Other introduction methods

[gerbilroo]

Hi,

I was just wondering what other introduction methods (aside from split cage) other people know of or have tried.. (assuming that cage within cage and two cages next to each other are the same)

2 others I've heard of seem rather drastic:

1- The water method - quoted on another list, by someone who had heard positive stories about this working when split cage hadn't.

Basically - you put a shelf in a shallow pool of water (ie a bathtub), and place the gerbils on the shelf - the idea is, that they will fight, but then bond when they start getting wet,,

2- This method sounds horrible, but the same person said she had heard it recommended to beginners (but also said it sounded horrible).

This one, you squish the two gerbils into a cup which they can barely mobve in amd put a lid on it - idea being they get used to the smell, but can't fight!


Any others?

[lizzy]

Um. Number two is horrible.


I tried the water method with 2 of my females and it didn't work any better than the split cage- they got along when they were in/out of the water but not when I put them in the tank. I think it should be used as a last resort considering gerbils really don't like water- I think the only reason my 2 girls didnt fight was because they were so stressed out.

Another simple method I've tried successfully twice is introducing them on neutral territory ie. in a playpen or another cage. This has only worked for me with an adult gerbil and a 6 week old, both males, though.

[whitmoregirl]

gerbilroo said:

This one, you squish the two gerbils into a cup which they can barely mobve in amd put a lid on it - idea being they get used to the smell, but can't fight!

Urgh, no no no no no!!!

This is animal cruelty!!
No one would like to be put in a box with another person and the only way out sealed - this will only stress the animals out more and if, by any way one does manage to get its teeth on the other, could be fatal.

The water method and the split cage method are the only ones so far I've head that have been used successfully (apart from in the odd case like Lizzy's) - so please, never ever use the second method.

[gerbilroo]

whitmoregirl said:

Urgh, no no no no no!!!

This is animal cruelty!!
No one would like to be put in a box with another person and the only way out sealed - this will only stress the animals out more and if, by any way one does manage to get its teeth on the other, could be fatal.
.

my thoughts exactly - the person on th yahoo group who mentioned it, said the person who told her it said that the method was kinder than the split tank - because it was over quicker

[RW]

This one, you squish the two gerbils into a cup which they can barely mobve in amd put a lid on it - idea being they get used to the smell, but can't fight!

I read about a variation of this method on another list a while back and I agree--the stress must be tremendous. The person who recommended it said that he'd used it for "hundreds" of gerbils and never had a gerbil get stressed, but I find that hard to believe. I certainly wouldn't try it with any of my gerbils and I wouldn't tell anyone else to, either.

RW

[callimico]

I use neutral territory intro for pups.

usually in a large clean bin with thick layers of hay and aspen so they have to "wade" around unable to chase each other or get tense. After awhile they pack it down, but for hte inital start it works great, I sprinkle oatmeal around to for them to forage and keep them occupied, but don't place toys in for half an hour or so until they're used to each other and no one gets cornered up, and I make sure there's only 1 logical sleeping spot. I just used it today to introduce all 8 of my male pups to each other, from 4 different litters ages 5-7 weeks old. Everyone was to occupied with their new surroundings to check scents and after an hour or so piled up together to sleep, but I usually don't do neutral territory intros for females past 8 weeks of age, or groups, except in very rare instances where I know it'll work out.

Split-cage: I usually use this method, for breeding pairs usually it's only necessary for a couple days (probably neutral would have worked) but I'd rather be on the safe side, if they don't look ready to be introduced I keep them together for a week or two. I've never had a failed intro with a split-cage, sometiems I remove the barrier, if I think the reaction will be tense I have the inital intro on neutral territory (ie: bathtub, new tank)

Water Method- I've never had to use it as split-cage and neutral have always worked well for me, but in a case where I couldn't intro say 2 lone females I'd try it in hopes of finding each a companion. I know of about half a dozen successful water-method intro's, most of the time the gerbils don't even get wet. I know it's never failed while they were in the tub, but like Lizzy said some people have some tense moments once hteir back in a tank.

Small Space Method- it's just cruel. I've heard of taking a mug and jamming the two in and quickly taping chicken wire over the top so they can't get at one another, on another forum a guy was suggesting it was the "modern" technique and soon everyone will use it. But it's just unbelievably stressful, I think it would be a more scaring experience and the least likely to keep a bond between the two, as they were crammed and terrified by one antoher for hours. I just feel bad for the gerbils who have gone threw this...

I know people use scents for different methods
(like putting drops of talc or vanilla extract on scent glands to conceal the individuals identity and also make the smell the same, until they're used to one another, theory is as they groom each other and the scent wears off they'll gradually grow accustomed to one anothers true scents). Sometimes it's the only method used, sometimes it's used along with split-cage or water intro to make the introduction easier.

Then some people(namely petstores) just do the "drop the new ones in with the old and see what happens" which can get gory

I've heard of another method which involved "scaring" the gerbils so they were huddled together for a couple hours seeking comfort from each ohter and that "bonded" them, I can't remember how it goes, which is a good thing I guess. I would never recommend a method that causes so much stress to a gerbil for intro techniques.

only 4 are acceptable in my book:
1) Split-cage
2) Neutral Territory Intro (as 2 individuals, or groups of young pups only)
3) Water Method (as a last resort)
4) Covering Scent Gland (when used with one of the above methods)

[gerbil]

I have introduced two females together by holding both in my hand and letting them sniff eachother (even if they get bored and turn away) and holding them really close on my arms for about an hour.. I basically tire them out and they will automatically sleep when put in the same cage.
This is a last resort, because it's bores you and the gerbils and the gerbils can get lots of stress during this procedure.
I was really desperate.

[sandy]

I have had 2 females attack each other in my hands, I recommend you don't try it as you might get a finger between them and get bit. Stick with split-caging is my advice.

[gerbilsrgreat]

gerbilroo said:

This one, you squish the two gerbils into a cup which they can barely mobve in amd put a lid on it - idea being they get used to the smell, but can't fight!

Insane.

-Jeremiah

[RitzieAnn]

I got my girls together by putting all 5 of them into one of those little 2 gallon critter carriers. They could still walk around, but it was a little more room. They CERTIANLY had LOTS more room than a cup! I'd never try a cup! (even though mine pile into a cup on their own.

I've got my most recent dad split caged with 6 boys. OUCH! I was using the side wire pannels from a Critter Trail 2 as the split part, and Blitz (the recent daddy) tor off the ends of the other boy's tails! I'm not kidding! Bubba (A HUGE black gerbil) has his full length, but only half of it has hair on it. I cleaned out the cage with HOT water and some soap, and I found his tail, but it was hollow, as the bone is still attached to him. And poor Sparky (how grew up with Blitz) has no white tuft anymore. Every one has a bite on their tail! I feel sooo bad! I fixed the split cage, and cut a piece of hardware clothe to it fit inside of the tank, so now tails can't get into Blitz's side, but they can still sniff and I do mix the bedding around so that they get a good mixture of each other's smells.

It was easier to get my girls to pair up (Nuteral territory, in a small cage) They really didn't care! Of course, the problem child, Little B, had to live in a little cage on her own for a few days, because she was mean, so she was CRAVING gerbil company. But they didn't really care, and they're still together a month later. I've heard that it's the girls that are hard to clan up. My BOYS are giving me a heck of a time! Have you guys seen Keebler's thread?!?!?! (Keebler will NEVER have a buddy!)

But, how old are the gerbils you're trying to get together?

[SuperGirlH]

I've never heard of the 'water method'... can someone explain?

[sabarika]

I use neutral territory. A dry bathtub works. Just introduce them there, unless of course you've let one play in it before.

[lizzy]

supergirlh said:

I've never heard of the 'water method'... can someone explain?

Its basically when you fill a bathtub with about 1-2 inches of water and put a brick/wood/an "island" on it, out of the water. Put the two females in. they won't like the water and will try to get on the island. if they fight, they will fall off the island.

[RitzieAnn]

I used the water method to pair up my 7 males. It worked until an hour after they had dried off, then there was screaming, but no actual fighting, but I was tired, and split them up so I could go to bed. But it worked really well for the amount of time I used it!

[whitmoregirl]

Fortunately I've never had to split cage or water method but I will if I breed Kess as she's already in a cage withy two other females I introduced her to when they were around seven - eight weeks old. A few sniffs and that was it.