I want to put pups with adults.

[TensionAndTheSpark]

Hi. I have five 2 year old males (brothers, 2 different litters) in a 55 gallon tank. They've been having problems every now and then over the past few months. It escalates and then things calm down for a while. I'd like to remove the dominant one since it is always him picking on someone new. I think he would be better off in a smaller group.

I just realized a gerbil I recently got at the petshop is pregnant. Depending on how many boys there are, I'd like to add them to my 55gallon. I figure around 5 weeks old, depending how healthy they are and how they're doing with weaning, I'd like to add them. And at the same time, remove the dominant one.

Would it be better to put the dominant one with 2 pups instead of someone in the tank with him now? I figure with a pup, the pup will grow up knowing he's dominant and be less likely to fight him on it. A few with him now seem to be more scared of him. I know they'll be fine for another few weeks though.

And is it OK to have a female about 5 months old have a litter with a 2yrold female in the tank with her? I've heard different things about having a mother+pups and another adult female in the tank.

thanks

[whitmoregirl]

Hmm.. that's a tough one.

I've never owned male gerbils but people have said how aggressive they can be when their social order is disrupted.

Personally, I would not advise putting a dominant male in with two younger gerbils as he may fight them to prove his dominance, and the four others in the 55 gallon may begin fighting even more when their pecking order is disrupted by removing the male and adding more younger ones.

Don't get me wrong, I mean, it could work, but I'm just thinking that mebbe the little ones could get harmed, or even killed, by the older males.

Best not to do anything until someone like doomgerbiluk or Sandy or RyanF or even Peter to respond.
They know a helluva lot more than me!
(Message them if you really are stuck )

[doomgerbiluk]

This ones tricky
I would be cautious on 2 notes
He may bully the pups
If he doesnt they may grow up to challenge him and you could ahve issues then.
That said it is definitely easier to intorodue males to new gerbils than females.
I think I'd want to split tank at first, or at least have one ready.

As for the females. it can be fine with the other female acting as aunty tot he pups, but it can result in disaster, with her destroying the pups. Again having the option to split cage would be best.

[TensionAndTheSpark]

Hmm but if I remove the dominant male and someone else, the clan ordinance is going to screw up anyway. If I screw up and put the wrong gerbil with him thats going to suck too. Like I said, most seem to be afraid of him. When he's on one of his rampages, everyone else hides while 1 other is getting chased and mounted. Sounds like a no-win situation.

And adults are the easiest to introduce to pups that young because of the no scent/sexual maturirty age thing.

[TensionAndTheSpark]

Oh and the other 4 don't fight with eachother. I have to remove the dominant every now and then for like a night, even a day or 2 in the past because of how he gets. The others are completely fine and much happier without him. Funny too, when I do put him back he actually appreciates them more.

[whitmoregirl]

Hmmm... if you do go ahead with this, please please please be careful.
Wire mesh method and such.

Actually, if the dominant one appreciates the others when he is reintroduced after a while alone, maybe you should separate him a few days before hand so he is grateful for other gerbil company.

But you should definately keep a close eye on him. He might be so dominant that he can't live with other gerbils, which is a sad idea, but if he's putting the other's at risk, well, there's no other alternative.