Adult Gerbil Introduce w/ Baby?

[maryc1]

I have had my male gerbil for almost a year now. He has never been with another gerbil within that time period, but I thought he might be lonley so I bought a very cute little baby gerbil. I don't know how to introduce them to each other. I have the cage separated off so they can smell each other and get use to each other scent. They show no sign of aggression toward each-other, but I am afraid if I put them together the male will hurt or kill the little one. Should I try it or wait until the baby is alittle older? Please help!

[cassi]

Try putting them together somewhere neutral like a playpen or bathtub. This way you can separate them easily if they start to fight. If they seem to get along - no fighting -after a few times of doing this then they should be fine.

[SpunkyMunky]

I agree with Cassi... But you can try something else too. Wait untill the little one is a wee bit older, because if something happens The little one can atleast defend him self. Althought this might sound cruel, if you think about it... The little one will probally get seriously hurt if they fight now... Wait about another month so that they are used to each other's scent. Then introduce them in a bathtub, playpen or what ever else you can get them out of fast.

Good luck.

[maryc1]

Okay thanks, I will try the bathtub thing when she gets alittle bigger. They sniff each other through the openings, but don't seem to pay alot of attention to each other. Thanks for the advise!

[andreaS15]

here is a link to the Split Cage Method (http://www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/adopt.html#split)
I would suggest, the younger the gerbil the better. Split cage them, and let them meet in a play pen (or tub) if they start trying to groom one another that is a good sign. I'm sure it won't be much trouble, you little guy is probably very excited to have a buddy to play with.

Good luck

[Doom Gerbil]

The younger the gerbil the more likely a direct intro will work
do not wait, fights are what you want to avoid not encourage
try a direct itnroe on neutral groud, use a board or cup to seperate if necessary and gloves incase you get bitten
soem chasign and squeaking will happen, but if it appears to be overly aggressive seperate and split cage
If its just an 'I'm boss'/'yes you are' situation give them a while then return to a cage with either their scents (bedding ) mixed or neithers scent.
Watch fort he first few hours and be aware of possible issues for 48.
When they sleep together you can be 99% sure the intro has worked.

[maryc1]

Okay, I put Kira and Valentino together in the bath tub and this was my result.

They explored alot, and when they came into contact with each other they smelled each others faces. I wasn't too sure if they would fight so I split that apart after afew seconds. Kira(the baby) seems like she wants to be more dominant over the male already. She looked like she was trying to hump him at one time. They didn't come into contact too much, when they did they just sniffed faces and when Kira got too up into Valentino's face they boxed a bit. Nothing serious. I kept them both in the tub for about 5 minutes.

What do you guys think about their 1st time? Do you think I might be able to put them together later or not? When should I try the bath tub thing again? Thank you for all of your responces!

[Doom Gerbil]

if your doing a direct intro once they are used to each other you leave them together
they won't clan unless they are together, hence split cages, to teach them to live together.
So I would have given them olonger in the bath, watching them carefully, then put them in the cage together and watched them for as long as possible for problems.
If alls well leavethem together but try to be in earshot and check back (discretely) regularly for at least 48 hours.
once you see them curled up asleep together your on the home straight.
If this doesnt work its time for a split cage.

[Pinkdarkness]

what i do when i introduce gerbils to one another is clean out a tank or cage so that that other ones scent is not there put some oven mitts on and put them in the tank/cage together, watch them for about 30 min and if any signs of them starting to ball up to fight I seperate them and try again within a few hours or the next day. I use oven mits because i had an episode were 2 of my gerbils i had just introduced started fighting and i tried to seperate them with my hands and the one gerbil bit right through my finger and i could not get it off of me. i had to wait 10 min with it clinching to my finger until she relaxed and relized i wasnt a gerbil. When fighting gerbils can not bite through oven mits.

[Doom Gerbil]

Very good tip
oven gloves or rose gloves

Another tip, and please be very careful with this
if the gerbil has tight hold and wont release put your finger and thumb either side of his jaw, where the hinge is (feel this on you own now) and gently squeeze.
He will be forced to let go.
BE VERY CAREFUL
DO NOT squeeze so hard you break his jaw!!!!
Just increase pressure till he lets go. you will be over a surface or his cage and he will drop safely down.

DO NOT wildly wave around your head so he goes flying across the room, he may break his back when he lands. DO NOT pull his tail, it will come off.

Gerbil bites are generally clean but rinse well. All animal keepers should keep their tetanus shot up to date. If a wound swells and becomes hot over time suspect an infection and get it treated.

[maryc1]

Hey everyone, okay I've been putting them together in the cage over time and I've had them in there tonight for about 5 hours. They havn't faught, but even though Kira lets Valentino groom her, she wont groom him. She kinda nips his back end when she gets annoyed. I seriously doubt that they will fight but I know with gerbils you never know. They havn't curled up with each other yet either. They stay close but not that close when sleeping. What do you think so far? Should I leave them together over night, I hope someone will reply before I go to bed. Thank you!

[Ann Vole]

I use a large sponge (the peanut shaped kind sold to wash cars with) to stop fights by gently squishing the fighters and they always quit biting right away and calm down in 2 - 3 seconds (distracts their mind from "attack mode").

[Doom Gerbil]

Ann I like that idea, less likely to cause injury and easy to restrain antagonists.
hmm..........time to buy some bath sponges lol

[maryc1]

Okay, since I didn't separate them over night they sleep next to each other, but not on top one another. They don't fight but since they still dont sleep together should I put the separater in again or just let them be and get use to one another?

[Doom Gerbil]

No watch them carefully but hopefully your nearly there
seperating them now undoes the good work so far