Introducing my gerbils

Socks Mum said:
It must be a dilemma if the owner works. To separate them, and risk complete alienation, or to risk their fighting while you are out for the day. I suppose you get warning signs and in that situation might have to separate them for good sooner. Hamsters are so much easier if you work.
Click to expand...
It's fortunate that I work from so I notice a lot more than I would otherwise. I was working when Astra and Twiglet had the scuffles that led to their separation, and if I'd been out, I might have come home to bloodied gerbils, which happens to many people. Usually there are warning signs before it gets to that point but they're easy to miss, especially if you are new to gerbils.
 
It’s definitely a lot of responsibility and I’m sure some people don’t know what they are doing - it sounds quite specialised.
 
Maz said:
It’s definitely a lot of responsibility and I’m sure some people don’t know what they are doing - it sounds quite specialised.
Click to expand...
Introducing pups to adults is the easiest type of introduction but adults to adults is where things get tricky. A lot of the guides on the Internet do oversimplify things and set people up for failure unfortunately.
 
If they fight, apparently you need to put a piece of cardboard or similar between them, or put a large plastic jug type going gently over one rather than using your fingers, which are at risk of being bitten, I've heard. Children would definitely need adult help with these pets if they declan.
 
Socks Mum said:
If they fight, apparently you need to put a piece of cardboard or similar between them, or put a large plastic jug type going gently over one rather than using your fingers, which are at risk of being bitten, I've heard. Children would definitely need adult help with these pets if they declan.
Click to expand...
Yes, it's not a good idea to separate fighting gerbils with your hands as you'll get bitten. When I remove a split tank divider, I always have a plastic lid or something like that ready to use if needed.
 
After a split tank, the tank is supposed to be pretty much empty except for water bottles, scattered food, and nesting material, and then you build it up gradually. Last night I gave the gerbils sand baths. Peanut was very excited once she had figured out how to roll in it, and she ended rolling around dozens of times!

Today I gave them houses, and moved the nests they had built into the houses. Both pairs had been nesting under the water bottles previously so the bedding kept getting wet. I came back a couple of hours later to find that Twiglet had moved the entire nest back to its original spot. I guess that's me told!

20240305_220223.jpg
 
Daisy said:
After a split tank, the tank is supposed to be pretty much empty except for water bottles, scattered food, and nesting material, and then you build it up gradually. Last night I gave the gerbils sand baths. Peanut was very excited once she had figured out how to roll in it, and she ended rolling around dozens of times!

Today I gave them houses, and moved the nests they had built into the houses. Both pairs had been nesting under the water bottles previously so the bedding kept getting wet. I came back a couple of hours later to find that Twiglet had moved the entire nest back to its original spot. I guess that's me told!

View attachment 6366
Click to expand...
😄 I think Peanut was trying to tell her yesterday but Twiglet wouldn't listen!
 
Astra is happy today because she's got a wheel again, which is her favourite thing in the world. I bought her a new Getzoo wheel, since Twiglet got their old Niteangel wheel.

Astra and Luna haven't quite got the hang of running together yet.

 
Aw the baby didn’t get much chance ha ha. Astra looks very happy though. That wheel is good isn’t it? I’ve been really impressed with mine. It may not be as glamorous as some but it works really well and is easy to clean or replace the cork. Tino loves it.
 
Maz said:
Aw the baby didn’t get much chance ha ha. Astra looks very happy though. That wheel is good isn’t it? I’ve been really impressed with mine. It may not be as glamorous as some but it works really well and is easy to clean or replace the cork. Tino loves it.
Click to expand...
It is very smooth and quiet. I have sealed the cork just in case, and I also ordered a spare running track.

I realised after ordering it that it's a bit smaller than I thought as 27cm is the outer diameter, so it's a 10 inch wheel internally. Fortunately Astra is a small gerbil so it's okay for her. Twiglet has the 11 inch Niteangel wheel as she's bigger.
 
Yes it’s only a 10” wheel - it’s an odd size - it’s quite large for a dwarf but small for a Syrian. On the other hand dwarf hamsters can run in it fine. And it’s been fine for a baby Syrian too. I think I measured the internal diameter as slightly over 10” though - about 10 and a quarter. Getzoo quote external diameter and Rodipet quote internal diameter - which makes things confusing!
 
One thing I find odd is, my Carolina storm wheel is also 10.5” internally but seems smaller and a small Syrian (Raffy was only 90g when he arrived) only just seemed to fit and didn’t run so well in it - so I think it’s the shape and depth of the wheel makes a difference too. The getzoo one seems a better shape for running in despite being the same internal diameter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top