GMT -8
Thanks Mark ! She really is. If it’s ok - I just have a couple of questions! I’ve bought a second hand fish tank to the measurements mentioned by lilyanddaisy, I’m picking it up on Saturday 👍🏻I’ll also be calling at wickes to get wood and wire mesh to build the divider. So what I need to know really is what type, thickness of wood am I best getting for the divider and also the mesh - what type/thickness is recommended please ? Thanks as always in advance I use untreated (sawn) whitewood timber. Don't get treated timber (it usually has a greenish hue). The thickness isn't too critical. About 2-5cm thick will work. I recommend 6mm mesh so that they can't bite each other through the holes. It should be square mesh, not chicken wire.
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Post by saraw on Dec 8, 2022 4:35:20 GMT -8
Brilliant - thank you again for all your help. Now just keep everything crossed that I can make a success of the introduction 🤞🏻
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 8, 2022 8:30:11 GMT -8
Brilliant - thank you again for all your help. Now just keep everything crossed that I can make a success of the introduction 🤞🏻 I wish you the best of luck with it. You will find that after your first successful split tank introduction you will feel much more confident for future ones. Feel free to ask all the questions you want along the way. Many people like to start a thread for their introduction where they can ask all their questions and document the gerbils' progress.
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