I have a question.. I just got a new gerbil the other day and I wanted to
put the new one with the other 2 gerbils that I have but every time I put
the new one anywhere near the other 2 he starts making sounds but no one is
hurting him....
That is the famous submissive yelp - please don't hurt me. Gerbils are protective of themselves and until they get to know the other they only sniff and rub noses. Some gerbils are more aggressive and want to sniff further back. The other one is trying to say - no - I'm not ready yet.
I have not put them all in one cage yet because I am afraid
that they will fight since the new one makes sounds before I even put him
in the cage...
That is a possibility. I like to make sure that the cage has some place to hide - like a small gap between the wooden house and the cage wall. The submissive one will sometimes hide while they're yelping. The more aggressive one will come and sniff periodically. Eventually, the submissive will come out and find that it is not all that bad. They will be cautious. When they sleep together, that is the sign of acceptance.
If you use this experiment, watch them virtually continuously and be prepared with gloves to pull apart a fight.
It is also possible that the two together are so closely bonded that they will not accept the other. One-on-one introduction scenarios are much easier and reliable. The younger the gerbils, the easier, too.
the other 2 are bigger then the new one... but I am not
sure on the age of any of them. I am want try to do the split cage but I
can not find any pet stores that have a divider.... what can I use to
substitute for a divider?
Go to the pet store and ask for a medium Kritter keeper. Put that small cage inside the other, with shavings, some food and the two existing gerbils. Put the other new gerbil outside in the main cage. Switch positions 3-4 times a day. They will sniff each other and get familiar with each other scents. In all other ways, follow the split cage technique - they may need to be split for a week or two. Look for signs that they are getting along and then test them for short periods to see if they can coexist without split cage. Like I said, there is a possibility that they may not click.
]ok that's it... thanks to anyone that can help
me... please respond soon I do not want to what to long to put them
together...
Hope this helps, try anytime with questions,
Larry Capuder
GerbilStrong
Strongsville, OH in suburban Cleveland
member, American Gerbil Society
