Hi List,
Here's an update on my experience this weekend in establishing an all
male group of four youngsters and one adult (8 months).
I started off using Gary's tips of a simple setup and small tank (10
gallon) placing them in a separate room from my females/other gerbil
tanks.
My biggest concern beforehand was adding in the adult. I thought that
pups would all just get along together right away. So the first thing I
did was put the three youngest ones together 6,6,8 weeks -- this
resulted in an immediate gerbil ball fight.
I removed the 8 wks. I vanilla coated (diluted vanilla - about a 1/8
teaspoon) the 6-6 weeks who got along okay, with some not too serious
paw-slapping squabbles. Then I added the 9 wks pup. The smallest
gerbil kept jumping at him and he did not know how to react to that
sometimes chasing the pup around the tank; the 9 wk got very nervous,
moving about in short jerky motions.
They did okay though, so I added in my adult male. He is a real sweetie
and has been extremely attentive in raising his own pups. Immediately
with the addition of this gentle and nurturing guy there was a turn for
the better. He very confidently went and groomed each one and they all
settled down noticeably. The smallest 6 week old pup, though continued
to be defensive and pushed away or jumped at anyone who came near him.
Things were going so well, that I vanilla coated the fifth pup 8 wks and
put him in with the
four. He immediately took to the 9 wk one and groomed and pup-piled
with him.
All three oldest pups and the grownup piled and slept together that
night. The small one spent the night and most of the next day in one
corner alone and continued to jump at or push away anyone who came near
him. The other pups finally just ignored him, but the adult continued
to interact with him frequently, laying flat with eyes closed
(non-threatening), letting the pup nibble his face and eventually
working his way up to giving the pup a complete grooming.
Finally the littlest has joined the rest in their side of the tank;
however he hasn't joined the pup pile yet. He's nesting in the corner
with Alan next to him, but shielding him from the other three pups all
piled together.
It has been so interesting to see the behaviors of submission, and
bonding, and among the pups of fear/defensiveness. I'm going to take
Gary's advice and write this up in more detail on my web page.
I'll continue to watch them carefully (they are in the living room so I
can keep close eye), and will let everyone know how it goes. -- Donna
A.
