|
Post by betty on May 27, 2023 12:36:10 GMT -8
How old are they again?
Anything over 4 weeks should be ok with loads of extra 'easy' nutritious foods as mentioned above with their dad. Even though they are most likely almost 100% off mums milk, it's still not ideal of course, but it has a very good success rate overall - and frees up mums headspace (as well as nest space).
Anything over 3 weeks can still work - but you need to keep a closer eye on them individually at this age as they are still half relying on mums milk when they can get it. Pups taken out this young can often lose a bit of weight in the first few days as the transition on the gut is more sudden, even when supplemented with formula (although now there is the Beaphar rodent specific formula this might not be as noticable (a lot of my experience with formula has been with puppy/kitten formula)). With ample and considerate feeding along with individual growth records where possible, they can all pull through it if this is what is needed.
Glad to hear they are all doing well - I can't imagine how much fun the pups are having in such a big group! (Mum, maybe not so much...)
|
|
|
Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 30, 2023 11:52:27 GMT -8
Haha, it seems like they really are having a lot of fun. The babies are just entering their fourth week, so before we know it they'll be finding new homes!
Thank you so much for all the support and help!
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Jun 2, 2023 12:34:10 GMT -8
It's not much of an update, but everyone's doing great, and I counted all nine babies are happy+healthy. Skittle's tank looks pretty crazy with nine babies inside. It's crazy to see how much they've grown, their eyes are open and they're running around the tank like little mischievous gremlins. They're even drinking from the water bottle, eating solid food, and running on the wheel! Very fun to see. Skittle is expecting her second litter any day now, and I know the older pups usually help take care of the younger pups and support Mum, but with so many babies, should I take some out and put them with Dad? perhaps only leaving in her original five? She doesn't seem to get overwhelmed easily, I just don't want to find her limit. I'd love to see a video of them all together!
And lol at the greedy dads!
|
|
|
Post by betty on Jun 3, 2023 11:32:26 GMT -8
Haha, it seems like they really are having a lot of fun. The babies are just entering their fourth week, so before we know it they'll be finding new homes! Thank you so much for all the support and help! I'm a bit jealous actually - I haven't bred gerbils for a few years now - and I really do miss how adorable the pups are!!!! (especially the ginger ones)
|
|
|
Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on Jun 4, 2023 9:16:40 GMT -8
It is a lot of fun, as well as a lot of responsibility. I'm really enjoying watching the pups grow up, it's been quite a joy to see.
I think after this upcoming litter, however, I'm going to take a little break from breeding for a while. I don't have quite enough room to keep a solid breeding operation if it's going to be continual, and then I can put more focused attention on a smaller amount of gerbils. I'll probably only keep my absolute favorites.
How many do you have currently?
|
|
|
Post by betty on Jun 5, 2023 23:34:02 GMT -8
At my peak I had over 100 across 6 months. As you have just found out though - they multiply up very quickly (and their enclosures) if you don't have permanent pairs and the ages and genders don't quite match up - or if you are unlucky enough to have a non-maternal mother.
We were planning on moving so we gradually dropped the numbers leading up to that, and then I only had a few breeding females anyway and but I started pairing them up - but we had no litters after a few attempts and by then duprasi gerbils had rather taken over my life and so I only have a few 'normal gerbil' retirees now.
My gerbil room is also smaller here and so all the spare giant tanks are currently stabled away in the garage awaiting their time again with the next move (whenever that is).
|
|