>I got a pair of gerbils (male and female) and I'm wondering what to do with
>the cage when they have had their pups. Because you have to clean the cage
>when it gets too dirty, and I have read that you are not supposed to move
>the mother and her pups. So, how do I clean the cage?
If she is starting to get large, then clean the cage (before she
has them). Then you can wait for a few weeks after she has
had them to clean it again.
Once the eyes are open you can certainly clean the cage completely.
If you miss that the female is getting large and you find pups one
day, then just clean the other end of the cage as needed, as the
parents will eliminate in other places than the nest.
I usually clean a cage about three days before the female is due,
then spot clean the potty corner every few days, and wait until
the pups are being handled (about two weeks old, before eyes
are open) and clean the cage again. Then they get weekly until
the next litter is imminent....
>So should I get another cage or something. Please help.
>
>I also read that you can handle only Mongolian gerbil pups, if they are not
>Mongolian gerbils, then you aren't supposed to handle them or else the
>mother will turn them away. How do I know if I have Mongolian gerbils?
The important thing is not to change the smell of the pups with
another gerbil's scent. If the parents are well tamed, trusting of
you, and you're always handling them, you might be able to handle
the pups right after birth. I usually wait until about 14-15 days, then
start handling and taming them; handling EVERYONE in the cage
including the parents, so they all have the same smell.
Between cages I wash thoroughly to remove any 'unknown' gerbil
smells before the next batch is handled...an unfamiliar gerbil's
smell transferred to a clanned (family) animal will often cause the
others of the group to turn on it and attack.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
