split cage failed again :\

[lizzy]

ok.
i've been trying to introduce sassy and katy, adult females, for weeks now.
first time didn't work, ball fight, sassy's nose got hurt.
i put them in seperate cages and waited till sassy's nose healed.
about 2 weeks ago i put them back in the split cage, switching them over every few hours etc.
took the divider away, fight again. this time they got into a really tight ball fight and katy had a cut on her belly before i managed to wrench them off each other (wearing gloves, luckily).
now they're in seperate cages again, i'll put them in a split cage when i get back off my holidays next tuesday. but is there still a chance of it working after its failed twice already? (even though they probably wouldn't remember) maybe i should try for like, a month next time?
i was going to try the water intro method, but then i heard that gerbils getting wet would really get them stressed out and lose trust etc.
thoughts/advice? thanks

[doomgerbiluk]

gerbils hate water
i know they say gerbils have short (3 day) memories but I found that after a fight the memories last much longer
1 male of mine can't stand black or black spotted gerbils after he suffered severely in a fight!!!
I would doubt the intro is going to work i'm afraid although an extended (1-2 month) period might work.

[sweetie]

Hey,

I think that females are much harder to introduce. You could try an extended split cage changing the gerbils 4 times a day instead of every few hours. I think that changing them every few hours stresses them and they get the other gerbils scent which reinforces the aggitation. I changed mine in the morning, atlunch time, at dinner time and then at bed time. I did not give them any sand either. This way they smelled like the other one.

The theory of the water is that is does stress the gerbils. The stress is supposed to assist them in bonding together instead of fighting each other. Almost like if you and some one experience a traumatic event together, you are now bonded by the stressfull event. You both have a shared experience.

You are correct the water does stress them but won't kill them (unless the water is too deep). The gerbils are so worried about the water, and get so exhausted, they just want to sleep after. The gerbils are less concerned with each other as they are of the water.

I don't think that the gerbils will hold it against you if you decide to do that. If you use a tube instead of your hand, they won't get your scent.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[sandy2]

I've had adult female gerbils that never can accept another partner.

I've also had adult gerbils that just HATE each other and won't pair up, no matter what.

My rule is, if they don't split cage after a month of trying, I give it up and try with other gerbils or leave them be in a split-cage. They still get some companionship that way, but can't eat each other.

I haven't tried the water method yet.

Each to his own, I guess.