Group intros

[lizzy]

My friend Jes bought 4 gerbils (all sisters) together last July. One of them died from an unexpected illness.
The petstore we both work at, some people brought their two gerbils because they said they were "aggressive" - they're not, just unused to being handled.
Anyway, we worked out that they were from the same litter, or at least were cagemates at one point in time because the customer said that she'd bought them at a similar time, and Jes remembered them.
She decided to take them both home and see if they'd go in with her other three. I was skeptic and thought that naturally it wouldn't work.
But it did, she let them run around for a bit all together and there was no fights at all, a couple of them chased each other around and puffed up a bit but that was it. Two weeks later they're still living quite happily together in the same tank.
I'm confused. I thought there was no chance of 2 groups of females getting together? And how come hers can go together so easily but if I let mine run around together (through a divider) they get so angry?

[doomgerbiluk]

Lizy, simple answer, luck
Gerbil have different temperaments, just like humans. Direct intros are always a gamble but can work. For instance, I'd been planning to pair my eldest gerbil, Vladimir, with a slate girl (she's his great granddaughter and should carry great modfiers for mottled as her mum was outbred to another breeders gerbil). The intro went great , with minor disagreements but nothing nasty, this despite the fact Vladimir is sore and upset after being kicked out of his own colony by one of his sons (long story, my fault) .
Fingers crossed for great pups !!!

Just remember, all gerbils and all intros are different.

[queenofthenile]

How old are the gerbils? I always caution that although the group is getting along now, there is likely to be spats in the future, especially if introduced when they are older.

[sweetie]

I agree every situation is different. My 2 clanned females were totally opposed to a split with a new female. They were about 5 months old. Did you say she has 5 girls together?

It must have been luck or that they established dominance quickly and there are no males present. I would caution her to watch for declanning behavior. Also ensure that they have enough space in the house/tank.