> Hi,
>
> I didn't get any response last time (except Donna but she misunderstood
what
> I meant in my mail, yeah, I know it wasn't really clear.)
> So I'll ask it again: AFTER 2 gerbs were in a split-cage, what is the best
> place to take the divider out, with this I mean: where is the best place
to
> put them really together, a complete unknown place like the bathtub, a
cage
> with smells from other gerbils, just there usual cage,.
(SNIP)
When I introduce gerbils, I use a split cage with a permanent divider. I
leave the gerbils in the split cage for a minimum of two weeks. There is no
need to rush introductions. Everyday I either switch the gerbils around from
side to side or I just grab the nesting material and switch it around.
After a couple of weeks, I do the actual intro. I only do this if they have
shown no signs of aggression towards each other for several days. I then
place one gerbil on the same side of the divider with the other gerbil. Then
I observe them for quite some time. Usually I can tell right away if they
are going to get along. There will be alot of sniffing, but not aggression.
I keep a close eye on them for most of the day. I leave them both on the
same side of the divider for about 48 hours. I do this just in case I need
to separate them again. This is easier then trying to include a different
tank in the process. If all seems fine after 48 hours of being together,
then I move them into what is going to be their permanent tank. Their
permanent tank is a clean one with fresh bedding and new chew blocks. I use
clean fresh, new items that don't have other gerbil smells on them. Before
putting the gerbils in the permanent tank, I grab a handful of their old
bedding and sprinkle it around the new tank to make it smell like them.
By using this method of introduction, I have never had any problems. The
important thing is to not rush the intro!
With breeding gerbils, I find it is important to always have a divided cage
set up and ready to be used when the need arises.
Ann-Marie
Secretary for The American Gerbil Society
http://www.geocities.com/amergerbsoc
T&T Gerbils
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Reserve/1928/index.html
. Are there any
> tricks to put them in a place, so they are very busy with examening the
> place and then suddenly realise there's another gerb in the room? Maybe
let
> the less agressif gerb get in first to look around, so he feels a bit more
> comfortable, and then put the more agressif one with him, so that one is
> less agressif then he would normally be.
> Does anyone understand what I mean? If so, please respond! If this intro
> fails, I have two lonely gerbs, and it's a bit difficult for me to take
> ather gerbs in right now.
> Thank you very much for any response!
> Sarah
>
