>>>New gerbil keepers get the idea that breeding is fun, and that shipping
>>>all over the continent is a way to deal with excess pups. Don't you
>>>think they should hear in GML that there are two sets of opinions about
>>>that? That they should hear both sides of the issues?>>
I totally agree Bill. New gerbil keepers and those who decide to breed need
to hear both sides of the issue. However, this list constantly fighting
over it isn't going to help newbies at all. I know when I got my first
"neato-colored" pair (well, two pairs..) from Elizabeth, they were shipped
to me...that's how I get ALL my gerbils, because Eau Claire, WI is a sucky
place to be to get newer colors. I learned about shipping from Elizabeth,
and then decided that I could breed, and ship if I wanted to. (I shipped
once, then decided I'd rather place my gerbils locally, only because I had
troubles with my mom havnig to take the gerbils. When I can drive I will
probably start shipping again). So, yes, people need to know the info on
shipping, but can we help them learn that without fighting over it?
>>>>As to Paige's post that seems to say gerbils will breed no matter what
>>>>-- I don't follow her logic. Gerbils don't breed if they are kept in
>>>>same-sex pairs. We humans control that.>>>
Okay, THIS I have firsthand experience on. It's a PAIN to split pairs,
introduce female to female, male to male, and make new pairs from your
breeding pairs simply because you can't handle it. It's also mean to split
gerbils from their mates, esp. if they have been with their mates for a long
time. (My gerbil Margo became very violent after I split her from her
mother when mamma had some "accidental" babies, and I'm now trying to put
them back together) Paige is right, a pair of gerbils can have 20 + babies
in two months. It depends on the gerbil. Some people rely on shipping to
help with population control.
~Tasha~
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