> george champlin wrote:
>
> > I want to know if after the female is pregnant can you
> > take the male out of the cage? I want to breed but i
> > do not want to get into a vicious cycle of having too
> > many gerbils. I will only sell to owners not somone
> > who wants my gerbils as food for their snakes
> >
> > =====
> > GEOCHAMP
> >
>
> Definitely not! While a female can usually raise litters on her
> own, it will be very stressful for her. If you want to breed, you
> must be ready for the 4-7 babies they're likely to have every
> month/every other month.
>
> Paige
>
I agree that Paige has a point, that the gerbie dad plays an important
role in raising the pups. HOWEVER, it is possible to make sure the
gerbie mom has help with the pups, while not continuing to breed.
Gerbils will mate as soon as a litter is born, so if you can handle two
litters from a pair, remove "Dad," with one of the male pups for
company, once the first litter is weaned (around 5-6 weeks). "Mom" will
probably have another litter shortly thereafter. Keep one of her female
pups from the first litter with her (remove the other pups); "Big Sis"
will help with the little ones.
Having said this, I will also say that it's usually recommended by the
membership of this list that a gerbil pair, pets or breeders, be kept
together for life. Gerbils do bond to their cagemates, whether same or
opposite sex, and they're happier if they're kept with their buddies.
=====
Julie & Michael (homo sapiens)
Alex P. Kitten & The Little Rascal (felis catus)
Reebo & Zooty; Pippin & Sparky; Bossy, Baby, & Goldie (meriones unguiculatus)
<Two humans with 2 cats and SEVEN gerbils>
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