Playpen?

[atiriya17]

Hi!! I just got my gerbils today and would like to start taming them once they are settled in. Would sitting in a playpen with them help? Or is it pointless to do that? Also, when setting up a playpen, a few people have told me that it needs to be connected to the enclosure so they can go back home if they would like. Is this necessary and if it is, what are some ways to do it?

[Markpd]

I have heard that sitting in a playpen does help the taming process, although I haven't tried it myself, so I'll let those who have give you a more detailed answer.

It's not essential to have a connection from the playpen to the cage, but if you have one, yes they can go back the instant they feel like it. But owners who don't have the pen and cage connected report that they soon learn the signs when their gerbils want to leave, e.g trying to jump up the sides of the pen (to name but one). An advantage of not connecting them is that you can transport them by hand, so after a little while they'll be eager to jump onto your hand to go out to play , so that helps the taming process too. That's something I missed out on because my boy(s) cage is connected to their playpens via ducting (on a temporary basis).

Hmm, thinking about it, what I could do is transfer Blake (Avon recently passed away ) to at least one of the pens by hand, then connect the tubes afterwards so he can back and forth as he pleases! Yea I'm going to try that tonight , he does sometimes walk onto my hand anyway when he wants me to lift him up somewhere.

The tubes are dust extraction ducting/hoses, if you want to Google it. You can't leave it permanently connected as they're likely to chew it, you can protect the ends (as I have) but that doesn't stop them chewing the inside. My Avon never did AFAIK, but Blake does sometimes, usually when he's been out for a while. Not sure if it's because he wants to escape, or because he's bored or something else!
This photo shows the ducting connected to the sandpen.



This shows the protection at the sandpen end of the tube (an old aluminium number plate cut up, folded and filed).

[atiriya17]

this is so amazing!! thank you for the info! sorry for your loss, i'm sure he had a great life I have rabbits living in the same room as them, free roam so it would be problematic to set up tubes. I will however look out for signs of them wanting to go back always! Also, since I just got them, when would be a good time to introduce them to the playpen? They are 8 weeks old.

[Markpd]

Hmm, I'm not sure tbh, I would think leave it at least 2 weeks until they've settled in? But if someone more experienced thinks otherwise, then let us know .

Also watch out when they go in and when they come back for any behaviour that looks like the submissive gerbil is challenging the status quo, I had that problem when Blake went into the sandpen, he'd get all bolshie with Avon (who was normally the top dog.... err gerbil! ). I had to make sure that Avon went in first, then Blake, and all was ok.

PS Wanta see pics of the rabbits! (If you'd like to, post them in the Member area > Other animals species section ).

[atiriya17]

okay!! i'm definitely trying not to overwhelm them but being new to gerbils is a lot haha. I do eventually hope that they are hand tamed but it would be completely fine if they weren't, I know every gerbil is different!! I just want them to comfortable and feel safe, no matter what.

also, yes!! will post pics of the bunnies soon! rabbits and hamsters are my better areas lol just trying to grasp as much info as possible about the gerbils.