|
|
Post by iamthegolden1 on May 31, 2004 19:15:17 GMT -8
I have brought home a new gerbil today. His name is Badger and he is probably 4-6 months old. I was introduced to him at the pet store today after the guy in charge of the small animals saw my interaction with the gerbils they had out on display. I told him I had a lone male gerbil at home and wanted to pair him up. Digger, our first gerbil who is about 6 months old seems lonely. I did a split cage set up for them and they seemed very interested in one another. My husband not knowing anything about gerbils (dosen't even like them) said aw heck hunny just let them loose. I did. Digger went straight for Badger sniffing and investigating. They seemed real good together for awhile, then the pecking order business started. I let this continue, closely monitored, for about an hour. They broke into 3 scuffles when ever they thought I wasn't looking. These were quickly stopped by myself. Digger seemed to be doing okay and was cornering Badger who would cower and obey Digger but the fighting would still break out. I put a toy in the cage and during a scuffle Digger managed to cut his foot. I took him out put Neosporin on the cuts and found a small cut in his ear. Digger and Badger are in seperate living environments but I would love to have them together. Is there any hope? Can I try the split cage method with them again or will they always fight? I will not trust them alone but is there a point I could and what are the signs? Thank you for any help or suggestions. Oh, by the way, I don't think they are both of the same breed. I know my Digger is a Mongolian Desert Gerbil but I am not sure about Badger. He seems very large and his markings are odd. I will have to try and get him to pose for a pic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 1, 2004 5:19:23 GMT -8
I would recommend the splitcage again, but when introducing you need to give them a lot of hiding places and hay, toys, etc. That works for me anyway. And when you use a hiding place with a very small opening like the flowerpot in the middle (below here), than they can hide and exclude the other.  Sometimes they even fight because they are affraid of the other. This way they can meet each other on their own speed. |
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 1, 2004 5:37:50 GMT -8
Oh and I know from others also another method! That is the bath method: make an "island" (bricks, box, etc.) in water (not deep: 3-5 cm) and place the gerbils on the island. When they fight they will fall into the water and will stop right away. Keep in mind that the temperature need to be warm (not cold water too). And dry them afterwards.
BTW, be patient with the splitcage method. Sometimes you need to do it 2 weeks or even longer.
|
|
|
|
Post by iamthegolden1 on Jun 1, 2004 20:09:10 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice so far. I am going to build my own split cage aperatus tomarrow. Badger seems very content in his new home and has built several tunnels. I gave him a pop tart box today to chew and hide in. Digger is mad as a hornet and wont allow me to hold or love him today but I just continue to talk to him first and give him his food and treats before Badger. There houses are pretty close together so I think Digger knows I am only trying to give him a new friend. My daughter is pretty angry that Badger is in the "penthouse" (the 30 gal tank) and Digger is still in his old 1 bedroom efficiency ( a small critter tail cage), so I explained to her that after Diggers trauma that he needed to have something familiar and comforting with the house he has been in for several months now. I will continue to update my progress with the boys and will hopefully have a good outcome. My other option at this point is give each of them a female and allow them to mate. This will mean an additional 30 gal aquarium but I can hopefully find another one second hand. I was able to find out that Badger is a spotted slate from another web site. Any suggestions on colors of females I should look for to mate him with to have pretty babies? Digger is a silver jade. I love my babies and just want them happy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 2, 2004 4:36:19 GMT -8
If I were you I would not buy a golden agouti if you want more colours! Because if it won't possess any recessive colour genes you will have pups that are all golden agouti. You can buy a slate, than the pups will be probably slates and spotted slates (depends on which recessive genes it has).
Or for example a Polar Fox with Aa! You have many options. And when you buy it from a breeder you ussually know what genetics the new one will have, so that you can predict the colours of the pups for a bit.
|
|
