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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 12, 2022 10:46:38 GMT -8
I'd say it's neutral right now. She's probably curious or frustrated at the barrier.
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Post by saraw on Dec 12, 2022 11:04:13 GMT -8
Ok, fingers crossed then ! The pup has made a nest next to the barrier and is looking sleepy bless her, cookie is chewing or scratching at the side of the tank !!!
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 12, 2022 11:07:48 GMT -8
Cookie's probably not very happy at the small space but hopefully she'll calm down soon. If you have time before bed, you could do the first swap and see how Cookie reacts to that. But probably only if she's settled down and slept before then, or it will just confuse her further.
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Post by saraw on Dec 12, 2022 11:24:40 GMT -8
Ok thank you, I’ll see how things go, if not I’ll do it first thing in the morning ?
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 1:06:51 GMT -8
First night complete: They made nests and slept next to each other I swapped them as soon as I got up, they had a sniff round each others sides and settled into their business I scattered food on each side of the divider and they were happy to eat side by side A few sniff and licks through the mesh Cookie still having a little scratch at the mesh but not as much Cookie has now settled to sleep in the pups (we’ve named her peanut!) nest and peanut is still awake having a little potter about. Cookie is also seeming a lot less stressed than she was last night, I think (hopefully) having some gerbil company has cheered her up! Does this all sound like positive behaviour/signs ? I know it’s early days but I’m so desperate for this to work!
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 3:29:25 GMT -8
That all sounds great!
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 3:32:19 GMT -8
Great, thank you ! I’m going to do another swap this afternoon then back again tonight. They are both asleep now in the nests the other made last night next to each other.
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 5:34:54 GMT -8
Just done the second swap of the day (so sorry if I’m boring people here!) I’m so nervous about this so want to document everything! Swap went smoothly they again had a little sniff around and a little sniff at each other through the divider (they were sleepy as I woke them up!) having a little potter about, cookie looks like she’s going to go back to sleep as she’s sorting the nest out ! although they aren’t overly interacting as in at the divider all the time, they seem totally relaxed in their little sides and when they do meet at the divider it’s all calm sniffing then walk away - is this good ? Or should they be interacting more ? To be fair - like I said - they were sleepy on the second swap as I’d just woken them up !
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 5:56:44 GMT -8
I wouldn't worry about the lack of interaction. It sounds like they are relaxed around each other and only need a quick sniff to check in once in a while, which is exactly how a bonded clan should be. It sounds like it's going really well. When do you think you might try removing the divider?
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 6:04:47 GMT -8
Oh great, thanks for the encouragement! I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous about anything in my life ! I have no idea !? What do you think ? I dont want to rush it and ruin everything but also don’t want cookie to start getting too agitated in the split tank ? She’s been ok today but then again she’s always been more active on an evening so I suppose I’ll see tonight how she’s doing in such small quarters !!!
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 6:28:52 GMT -8
From your description, it sounds like they could be ready whenever you have a few hours spare to watch them.
Once introduced, they'll need to stay in the split tank with the divider removed for a few days but you can start giving them more bedding and things to do from probably the next day. After introducing adult gerbils I would want to be more cautious with adding new things but I think with a pup introduction you can take things a bit faster.
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 7:50:57 GMT -8
Oh really ! That’s good then ! I probably won’t have that kind of time to spare till Saturday- so that will be 3 more days in the split - do you think that will be ok ?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 8:10:11 GMT -8
Yes, that will be fine. They should be very relaxed around each other by then.
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 8:22:33 GMT -8
Brilliant ! I’ll try on Saturday then, keep everything crossed for me !!! 🤞🏻 I’ll be sure to keep you updated how it goes !!!
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Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 11:28:35 GMT -8
Me again ! So cookie is in heat tonight she’s very mellow and lethargic (which is how she normally is- I call her zombie gerbil 🤣) She’s still being nice and sniffing peanut through the divider but she’s also rubbing herself on the water bottle (again this is something she usually does) what I’ve thought is - when we had donut and cookie was in heat she would try and Mount donut all the time ! Donut used to squeak at her and run off and that was that. What I’m worried about is if cookie does this to peanut - and what peanuts reaction will be ? Any thoughts or experiences with this ?
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