>I suppose it's only a matter of time just like it's a matter of time before >earth can no longer support such a large human population. I have had 15 >gerbils, 6 hampsters, and 30+ mice use cotton bedding without a single >mutilation, much less a fatality. Granted, I did not use the prepackaged >cotton; I used cotton balls that I shredded finely myself. I tried using >toilet paper again and the mother would not touch it. I do not want to >interfere with her nest anymore because a second litter is possibly coming >within a week or two. You need to take the other bedding out. Period. What you had happen was luck on your side. It does not matter if you 'shred' the cotton balls, unless the fibers are very finely chopped up, they are still a hazard. As far as disturbing your gerbil mother, if the pup's eyes are open she'll be fine about it. The sooner the better. >It seems that about anything I say or do on here is strongly condemned and >everyone uses me as an example. If this is the way things are, I don't feel >very welcome on here and may leave. Chill, please. Some of us are very firm about the 'fluffy bedding' and using fibrous stuff as nesting, because we've seen animals be badly badly injured and painfully killed. If you leave the old bedding in there, of course the mother won't touch the new offering. Take the fiber stuff out, then shred up a lot of the toilet tissue, AND sprinkle some right on the nest. She'll get the hint. It might take a day or two. If the current pups have fur, missing the old bedding/nest lining won't hurt them. >p.s., sorry for the tinge of anger, but I'm annoyed because my car won't start >and now I'll have to possibly pour hundreds of dollars into it, so please >understand. Thanks. I work on my own cars as I cannot afford a mechanic. I uttered the prophetic 'I need to do the rear brakes' and that prompted a cold snap, three snows in three days, and I'm going to have to lie on ground in yucch to do the work. NEVER fails. I understand fully when your transportation :p on you.
