Heya guys,
OK it's now 22nd of September, over a month since we last saw our gerbils
mating and still no pups. The female has been plumper than usual for the
last 2 weeks or so (Doesnt seem to be fat, it's fairly firm, like muscle).
We took her to the vet and she was fairly confident that she was pregnant.
The last time we saw them mating was on August 19th, how long can the
females delay becoming pregnant for? Surely she should have had them by
now?
Thanks,
Tony P
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony P" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Concerns over pregnant gerbie
> Hi Deb,
>
> Thanks for the reply...
>
> > Are you absolutely certain that she didn't take on that date
> > and came into cycle again and was rebred later?
> >
> > 24-28 days is typical. No worry time yet.
>
> I'm 85% confident, because we saw them mating on and off for about 2 days,
> and either myself or my partner have been in the same room for 98% of the
> time since (They're in our bedroom, one or both of us are usually working
on
> our PCs).
>
> > Or she has problems, miscarries early, or the pair (one or both)
> > destroy the pups from stress before you find them. There are
> > some pairs that the female goes fat, thin, fat, thin, and pups are
> > never seen....and it ends up that she is having litters in the wee
> > hours and either she or her mate are destroying them right away
> > from stress (one case the male was quite elderly and just
> > would freak out and munch the litter).
>
> I'm almost certain this hasn't happened, really because we haven't found
> *any* signs of blood in the cage, and their droppings are normal etc.
(She
> also seems fairly plump still)
>
> > In the last 24 hours or so she will usually spend a LOT of time
> > and energy on nestbuilding. A very lavish and large nest....
>
> This could be tricky, as she nearly *always* has a large nest. Though in
> the last week she has been making closed top nests on a more regular
> basis... but then the weather has been cooler lately....
>
> >
> > Patience. :)
>
> All in all she seems a lot drowsier than normal, plus she seems to be
> hanging around with my partner (who is also female btw) a lot, which she's
> done before, but not with this intensity.
>
> Is there any end to the joy? ;)
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Tony P
