Help - my gerbils are fighting

[papillionmagique]

I have three 9/10 moth old females who have been getting on fine for the past 8 months. Yesterday evening I noticed Astrid and Holly start fighting.

They are being very vocal, and Holly is chasing Astrid. Neither of them have any wounds yet, but I'm worried in case the fighting escalates. They haven't got into a ball fight, more like pushing and shoving, and not letting the other go past them. Astrid is now sleeping in another area on her own.

I am wondering if I should seperate them and then try reintroducing them. But if I do this, where should I put Starla, the other gerbil? She hasn't been fighting with either of the others.

I have never been able to tell which of the three was dominant/submissive, and I can't tell what might have triggered off the argument.

Please, does anyone have any suggestions? I've never had problems with any of my other gerbils, and I just don't know what to do!

[doomgerbiluk]

always difficult this one
If they are on heat then it could be jsut that, but there is a high risk of declanning and serious injury. I think this is going to be up to you to judge but if it declanning you will have to seperate. The 3rd gerbil will have to go with one or other and again its your judgement who she will best with.

[papillionmagique]

Thanks for the advice. Things seem to have calmed down, but I'm keeping an eye on them, just in case.