Ok, there are mixed views on pine bedding - but I do know this from experience. If you intend to breed, DO change to aspen or some other allergen free bedding. The pups can and most likely will develop respiratory problems so acute that they will die. I'd hate for this to happen to you.
If you're not breeding however, I do have a gerbil that seems to do MUCH better on pine than aspen. Some gerbils may have problems with pine, but others have problems with other kinds of bedding. I say use whatever suits the gerbil best, and is just as easy on your pocket as well. As far as putting the 2 males and 2 females together, I would strongly advise against it, but only from what I've heard from others. I have no first hand experience with such a situation, and I have no care to. If and when one of the females has babies, I would strongly suggest you find another tank to put the other female in, perhaps with one of the males (so she doesn't get lonely), as the non-mother will most likely steal, maim, or destroy the pups of the mother. Of course, if you have no interest in breeding, than I suggest you split them up into same-sex pairs. Even closely related gerbils will breed with one another. Good luck! -Jackie I wanted to tell everyone something. I have been using pine bedding for 4 months now and have had no problems with my gerbils. They also like penuts. I do have a ? though. I put two males and to females together and they get along great but what will happen when they have babies????
