|
Post by snugglesandcloud on Jul 31, 2004 8:44:04 GMT -8
I don't think my two gerbils will ever get together. I just don't think they get along. I've tried twice more since I last posted to get them together. They will dig and sniff and chew and try to get to each other so I assume they are ready and put them together and they immediately go to fighting in a little ball. This last time I was afraid one of them was hurt because I picked the one up to separate them and one of them had a good grip on the other and the one I wasn't picking up got picked up too and then the hold was released and he dropped. I'm not sure who was biting who. I've pretty much resigned to the fact that they will have to reside apart from now on. Kim
|
|
|
Post by sweetie on Jul 31, 2004 9:32:33 GMT -8
Have you tried to swap bedding? When I introduced the 4 I had, I put the 2 older new ones in a roll around ball and then let the 2 new ones sniff around. Then I cleaned out the houses really good so there was no scent, gave them all the sand baths and after being exhausted, they went back into the clean cages and did very well. They also were 4 months old and it's easier but may be that may help.
|
|
|
Post by j on Jul 31, 2004 10:01:13 GMT -8
lol you sound like me. No patience I think my longest split introduction was about 2 weeks. Another time I did it for 2 days, and switched almost every hour on the dot. And honestly, I've NEVER had a successful split cage introduction that worked. I've had that happen.. you pick up another gerbil and you get the other gerbil hanging. I still got them together a day later though ;D Seriously try these methods.. Takes a few hours, which is better than a week. Put them near you and go online or something ;D Peter's water method.. gerbilforum.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=behaviour&action=display&thread=1079362080I forced my 2 together...(I HATE when you split them, and they stay in opposite corners lol) gerbilforum.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=behaviour&action=display&thread=1083494530If they ever get in a ball fight again or even look like they're going to fight (boxing and the look..)..squeeze water on them from the water bottle!! When you stick your hand in there, they don't know that it's you poking them and grabbing them and NOT the other gerbil..then they bite harder and get more mad. Water - they let go instantly and have a 'what the heck was that' look on their face. ;D
|
|
|
Post by j on Jul 31, 2004 10:03:06 GMT -8
how old are they anyways?
I just thought of something... If you really have given up on these 2 and are going to have to use seperate cages anyway...
You're better off finding babies, around 5-7 weeks old. You can introduce those instantly because they haven't reached sexual maturity yet, so no scents or anything to fight over)
|
|
|
Post by queenofthenile on Jul 31, 2004 22:15:58 GMT -8
Before you give up, can you try a *full* two week split without introducing them? They may just not be ready to be introduced yet. Try two full weeks with switching sides 3 times a day. If that doesn't work, then maybe it's best if they don't live together.
|
|
|
Post by snugglesandcloud on Aug 1, 2004 10:32:35 GMT -8
Ok, here's more info to answer all your questions. One of the gerbils (both are male) is a year and a half old...he'll be 2 in november. The other one is fairly young. I don't know exactly how old. I didn't ask when I bought him. I have done all the switching sides several times a day and all that. I tried new bedding. I also tried spraying them with water when they did fight this last time and they didn't even seem to care. This last time, I hadn't tried introducing for a full week, but maybe I'll try again in two weeks, but I'm really getting sick of switching them around all the time. I'm just afraid one of them will hurt the other one. BTW, the reason I got the new one was because one of them died (I had two brothers from when they were about 11 weeks on and one died so I wanted a buddy for the remaining one). Could he be bitter that his brother is gone??
Kim
|
|
|
Post by snugglesandcloud on Aug 1, 2004 10:42:36 GMT -8
I just read the whole water thing and I'll have to try that. I just have to find something to put in the water. Don't think we have any bricks. I'm too short on money to buy a kritter keeper, but I'll ask my mom and see if she still has the one my sister had her newts in. Then I could try that too. Thanks.
Kim
|
|
|
Post by sweetie on Aug 9, 2004 11:53:56 GMT -8
Snuggles,
Maybe you could try a tupper ware upside down. It does not have to be bricks or trees right? You might also think about an upside down bowl as long as it's not too high or too small.
I also think that is an excellent idea!!! I will keep that in mind if I find a burmese or a siamese I can get my hands on!! LOL
|
|
|
Post by snugglesandcloud on Aug 11, 2004 8:07:55 GMT -8
Thanks sweetie! I will try one of those things. Lord knows I have tons of tupperware. I'm becoming more hopeful. I've noticed they've started sleeping a little closer together. I think I will try the water thing next time I have to clean out their cages. That is if I have time. Busy month. Got my son's birthday coming up. Thanks again. Kim
|
|