Hello Lynne, Introducing gerbils is a tricky thing that must be done carefully. None of the possibilities you suggest are recommended as female gerbils should be kept in pairs, an established clan cannot be extended, and gerbils do not breed in a "harem" configuration.
As far as the basics of gerbil introductions... Gerbils are a matriarchal society -- so only one adult female to any clan. A pair of female will do well together, but multiple females with a male is a diaster in the making. You can create a large clan of ALL BOYS but you need to either put together a number of young pups or put a nuturing mature male with one or more pups. You cannot merge two clans (that is a adult group of two or more cannot be extended). The only exception is that a male pair *might* accept a pup. You can introduce a single gerbil to a singe gerbil. If they are two girls they should be the same size. If a boy and a girl the boy should be at least as big as the girl. To introduce a single gerbil to a single gerbil, use a "split cage" (divide your tank in two diagonally with sturdy wire mesh that the gerbils cannot go over under or around). Swap them between sides as often as you can. After a week remove the barrier. Wear think glove in case they fight and you need to separate them. Good Luck! Donna ABC Gerbils www.abcgerbils.com PS -- here are more details on introductions using a split cage: http://www.rodent.demon.co.uk/gerbils/gerbfaq.htm 2.7 How do I introduce a new gerbil to my old one? --- Lynne Smyth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > SEveral questions: > (i've just joined and have been very gerbil-happy > lately, in a > old, mature kind of way haha) > I have had gerbils so very long.. but didn't know > males are ok in > groups.. i was always told they need to be kept > singly.. anyway.. > i'd love to get some more or add some babies to have > 'clans' > > 1. good experiences? introducing 2 7wk sisters to 2 > other sisters > same age > > 2. 2 7wk sisters to 2 7-8 MONTHold sisters > > 3. one boy to 2 7wk sisters to have a litter or two > (aim to get > two clans for two halves of a large aquarium) Will > the two females > be ok? > > Thanks !!!!!!!! please answer quick any experiences > > Lynne Moquin > 51 Wascana Av. > Toronto 416-366-5667 > > ________________________________________________________________ > Sent with Firstname.com GOLD service > http://www.firstname.com > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________ > Sent with Firstname.com GOLD service http://www.firstname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
