We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Do not put a male and female gerbil together in an enclosure unless you understand the ethics and practices of safe gerbil breeding. X To make a Split Cage, … Clean out your gerbil’s tank, wiping down the sides. Gerbil FAQ. For example, place a wheel into the cage on the third day after removing the partition, then add a chew toy 2 days after that. Place a gerbil on either side of the double-layered mesh. You can tell by their reactions if they will be a good fit together. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Do not get a male and female gerbil … The split cage method is a way to safely and gradually introduce two gerbils. It basically depends on time. Putting an exercise wheel on each side will keep them entertained. You could also build a wooden frame that fits your tank, with mesh inside the frame. [5] If gerbil cages are extended upwards, you should try to avoid plastic shelves and ladders at all costs – chewing it makes it sharp, it will harbour germs and could get stuck in your gerbils mouths. Occasionally, however, a fight will break out among them. The split cage method is a safe, easy way to give your gerbils a chance to get to know each other. Chose water bottles that you can hang from the sides of the enclosure and replenish them daily. Secure it so the gerbils … [10] Why do I not put in any toys when introducing gerbils? Last Updated: March 29, 2019 X If they start a chase as in this video, it's better to separate both gerbils and try a split cage … Covered wire and/or wood shelves are essential. If you’re introducing 2 gerbils to each other for the first time, you should put a wire or plastic divider down the middle of the cage. This requires a “split-cage” introduction that involves swapping the two gerbils between sides of a 10-gallon … Just cut it down to size so there is enough on each side to fold over and tape to the bottom and sides of the tank. Hamster and gerbils in detolf? From your moderators! ... (you would need a split … They will fight until death over a female if not separated. What do I do? If you have 2 male gerbils, it may only take 1 week for them to warm up to each other while 2 female gerbils may take 3 weeks or longer. ... Behaviour and Introducing Gerbils. Will 2 male gerbils fight over a female gerbil? https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/other/general_health/caring_for_your_gerbil.aspx, https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/upload/images/gerbil_care_edu.pdf, http://www.crittery.co.uk/index.php/geb-splitcage, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iH-Gvio8Gk&feature=youtu.be&t=394, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I had one girl that I had to separate from her group. What if you have two older male gerbils and you want to introduce another pair? Never use this method to introduce a gerbil to a group of gerbils! Make sure to purchase a split cage insert that will fit your gerbils’ enclosure. This time, you will need to keep them divided for a longer period of time. Scatter food in both sides of the tank and add a water bottle to each side. Wait about 5 days until you put them back. Intros of unrelated gerbils is easier if the gerbils … Since one is a little older, I'd recommend putting a small mesh separator in the cage for a couple days to allow them to engage safely at first. Introduce your gerbil to a past-breeding age female gerbil. Here is the basics of the split cage method. If the enclosure you have is smaller than this, you will need to get a new one. It will not work and the other gerbils are likely to kill the new one if they can get at it. Place your new gerbil on the other side of the tank. Gerbil Science. - posted in Supplies & Accessories: Ive never had gerbils before, but I am considering getting a pair. If they do not get along, get a separate cage. The idea is to create two separate living areas within a tank, so that gerbils … It takes TIME to introduce gerbils because they ARE territorial. Gerbils that have been kept separated for more than one day can be slowly reintroduced to each other through the Split Cage set up. Only attempt a second introduction if the gerbils show signs of getting along! Young gerbils will often perform this behaviour, maybe to practice for future territory defence. I’ve kept gerbils when I was younger & yes most of the time gerbils do get on great with the same sex but then occasionally you have one that really doesn’t like other gerbils. Split your cage down the middle with a see-through divider. There are some two-chambered ready made cages available on the market but these are hard to find. When the gerbils … You should also avoid food bowls, scatter feeding is more interesting for gerbils anyway as gerbils are natural foragers. Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty You can usually find an aquarium divider in the fish section of your pet store, but if you can't, you can make one yourself out of wire 29. General Care. Adult also do it for playing or for rank establishment. If you do buy another gerbil you need to introduce them using the split cage method. "My gerbils are getting used to each other. This method requires a tank. Putting the gerbils into the enclosure at the same time is also important so that 1 gerbil does not see the other as invading its space. Split Cage Introduction Method. Watch for any signs of bite wounds and fighting over the first several days and go back to the divided cage … To spit cage a gerbil, start by getting a split cage insert from your local pet store and using it to divide a cage into two equal sections. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. If you decide to get another gerbil, you may need to use a split cage to introduce the new gerbil to the old one before putting them into the same cage. Place your gerbil(s) on one side of the tank. You can also give your gerbils a few bite-sized fresh veggie or fruit pieces daily, such as broccoli, carrots, bananas, or apples. The partition should have two … Id make or buy some kind of topper so the gerbils could have enough bedding, but would it be safe for the hamster and gerbils? As long as there doing fine, they can be housed together, but normally gerbils can smell if another gerbil is an outsider and will fight to the death. To learn how to tell if your gerbils are getting along well, scroll down! Yes, slowly introduce the gerbils, raising the meeting times if they seem to get along. Never use wood shavings of any kind in a gerbil’s enclosure! This method is called the ‘’split cage” method and has been proven to be very effective in introducing gerbils to one another safely. Add another five bucks for aquarium glue and you have a split cage with a barrier you can remove (or put in again if needed.) Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Tip: If you want to give your gerbils something fun to do, try scattering food around in their bedding. Breeding, Pups, and Sexing Gerbils. Place your new gerbil on the other side of the tank. This way – gerbils that are overly aggressive in the split tank can’t hurt each other so making your split tank introduction safer. To introduce them, first keep their cages side by side, to allow them to sniff each other. Check at your local pet stores or even online. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I’m doing the split cage method with two gerbils. That way, if the gerbils start fighting immediately, it will be easy for you to slide the partition back down and separate the gerbils. If you have a lone gerbil and want to give it a cage mate, then using the split cage method to introduce them is necessary. My gerbils have been in a split cage now for about three weeks. Then, stock both sides of the cage with bedding, food, and water, but leave out toys so your gerbils don't get territorial. This way you will hear them if they start fighting in the night and you can separate them before they hurt each other. Is it possible to introduce two male pups to a 1-year-old male gerbil? Gerbils generally live together peacefully their whole lives. Introducing stranger gerbils by the split cage method. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. A cage or tank of approximately 15-20 gallon capacity that can easily be divided into two parts is necessary. Insert a “split.” You can make your own out of wire mesh. Then return them. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. By using our site, you agree to our. eep- those cages all look way too small! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Go to source, Did You Know? Do not add any toys or anything they can scent mark. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. They are trying to establish their territory and may see the other gerbil as an intruder. Choose a glass or plastic aquarium and not a wire-bottom cage. The split cage method is most effective because the gerbils can gradually get used to one another without being able to do any harm. Do not add any new items or bedding while the gerbils are getting to know each other. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Do not divide a cage that is less than a 10 US gal (38 L) for 2 gerbils. If they do not show signs of getting along, then you may need to house the gerbils separately. Switch them every few hours so they can get used to each other’s scent. Once a secure gerbil split-cage is constructed then fill with your substrate of choice, such as megazorb, some bedding. The divider should run from one side of the cage to the other, firmly so that the gerbils can’t knock it down. Both gerbils … Colorado Springs, ColoradoWebsite Design by Zero Gravity Web Design. If the gerbils seem to be getting along and you are going to keep the partition out overnight, put your gerbils’ cage into your bedroom. Gerbils are gentle and social and can be housed in same-sex pairs. Tip: You can reintroduce toys and other enrichment items after the gerbils are getting along. Again I only suggest you intro a loner to another loner, but in the end the choice is yours. (You don’t have to wake up at night to switch them – just a few times each day is fine.). Gerbils are very friendly towards other gerbils. If that doesn't work, wait and see if they get along. Check the measurements on the cage before you go to the store. Keep the younger one in a different cage for a little bit. Lying next to each other at the mesh divider. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. My dogs act the same way but they eventually get used to each other. You cannot simply buy another gerbil and put them together in the cage, as they will fight and one will kill the other. If they have known each other for a while before you got them, they should be fine. My question is whether it is worth trying the split cage again but for longer this time. References. Discover your look! This will probably be fine. I want to breed my gerbils but I have to introduce them first. The Split Cage system works well for two isolated gerbils. This will increase the chances that the gerbils will get along and become lifelong friends! Gerbils are defensive animals, they will only show … As long that there is no squeak sound of fight, everything goes right. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Though I work in a pet shop with gerbils, so I know the basics, I’ve never introduced two gerbils (that’s not part of our training because we just generally say that people can be irresponsible and most would just chuck the gerbils … If so, how? Placing 2 unfamiliar gerbils into a cage together can lead to fighting and one or both of the gerbils may get seriously injured. Mar 17, 2014 - How to make a split cage for gerbil introductions This way when you do introduce them to each other, they will recognize the other gerbil’s scent as part of their territory. It is possible your gerbils may have little interest in each other as they are exploring their territory and, most likely, scent marking their side of the tank. Wire-botto… Can I leave them unsupervised overnight or not? I tried the “split cage method’ to introduce another gerbil … Other Gerbil Species. Next, place 1 gerbil in each side of the cage, and have them swap sides 3 times a day so they get used to each other's scents. Feed each gerbil a gerbil mix that contains pellets, seeds, grains, and dried veggies. If the gerbils fight, separate them and go back to the divided cage stage and repeat. This article has been viewed 35,179 times. When you do put them together, watch them carefully and separate them at the first sign of fighting. Consult a vet before getting another gerbil to see if it is a good idea for the health and well-being of your pet. Would it be possible to split a detolf in half, give one side to my new robo, and the other to the gerbils? % of people told us that this article helped them.
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