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>Hi list,
>I was just wondering how old gerbils have to be before they are
>able to have babies. I would like to know the age for females
>and how old males have to be before they are able to make
>a female pregnant. Thanx.
>Jocie Kessinger
>The Titan Clan
Six weeks. Period.
I remove the litters after five weeks to six weeks, depending on
when she has her next litter. Usually she's really good at kicking
the older pups away from nursing when the new ones arrive, and
they are weaned within the day as she has cut them off....and I go
by stress of the mother.
Some brats I have had to remove at four weeks and continue to
suppliment feed (KMR mixed with oatmeal or cooked barley
and rice gruel) for another week, gradually offering only solid
regular feed. [they were removed AS A LITTER when the next
litter arrived]
I try to keep them together until 35-42 days, aiming for about 40
days old. At that point I remove the litter and separate by sex,
trying to make sure that the four or five sexings I've done so far
I'm sure of; and making sure that everyone has at least one
littermate. Pairs to be made from this litter for breeding, get
set aside in their own cage immediately (I do not do this often,
preferring to cross with another line versus brother-sister unless
fixing color or pattern), otherwise there are two 'dorms' of all
the boys and all the girls; if I end up with only one of one sex,
then I will usually turn to split caging another solo that needs a
friend or mate and begin that process.
Dorms remain together until about eight weeks otherwise,
getting sexed about four more times (no I do not trust my
sexing on gerbils, I've had too many 'surprises' ! ). They
they are split cage introed to new mates, or find new homes.
In those two weeks I have continued to work on taming, to
make sure they're gentle and nice.
I have had females take at six weeks (42-44 days) if they
were in with their father. It could have been their brothers,
but I usually blame the father....
A young female in with an experienced male can mature
early and come into cycle at six weeks, versus 8-10 weeks
if kept in dorm conditions (with other females). To be safe,
I don't trust it past day 42.
Odds are low at six weeks, especially for inexperienced
young males, but I don't take the chance. The older they
get, the higher the odds are.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch.
