Hi list.
We've had a pair of male gerbils since July. They are from the same pet
shop but were not purchased at the same time. They were purchased two weeks
apart, so one is at least two weeks older than the other. Generally,
however, they're both five and a half to six-months old. After being
introduced via the split cage, they squabbled a bit, but now seem quite
happy with nary a tussle. One is black and the other is dove, I think. The
black one (henry) is older than the dove one by about two weeks. Here's my
current problem:
a) the Dove one (Hue) is a bit on the chunky side. He's the subordinate of
the pair, and has been since they were introduced.
b) Henry is very light, maybe even on the skinny side. He seems awfully
skinny. He's always been the smaller of the two, and is significantly more
active. Hue is mellower. Likes to nap and snuggle, which Henry enjoys but
he's also a pretty compulsive digger.
Now the question:
How can I fatten up the skinny one without making the chunky one jealous?
How can I slim down the chunky one and still offer him treats-he tends to
turn up his nose at things like cornflakes?
Just a side note: I am positive about who is the dominant gerbil, and I am
sure Hue is not withholding Henry from the dish. Henry just doesn't seem as
interested in food as Hue. I've been keeping a very close eye on them for a
week or so. Henry's always been smaller and lighter than Hue. Maybe it's
just more noticable because Hue's getting chunky? He seemed to put on some
(most) of the weight when it started getting cold, so I thought maybe they
both would. Ok, I'm totally at a loss here. Can anyone offer any
suggestions for changing the diets of the two properly to make sure they
both get what they need?
Thanks in advance!
Catherine
____________NetZero Free Internet Access and Email_________
Download Now http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html
Request a CDROM 1-800-333-3633
___________________________________________________________
