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Post by lucy2 on May 18, 2004 14:14:43 GMT -8
Hello, I bought two gerbils (sisters Buffy and Britney) just over a year ago and sadly Britney has died today due to either a tumour or twisted bowel  They were very fond of each other and I don't want Buffy to be lonely. Buffy was the dominant one of the pairing and is very large. I would be very grateful for any advice on the best way of introducing a friend for Buffy. I also have a group of three females (also sisters) in another cage who are about 6 months, but am not planning to try to introduce any of them, as I don't want to split them, and doubt it would work anyway as they are much smaller than Buffy. Thanks for any help  Lucy |
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Post by j on May 18, 2004 15:48:32 GMT -8
Size doesn't really matter. Age matters more. 6 months it would be too hard. Especially since you arleady know she's dominant. Try to find a breeder or a petshop that sells really young gerbils. Best around 5 or 6 weeks old because they're still pups and haven't hit sexual maturity yet, so the older gerbil won't attack them because there isn't any scents so nothing to be territorial over. Adults usually accept young pups instantly, without a split cage. But you should do the split cage introduction for a couple days to be on the safe side if you never introduced gerbils before. Links on introducing.. www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/adopt.html#splitwww.petermaas.nl/gerbils/introducing.htm |
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Post by darrenb on May 19, 2004 5:43:46 GMT -8
Yes, I agree make sure the gerbil friend that you try to introduce is as young as possible ,ideally 6-8 weeks old. You should ensure you get two also, i will explain why further down this post..
If you just pop the friends in and she attacks, be warned you will have to separate the gerbils by hand - you may well get bitten ( they wont bite you on purpose its just a reaction ) A fight is when they roll into a ball and they go for the throats, humping and kissing is not fighting.
So yes if you are inexperienced or afraid of this opt for a split cage technique - all you need is to place a sheet of chicken wire diagnally accross a fish tank, slightly harder to adapt for a plastic tank or cage.
Oh yes another point - be aware Buffy may NEVER accept another gerbil due to her age and the fact she was the dominant one, so make sure you get two females to introduce with her, other wise you may end up having 2 female gerbils alone in separate tanks.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on May 19, 2004 6:32:04 GMT -8
I agree with J and Darren, reading your situation I think it is best to introduce 1 or 2 very young gerbils! However, sometimes it will work with one older gerbil, but than you have to be aware that when it fails you end up with two lonely gerbils!! Because it will be impossible to re-introduce that female to the two remaining females of her former group! They won't accept her anymore!
And indeed some gerbils will not accept any new gerbil, however in my experience is this luckely very rare. For example, I have now a male of 4,5, which is very dominant and for him it is impossible to introduce any other gerbil with him. So he need to be alone for the rest of his live! He gets as much attention as I can give him!
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Post by lucy2 on May 20, 2004 3:00:24 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for the advice. We are picking up two female babies tomorrow and using the split cage method. We've got a separate cage for them just in case things don't work out with Buffy. I'll let you know how we get on! Thanks again, it's horrid to see Buffy so sad, hopefully she'll adapt to some new friends! Lucy |
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on May 21, 2004 6:38:54 GMT -8
Great to hear! Keep us updated on how it goes! ;D
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Post by lucy2 on May 26, 2004 2:57:52 GMT -8
Hiya, Just thought I'd let you know how we got on... Our pet shop suggested we brought Buffy in so we could try her with a variety of babies and see who she liked. Amazingly she took instantly to the first gerbil she was put in with, a six week old white pup. They sniffed each other a few times them started grooming each other. Buffy didn't like having a third gerbil added so we decided to see how we got on with just the white pup. We watched them carefully but there have (touch wood!) been no problems. As soon as we got them home they cuddled up to sleep and have been living happily together for nearly five full days. We'll keep a close eye on them but they seem to be fine. Thanks for all the help, I've really appreciated having people to ask about all this! |
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on May 26, 2004 4:26:06 GMT -8
Good to hear that everything went well!! ;D If there were no problems with introducing and they are still doing fine after 5 days, I think you won't have any real problems anymore for now!
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Post by j on May 26, 2004 16:24:08 GMT -8
Great ;D ;D
Ha that's awesome that the petshop let you just bring yours in. Most would've just gave you 2 gerbils and leave it to be your problem.
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