Hi Gerbils lovers, Excuse me first for my poor english ... but i will try to not be too bad ! I am always surprized by some problems who concern some breeders. As all the breeding animals, Gerbils are not since many generations wild animals. They can't be treated with the original specificities. We have to use special dispositions to keep them in good health. All the following things are my opinion and must be look as this ... - the house (cage) : i think all the breeders must keep their gerbils in aquarium tank. That is the better solution : easy to clean, can be putted near the floor without fresh air problem, good system to have a physical fence against epidemic illness, light can be use as hot system to keep a low variation temperature during winter in some areas, allow to avoid projection of particules outside the cage (contamination) etc ... Tanks for 3 or 4 gerbils is 120 liters (you will transform in gallons !), and tanks for 2 is 80 liters ones. - games : some people have long thoughts about activities of gerbils. They always want gerbils have more physical activities and want to use wheels, multi-floors system etc ... Gerbils have a nice life with 3 or 4 groups well-composed. Their group activities are enough for them ! All this kind of objects are TOYS ! Gerbils are not childrens ! They like to destroy them ! A single cardboard roller or things as this give better results than complex objects !. - illness : the best strategy is to try to use system to not have to fight again epidemies ! Use elements of intensive breeding (as laboratories :o( ....), because they can't have epidemic problems ! When you move the individuals from a tank, use instant hand sanitizer (Gojo mark is a very well-known one in laboratories). They allow to kill 99,99 of germs in 15 s ! You will not have risk to transmity pathogen germs to others ! That is one of a major explaination for epidemy in your population ! Other good strategy is to use preventive antibiotic treatment mixed with the food ! I used this technic with Discus fishes since long years ago and i adapted it to gerbils ... with perfect results ... very beautiful individual gerbils, strong, and with no illness ! I am searching too for 3 lilac gerbils (2 M + 1 F) from different sources. Love them more and more .... hi from Titan, Dion�e, Kh�ops, Kephren, Mik�rinos, Japet, T�thys, and 17 others ! Kh�ops and Dion�e are pregnant ! :o) Bye List Olivier (Menton, France)
