Why is this strange? These are the 2 methiods that are
commonly used. If you are not using these intros how
are you doing it?
I also have a question: This is sorta direected at
Donna of ABC Gerbil cuz i know she has a male tank but
I will be thankfull to anyone how helps. How do you
intro a gerbil to an established group of gerbil? What
ages and sexes work for this? Thanx.
Jocie Kessinger
The Titan Clan
Romeo Delight wrote: In case you didn't know! If you
already have a sexually mature gerbil (older than ten
weeks) the best thing to do is to get a young gerbil
(under seven weeks). With either a mixed age pair (one
sexually mature and one not) or with two fully adult
gerbil, there are two main introduction methods. In
either case, when doing an introduction protect
yourself by wearing gloves. In case of a fight, you
need to break up the gerbils and while they do have
small teeth, those teeth can go fairly deep and it can
be rather painful. Note that gerbil introductions
generally seem to go better if the gerbils have been
somewhat isolated for a little while, so they have
forgotten previous companions and are a bit lonely. Be
aware that some gerbils simply will not accept a
stranger, and if you already have a bonded pair (even
a same-sex pair) it is not recommended to place
another gerbil in with them. Even if you break up the
pair you may not get them to accept another gerbil,
especially one already sexually mature. The most
preferred method is the split-cage. Place an aqariums
divider in the cage to divide it in two. You can find
some in the fish section of some pet stores or make
one yourself out of wire, but the important this is
that scent passes through it but the gerbils do not.
For safety, if you use wire make sure that the
openings are small enough that the gerbils can not
bite at each other's feet if a gerbil is holding onto
the wire. We had a gerbil that ended up missing most
of the toes off her front paws because of this
problem. Leave the gerbils in this split cage for
about a week or so, switching them to the opposite
sides of the cage every day to get them used to the
scent of the new gerbil. After about this much time,
try removing the divider and watch very closely for at
least a half an hour. If everything is going well, you
can relax somewhat, but keep a generally close eye on
them for the rest of the day, just in case. Once
they've snuggled up to each other to sleep, you're
generally out of danger. Another method that sometimes
works is to cover the scents with something strong
like cheap perfume or vanilla. The theory behind this
is to eliminate the "stranger" scent while they adjust
to each other and the new surroundings. The covering
scent wears off gradually and they adjust to the
stranger scent gradually. This method is usually not
preferred as it tends to be less successful, but
sometimes it will work when the split cage method has
failed. I suppose it's a personality difference with
some gerbils. Personally, we have used both methods
with success and with some failure. To use this
method, put he covering scent on the gerbils' nose and
scent mark, and use a recently cleaned cage with no
residual odors or "landmarks" in it -- ie, if one of
the gerbils has been living in the cage, move things
like toys, food dishes, and water bottles around so it
is unfamilar to both gerbils and thus neutral
territory. Again, wear gloves, and keep a very close
eye on the gerbils in case of fights. For this method,
I would recommend extremely close watching for a
longer time, at least an hour, and again keeping an
alert eye out for the rest of the day. Two sexually
immature gerbils can simply be placed in a cage
together. Watch them for twenty minutes or so to make
sure no problems develop and be watchful for the rest
of the day.
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