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Post by gerbilicious on Sept 7, 2004 11:02:15 GMT -8
I think a good place would be a bathtub covered with towels.
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Post by birchmoon on Sept 8, 2004 10:32:39 GMT -8
I put this idea in the housing section because I didn't realize this was here! Someone had a very similar idea already, using the rubbermaid tub for a playground. But you could also put play sand in it. It's fun to see them so happy when they dig. Just put a couple of inches of sand and a few flowerpots or toys in there with them. heather
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Post by cinnycinnamon on Sept 8, 2004 17:06:27 GMT -8
Okay so I hafta ask how much fun time is too much fun time for gerbils to have? I feel guilty if I don't have time to let them out to play everyday so I make an effort to make sure that they do get some play time. I have those exercise balls for my gerbils to go in and they don't seem to mind. Except for Billy. He'll go in, but then won't move around as much as he once used to. And now after reading what happened to Nibbit, I'm thinking maybe that's what happened to Billy and he's afraid?? Peaches and Sally really enjoy it, though. I let them all run around in my bedroom while listening to classical music. Is an hour too long? That's about how long I let them each play. And even then, Sally and Peaches don't want to go back "home". But I don't want them to get totally exhuasted, ya know?
I like the idea of the rubbermaid containers. Very simple and inexpensive. Well, if you go to closeout stores that sells those containers.
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Sept 8, 2004 17:54:17 GMT -8
Actually, I did have sand in one of my playgrounds for a while and the gerbils loved it, but sand is heavy and I have to be able to move the playgrounds around. You wouldn't believe how small a 50# bag of sand is. The playground I used sand in weighed about 100#, so I switched to corncob. The gerbils can still dig and now I can lift the playground.
RW
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Post by sweetie on Sept 8, 2004 21:19:57 GMT -8
Hey Cinny,
Play time depends on your gerbils. Their natural sleep wake cycle is every 2-4 hours. They sleep then they are awake. I would think that an hour is not too long. I let mine run free for any where from 1-3 hours. I have a water bottle that hangs from a oasis metal holder and I make sure there is food if they are going to be out longer than an hour. If you notice your gerbils sleeping or not moving it is probably becuase it is their normal sleep time. IF you keep them in the balls all the time, I would not keep them out longer than an hour unless they have food and water.
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Post by cinnycinnamon on Sept 9, 2004 2:44:29 GMT -8
Hi Sweetie,
Thank you for your advice. Sounds good to me. At least now, I have a better idea.
One more thing......do you suggest everyday play or every other day? I try to get mine to play everyday. Unless, I don't have the time.
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Post by sweetie on Sept 9, 2004 11:26:48 GMT -8
Cinny, I used to do every day but every other is okay. Every other day seems to work well with mine. They get so much excercise the next day they just chill out. If you have time every day that is great! If you don't have time don't feel guilty!! . As long as thier houses have enough "toys" or chew things to keep them occupied you won't need to let them out every day.
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Post by cinnycinnamon on Sept 9, 2004 12:40:31 GMT -8
Hey Sweetie, Thanx for replying back to me again. Your reply makes sense and I think that's what I'll start to do from now on and not worry so much about them being able to get everyday to play. It's gonna be a rough few days though as we start moving to our house this week and next. I hope they will be okay......better get to the pet store and buy some more toys for them. They seem to like bird ladders to chew on the best outta all the toys I've bought them. Hmmm.....maybe I should also look into making their toys?? I have everybody under the sun saving their tp and paper towel rolls along with kleenex boxes. Cindy
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Post by sweetie on Sept 9, 2004 17:30:35 GMT -8
Hey Cinny,
I hope your move goes well. They should do well. They are quite inquisitive creatures. Remember to be careful of direct sunlight!!! I don't believe they like it much. Also if you have a tank, it will heat up quickly.
Have fun in your new home!!
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Post by cinnycinnamon on Sept 9, 2004 18:11:46 GMT -8
Thanx Sweetie! The plan is to be in the house by next Friday. Oh definately no sun! I want to set up the tanks somewhere out in the open so that they will be able to interact with us. I had people tell me to put them in the guest bedroom, but that's not fair to them cuz then they would be all alone except for when I play with them. Sometimes I just don't get people. I guess some people just don't get our four legged friends.
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Post by j on Sept 13, 2004 22:13:52 GMT -8
I think bathtubs are way too small. The only thing they can do is run back and forth and stand up at the sides trying to figure a way out. That's not playing. That's "where the heck am I, how do I get out of here" behaviour. Same with rubbermaid containers, fill it with sand and they'll roll in it to take a bath and then dig to try and find a way out.
I think they need space to be able to act like gerbils and explore and run back and forth. Tunnels to explore, boxes to climb in and out of. My gerbs ping from wall to wall and through huge carpet roll/tubes when I let them loose.
I know some people's houses aren't gerbilproof, but I still think if you're going to go through the bother of buying plastic containers/rubber maid types, better off covering it with mesh, putting a hole in it, connect it with tubes to the tank and let them have exercise a few times a day going back and forth..not just when you want to take them out a few times a week. I think they should be able to roll around in the sand whenever they want too..also mine sleep in it for some reason. I only added a couple small containers to my tank, and one of my gerbils lost a little weight. Didn't even change anything aboutthe food which I refill once a week. They've been running through the tubes instead of just digging and chewing in the tank.
Sorry, not trying to piss anyone off or anything. Just my opinion.
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Post by skippetyhop on Sept 14, 2004 15:05:58 GMT -8
The wee playgrounds look cool I'd love to make a big maze for my gerbils but don't know what to make it out of... they chew EVERYTHING. They normally get out in our conservatory. Its the place with the least wires and we have an old house with lots of holes in the walls but not in that room. Theres a couch in it which i sit on while they run about and they run up my leg to join me on the couch! And there is a big mountain of sleeping bags which they love to run up and onto the window sill =) I let them out in the living room a few times, when my folks were out But one of them chewed the speaker wire to my dad's stereo Thankfully he blamed it on this tiny wee field mouse which runs about our house at night and looks like it couldnt hurt a fly. Hehe.
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