Planning to get a father and son very soon

[catnut]

I haven't had a father and son together before and was looking for some expertise on how this combination may go. The dad is around 9 months old (or may be close to a year as he is a rescue) and the son is going to be 3 months old next week and has been with dad since he was 5 weeks old from what i've been told. I haven't seen them yet but told they are getting along. There was another brother the same age but as there was a single male from the second litter, he is now with him as of Monday. Once i get them on the weekend i will see how they are acting but can ask questions for how they are acting. Is this a good or bad combination? Is there a higher or lower chance of declanning and what could i do to try to lower the chance of a declan? I've had singles for awhile so not used to having a pair.

[betty]

All should be well - father and son clans are normally very strong and stable - and I would give them 10 out of 10 for sure when dads are young and healthy.

The only thing that might change that a teeny bit would have been removing their brother at 9 months old. It is rather an odd thing to do: to split an existing clan - but not unheard of with some breeders (as they often remove a single sibling to use for future breeding). I am sure if your breeder has done this many times before without issues - then it will be just fine - it just wouldn't have been something I would have considered myself (but then I am rather a conservative keeper).

Any ideas on names yet??

[catnut]

the woman that collected them isn't a breeder, just someone who helps rescues small animals. The brother is 3 months old and is now with a 6 week old, hopefully that is going well as i haven't heard from her yet about them. What can i do to prevent a declanning? i've read about not many hides and i guess i will have to watch how they will share the wheel, i've had some pairs who learn to take turns or is it better to have two wheels if there is an issue? how about food and water bottles? is two bowls a good idea? I do wonder down the line when one passes on but that doesn't always mean the dad will go first, depends on their health issues they could get. I did think if the dad gets a health issue, this could cause a declan if he gets weak. I have extra aquariums incase a declan happens but want them to stay together as long as they are getting along.

[catnut]

I have four names i like but will see when i get them what suits them, i've only seen afew photos of both. will let you know once i get them and what i decide. Thanks for the help.

[betty]

People have tried lots of different things, but I always stick with what you have suggested - smaller space, less things and starting with low substrate, only adding things in rather than taking out or full cleans (I only do handful cleans during tense times). Additionally, when moving enclosures or increasing the size of the existing I only use the exact same substrate and things for the exchange and a few weeks in - then start 'putting in' only all over again. I do stretch out all my changes as I always want to give them the best chance, so do plan ahead

Father:Sons are usually very steady clans - only with illness might there be an issue - but I have found that if the dad is a really relaxed kind of guy (which they usually are after having raised two litters of their own) even their illness doesn't upset the clan.

However, as you are getting yours as sort of an existing clan anyway, most of this shouldn't be an issue. Ask for as much of their existing substrate as you can and any disposibles they are using if you want - to tie-over their own smells and 'things' into your own enclosure. Not essential, but it feels the right thing to do (pets shops usually don't because they have cleaned them out so often, they haven't been able to scent-mark anything anyway, but I always give used tubes and things when rehousing to new enclosures.

Can't wait to meet them...

[catnut]

i have a 40 gallon i was planning to put them in but also have a spare 30, not sure what size they are in now so will have to ask her and also to bring some of their bedding with her because i'm not sure how she is going to bring them, in their home or in a carrier. I will see if she can give me something of what they have if she doesn't want to keep it for other gerbils as she still has 6 others. What size is best for two?

[betty]

I usually start with a 30 but only because I have so many spare tanks or all sizes - if you only have the 40 then start with the 40 - but keep it very simple and low-key with no dead-end nests etc.

If they seemed well chill then I would start upgrading them during that first week and after a month of positives I would assuem they were good. Any perceived tensions along those first few weeks I always just stick at the current level for another week and extend the period.

I have a lot more built in confidence in father:sons brother:brother over unrelated pups, so I would always be assuming the better end of the scale.

[catnut]

okay, thanks for all your help. I will see how they are but the foster home says they are doing fine together. I have a bit of anxiety but will let them settle and not disturb then too much the first few days unless i need to, just feed and give them water, no changes. I've had 6 sets of pairs, the males have brought me issues for some reason but maybe it was out of my control. Will do my best and hopefully they are both chill.

[betty]

Finges crossed they are fine.

Non-littermate males - especially those plucked from an existing group and/or over 10 weeks old can be a bit tricky right up until about 18 months really. Other pets in the house or a high perception of predators (bird shadows) and the close presence of female scents/illness can all contribute to a squabble. It is just one of those things with gerbils, sadly.

[catnut]

okay, hopefully having a female in the home won't impact them but will wash my hands well and not have them too close to one another. They arrived today at 10am- they are adorable and i am letting them settle in, they are smaller and better looking in person. they have been very busy so hopefully will tire themselves out before bed so they sleep well overnight. I have them in a separate room upstairs for the first couple weeks before moving them into the living room.

[betty]

How exciting!! I love it when they are still tiny...


Keeping busy and distracted is always a great tactic for sleepy gerbils!

[tanzanyte]

Exciting!
I can’t wait to meet them on the intro page and find out their names. Enjoy getting to know their little characters.

Edited as forgot to say we had males and females in the same room but opposite sides and I always washed my hands and kept everything separate and we didn’t have any issues from either.