|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 7:30:08 GMT -8
A couple days ago Nees chewed through some wire mesh I didn't think she could chew through and escaped. I kind of think she's not coming back. She was my favorite of the two, and I'm left with Goat-- a 6 month old female who has always been untrusting and maybe a little neurotic. She and Nees had one near declanning about a month ago, which I managed to stop.
Nees nearly died right after I bought her, then I discovered that Nees was a girl and had to take her brother back to the shop, and Goat was never as friendly with Nees as her brother was. All of this plus Nees's disappearance have left me feeling very discouraged and sad. I'm afraid that if I try to get another female to introduce to Goat, Goat will never accept her, but I can tell Goat is already feeling depressed and scared by being alone. To make matters worse, I'm leaving in 3 weeks for a 2-week Christmas break, and had planned to leave the gerbils with a friend. I am reluctant to saddle my friend with one depressed neurotic gerbil or two gerbils who feel like killing each other, but it is impossible to take the gerbils with me. So, to recap: one slightly unfriendly 6-month old female gerbil, one very depressed gerbil owner, and an approaching Christmas break. I'm thinking I have no choice but to try to introduce another female to Goat, though I almost feel guilty bringing another living being into this crappy situation. I really don't know what to do. Please advise! thanks, Devun
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 7:33:11 GMT -8
there's only one "p" in "poopy" mr. automatic censor. I didn't even use a very bad word for poop!!
|
|
|
Post by paws on Nov 28, 2004 8:11:36 GMT -8
Oh.... I'm sorry! :'(You could get a pup, and split cage them maybe until you come back? I'm doing that with mine momentarily. To make a split, use screen, take the measurements of cage and use them on a wood frame. working on mine now!
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 10:22:44 GMT -8
Yes, I guess I'll buy another female and see if they can get along. The problem is, what if they don't get along? What will I do with them then? Is it possible for a gerbil to live by herself happily?
|
|
|
Post by paws on Nov 28, 2004 10:24:31 GMT -8
well, I think you could have them split forever. I'm may be doing that.... i'm, sooooooo worried about my pup since he was attacked.
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 10:30:05 GMT -8
are two gerbils split forever happier than one gerbil living totally alone?
|
|
|
Post by paws on Nov 28, 2004 10:37:49 GMT -8
I'll say!
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 14:23:44 GMT -8
what do you guys think the chances are of a successful introduction now that goat is 6 months old??
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 14:33:16 GMT -8
also, I read in another post about introducing an adult female to a new friend, that maybe it's best to get two young females because if the intro doesn't work, at least they can live together?? Would three females possibly work? Also, one of you said that your petshop let you take your gerbil in to see if she got along with any of the pups. Do you think I could try that? Also, do you think that I should try to get a new friend as soon as possible, or would waiting a while be ok? I was thinking of going to the petstore tomorrow. Please help! thanks!
|
|
|
Post by RyanF on Nov 28, 2004 16:55:34 GMT -8
I'm sorry to hear about Nees. Look ALL OVER for her!! You will find her! Unless she went down the AC/heater vent like my Sandy did..
|
|
|
Post by devun on Nov 28, 2004 17:38:04 GMT -8
I found a hole in the floor that goes into a sub-basement, a boiler room, and even has a way to get outside. I think she found that too... I'm going to try to introduce goat to another female tomorrow unless somebody thinks it's a bad idea...
|
|
|
Post by queenofthenile on Nov 28, 2004 20:44:47 GMT -8
I would go with only one young female. Since Goat is fairly territorial, I wouldn't suggest split-caging her with two gerbils. If you find that they are fighting before you leave on holidays, just set them up in a temporary split-cage while your gone.
|
|
|
Post by paws on Nov 28, 2004 22:54:50 GMT -8
BOILER ROOM?
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Nov 29, 2004 2:59:36 GMT -8
Not a room, where she will be boiled! ;D Just the room with the device in it which is called a boiler to heat the water you use! Devun, sorry to hear!
|
|
|
Post by paws on Nov 29, 2004 6:09:09 GMT -8
Oh, OK! Poor Nees.
|
|