|
Post by malabui on Jun 21, 2005 7:16:31 GMT -8
There is a lone gerbil I want to try and introduce with my other 3 gerbils. They are all2-3 months old and male. Is it worth trying to do and is there a good sucess rate?
|
|
|
Post by RyanF on Jun 21, 2005 7:21:31 GMT -8
Yes, I think it's possible. Try the split-caged method where they are in the same tank but have a divider between them so they can sniff each other. Change the sides the gerbils are on about 2-3 times or more per day. In a few days/weeks it might be worked out.
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 21, 2005 7:30:45 GMT -8
ah, thank you. The lone gerbil is currently at a pet shop (on his own) and he has been there for a while and I feel really bad for him, cos I know that If I don't take him, he'll always be in a cage on his own (ah, I'm such a sucker for small cute things!)
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 21, 2005 7:36:27 GMT -8
Is there a quicker/better way of introducing them?
Though I do know that in the group of 3 that I already have, Nutmeg (nutmegish colour) and Dark-Tail (siamese coloured) are brothers and Tip-Ex (Wild Gerbil coloured with white mark around his neck and on face and tail) was introduced to them. Tip-Ex chewed his way to the others... (AWW)
So, I'll try and get this new gerbil tomorrow. Do you think that it will help if I carry him home in a traveling box with the other gerbil's scented bedding in it?
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 0:39:13 GMT -8
Well. I'm off to go and get this new gerbil. I've been up half the night thinking about him, so please wish me luck with the introductions
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 2:42:34 GMT -8
I got the new gerbil who I found out is about 4 months old (and bigger than my others). Hes been accepted by Tip-Ex and Nutmeg, but Dark-Tail is trying to kill him! Help! How can I get Dark-Tail to accept him?
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 22, 2005 4:31:26 GMT -8
That is very hard! And maybe even impossible! Especially when you want to introduce a loner to a existing group of gerbils older than 8-10 weeks.
Did you do the split cage method for 1 or 2 weeks, sometimes a longer period is needed? Probably the one that is still attacking him sees him as an intruder into their territory. They have first to accept each others smell as a part of their territory.
And it might also be that the one attacking (Dark-Tail) was the dominant one! Now the bigger new one might be stronger, so will kick off Dark-Tail of the dominant position! I can imagine that he won't like that! And possibly will not accept it!
Personally I never recommend to introduce a gerbil older than 8 weeks into a existing group of adult gerbils. But I know people who have succeeded with the split-cage method! But than you really need to take the time for it and be patient! Also you need to keep in mind that it is possible that you won't succeed! Than you could make two pairs!
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 4:36:58 GMT -8
I'll keep on trying for today. I don't think that the new one has ever been handled either. The new one (any suggestions on names?) has been trying to make friends... So far they are all fine when there is water (not that much water) in the bath tup (the neutral ground). It is only the loner who is 4 months old. The others are about 2.5 months and mostly haven't yet matured.
|
|
|
Post by southcore on Jun 22, 2005 4:46:57 GMT -8
It sounds as if you were trying to rush things...maybe you should try the split cage method for a week or two as has been suggested.
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 22, 2005 4:52:21 GMT -8
Malabui, did you try the bath method? A small 'island' with the gerbils on it surrounded with water, for example in the bath tub.
I've tried this too, but rarely successfull, on the 'island' they were fine, but back in a cage or tank they started to fight again.
Personally, I would suggest you to use the split cage method for one to several weeks.
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 4:56:28 GMT -8
Yes, I tried the bath method (when the neutral ground didn't work with Dark-Tail)
Currently they are all asleep at one end of the cage. Dark-Tail hasn't curled up with the others, but he is only 1-3 inches away from the othes
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 22, 2005 5:45:46 GMT -8
That they 'accept' each other so fast is not very common. With 'neutral ground' you mean a tank or cage that is unfamiliar to all of them? Or something else? If they are sleeping almost together, it might turn out well. But keep always a very close eye to them, especially the first week.
If they start fighting, you could use the split cage method. If they don't start fighting, you're lucky!
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 5:55:42 GMT -8
Yes, I will keep an eye on them. The neutral ground was the bath tub (dry) since its sides were too high for them to get out of, none of them know it and if I need to it is easy to separate them.
Currently there is some squeaking, but I think that is because someone is laying on someone elses tail. The older one just seems (now) to want to make friends and live with other gerbils again.
I will keep a close watch on them this week, but I hope that it turns out ok.
|
|
SuperGirlH
Member
Are you lookin' at me punk?
Posts: 299
|
Post by SuperGirlH on Jun 22, 2005 8:38:24 GMT -8
What color is your new gerbil?
|
|
|
Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 12:36:46 GMT -8
The new gerbil is Nutmegish in colour, unfortunatly the exact same colour as Nutmeg so when Nutmeg grows, its going to be harder to tell the difference.
Currently they haven't had another fight since last time I posted (though my fingers are still sore, especially where the new one bit on a finger joint but I was splitting up a fight and I don't think that my new one has been handled before, but he is bold)
Nutmeg currently wont go near the new gerbil and hides, but squeaks rude things when he is near, Tip-Ex carries on with is normal life and even Dark-Tail has been good. But hopefully things will fall into a routeen in a few days. I think that I might be able to get this to work. Its been OK so far and I have been watching them for most of the day, but I still need suggestions for the new one's name...
|
|