|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 11:46:42 GMT -8
Peanut would most likely react similar to how Donut used to - either ignore it or squeak and run away. When females are in heat things can be lively but mine have always come out the other side just as bonded as ever. No matter how wound up they got the evening before, by morning they're always snuggled up together as usual!
Especially since Peanut is the younger and smaller gerbil here, she really won't have much choice but to put up with it!
If the concern is that Cookie might be in heat again when you introduce them on Saturday, I'd try to remove the divider earlier in the day before she goes into heat so they should be settled by evening. You'll need to focus on them entirely for the first 30 minutes, then be next to the tank (but you can be doing other things) for the next couple of hours, and then nearby for the rest of the day.
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 12:09:15 GMT -8
Ha ha ha oh poor little peanut !!!!
Yes I was going to start first thing Saturday morning and literally be with them all day - the problem is I’ve just realised we are out on Saturday night 😩 So do you think put it off till Sunday when I can start the introduction about dinner time and watch them for the rest of the day ?
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 12:28:09 GMT -8
Ordinarily I would say it's fine to leave an adult and pup for the evening if they were introduced early in the day and have been fine all day, but maybe not if you're concerned about Cookie being in heat. In all likelihood it would be fine but there's no point going out and spending the whole time worrying about the gerbils. It is possible to put the divider back in and pick up another time. When I introduced Tilly and Wispa they had several partial days together before I left them together permanently.
So there are two options: - Introduce them on Saturday and separate them again for the night - Wait until Sunday
Either option is good.
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 12:46:56 GMT -8
Ahhh ok I didn’t realise you could do that ! So I could let them spend the day together on Saturday then separate them on Saturday night and put them back together Sunday afternoon when I can resume vigil by the tank again ? That actually will be the best option for me. So then Sunday night when I go to bed (if all goes well with the introduction) I can leave them together?
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 12:51:41 GMT -8
Yes, and by the Sunday evening they should be really well bonded so can be left together for the night if all is well.
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 13:21:54 GMT -8
Brilliant, that’s the plan then ! Really cute moment tonight, peanut was trying to groom cookie tail through the mesh, it melted my heart ! They have actually spent a lot more time together tonight - even if it’s just sitting each side of the divider, they had a wash at the time too next to each other. Thanks again lilyanddaisy- you’ve been an absolute god send through this whole experience ☺️
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 13, 2022 13:27:30 GMT -8
Brilliant, that’s the plan then ! Really cute moment tonight, peanut was trying to groom cookie tail through the mesh, it melted my heart ! They have actually spent a lot more time together tonight - even if it’s just sitting each side of the divider, they had a wash at the time too next to each other. Thanks again lilyanddaisy- you’ve been an absolute god send through this whole experience ☺️ That's lovely That's just the kind of interaction you want to see, where they just seem to want to exist near each other. When you remove the divider on Saturday, you should have ready something narrow and rigid to separate gerbils if needed, and a pot to put over one of them. I'm almost sure you won't need it here but have it ready anyway.
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 13, 2022 13:31:50 GMT -8
Ok, I’ll get everything ready ! I really hope I won’t need them ! 🤞🏻
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 14, 2022 9:04:34 GMT -8
So things still going really well, they are still totally relaxed with each other and sleeping next to eat other and always in each others nests. I just feel totally sorry for them, they are bored rigid 😔 is there anything I can do for them to relieve their boredom? I wish I had time sooner to do the introduction but unfortunately with work etc Saturday is the only time I can do it. I just feel so cruel leaving them with nothing to do
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 14, 2022 9:33:34 GMT -8
At this point you could give them plenty of cardboard and maybe even a wheel for a few hours. Since they seem to be "there" in terms of bonding, you can probably afford to be more lax with the split. Though I would scale everything back again on Friday in preparation for Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 14, 2022 9:46:53 GMT -8
Ok thank you, unfortunately the wheel I have won’t fit in there 😩 I could give them back those think cardboard tubes ? As toilet paper tubes are being demolished in minutes 🤣
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 14, 2022 11:04:36 GMT -8
Yes, the thicker tubes should be okay.
I'm excited to hear how things go on Saturday!
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 14, 2022 12:18:20 GMT -8
I’ll be sure to update you ! I just wish I had the time to do it before, just done the bedtime swap over and cookie is desperate to get to peanut I had to stop her three times from scaling the divider ! They’ve both handled the split cage really well so far but I can tell tonight that they are both getting a bit fed up now, just hope another two days doesn’t send them stir crazy 😩
|
|
|
Post by saraw on Dec 14, 2022 12:47:06 GMT -8
Just a quick question- they are quite obviously ready to be introduced- will it have a negative effect leaving it another 2 days ? Or am I being paranoid!?
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 14, 2022 13:48:25 GMT -8
No, it shouldn't harm anything. If anything it should help.
|
|