Question about gerbil babies

[AnimalLover03]

My gerbils had a litter which are about 5 wks now.I am going to give them away..on monday/tuesday.here is the problem.My two parent gerbils had another litter of 3.is it ok to leave the old litter in with the new?It would only be for about week or so.I am going to get a new cahe soon anyway because I dont want the parents to have anymore babies.If it is unsafe please let me know..then i will get another cage right away. :angel4:

[PyscoFalcon]

Gerbils should stay with there parents until 6 weeks old then put into single sex groups until there 7 to 8 weeks old when they can be sold.

Your gerbils will be pregnant again as they mate right after birth.
Get another 10 or 20 gallon tank and put dad in with his sons NOW.

When the last litter is born keep females with mum and males with dad.

[soltanifamily]

Hi there! Here's some answers to your questions...

1. It's okay to leave the first litter in the tank with the new litter. Provided there's enough room for all the gerbils, there shouldn't be any problems with the older litter being there for a little while. In fact, the older siblings will probably help the parents care for the new litter, e.g. keeping them warm.

2. FYI: Gerbils mate following birth, so it's very safe to assume that a third litter of pups is already on their way. That said, when you purchase your new tank, your father gerbil and one of his sons should go into the new tank. Leave an older daughter with the mother so that both parents will have same gender companionship. In addition, the older daughter remaining with the mother will help care for this last/third litter.

3. You mentioned cages. May I make a suggestion? In lieu of purchasing a cage or "Habitrail" of some sort, 10 gallon fishtanks with a reptile lid are ideal for 2 gerbils. If you want to be generous and give them more room to run around and play, a 20 gallon long tank is ideal.

4. Adopting out the litters. Feel free to post an advertisement saying that you have gerbils to be adopted in the American Gerbil Society (AGS) classifieds section, www.agsgerbils.org. In the ad, let folks know in what city/state you live and how many gerbils are in need of homes. The same can be done here at Petshub.

5. Sexing the gerbils. In case you aren't sure how to tell which young'uns are males and females (and it can be difficult when they're small), the National Gerbil Society (NGS) provides excellent instructions on sexing gerbils. Their page is www.rodent.demon.uk. It wouldn't do to put a daughter in with the father when you separate the parents or vice-versa. :) Believe me, it happens all the time. I hope this helps and good luck with the adoptions. Many regards, Dana

[soltanifamily]

Hello again,

I just re-read my message and it could be easily misunderstood. Please do put all of the males in the new tank with the father and leave the females with the mother. Just be sure as you're adopting them out to leave a single daughter with the mother and a son with the father for companionship.

The right address for the NGS in www.rodent.demon.co.uk.

[haychick9]

It is usually okay to keep the old litter with the new. If the parents start to bite or attack the members of the old litter, then u need to seperate the old litter from the parents right away.