Post by PinkGerbil on Sept 3, 2007 19:25:34 GMT -5
Split caging is a method used to introduce gerbils slowly to each other. Split caging can be done when you have a gerbil that is all alone and want to introduce it to another gerbil, or if you want to introduce a male/female pair together to breed.
On many of the sites I have been on they divide a 10 gallon tank down the middle with a heavy mesh like material that divides the tank in the center. However, I use a different method. I use a small metal wired cage inside my 10 gallon tank and swap my gerbils that way. When I am home I try to swap them every 2-3 hours, but working a full time job I can't always do that on some days, but as long as you swap them several times a day it should still work (I try to swap them atleast 5 times a day or more when I can).
By swaping them back and forth they leave there scent behind, and both gerbils start to smell like each other, and all areas of the tank start to smell like both gerbils, making it a nuetral terroritory. They can also sniff each other and get to know each other slowly.
On one occasion, I tried this method (with the small cage inside the tank) and the gerbils tried to bite at each other through the bars, if this happens to you, you can use a small plastic carrier case instead. Wheather you use a small cage or plastic carrier case be sure to tape it down to make it secure so the gerbil inside it can't get out. I also always put some cardboard inside it and some food so the gerbil can be comfortable.
Some signs that the split cage method will most likely be successful:
1)They will sleep near each other. For example the one who is free to roam around in the tank will be sleeping close to the gerbil who is in the small cage.
2)They will often sniff each other through the bars and give try to groom each other.
3) They will start putting tissue and bedding close to where they are seperated and doing things together in the area where they are seperated.
Signs that it might not be successful:
1) They are trying to get at each other and acting agressively.
2)Trying to bite each other through the bars.
After a week of doing the split cage method you can try to introduce them. Pick a day when you are home so you can watch them and make sure they get along. Always have heavy gloves near by if a fight is to break out and you need to seperate them. In a heated fight you may end up getting bit badly.
After several hours if the gerbils are sleeping together and chewing cardboard together and getting along, then the split cage method has been successful. However if a fight does break out between them, than you need to split cage them again, try it again for another week, then try introducing them again. Sometimes it just takes longer to introduce them. I have had gerbils that it took over 2 weeks to introduce. Also, sometimes some gerbils just don't get along or mesh, so after 3 attempts if it don't work, than it prob won't ever work with them.
Also, when you are introducing them if they chase each other around this is normal behavior, they will do this for awhile, I think it is just them getting to know each other. However, if they start flying up in the air and rolling around and bitting at each other, this is not normal, and you should seperate them immediatly.
On many of the sites I have been on they divide a 10 gallon tank down the middle with a heavy mesh like material that divides the tank in the center. However, I use a different method. I use a small metal wired cage inside my 10 gallon tank and swap my gerbils that way. When I am home I try to swap them every 2-3 hours, but working a full time job I can't always do that on some days, but as long as you swap them several times a day it should still work (I try to swap them atleast 5 times a day or more when I can).
By swaping them back and forth they leave there scent behind, and both gerbils start to smell like each other, and all areas of the tank start to smell like both gerbils, making it a nuetral terroritory. They can also sniff each other and get to know each other slowly.
On one occasion, I tried this method (with the small cage inside the tank) and the gerbils tried to bite at each other through the bars, if this happens to you, you can use a small plastic carrier case instead. Wheather you use a small cage or plastic carrier case be sure to tape it down to make it secure so the gerbil inside it can't get out. I also always put some cardboard inside it and some food so the gerbil can be comfortable.
Some signs that the split cage method will most likely be successful:
1)They will sleep near each other. For example the one who is free to roam around in the tank will be sleeping close to the gerbil who is in the small cage.
2)They will often sniff each other through the bars and give try to groom each other.
3) They will start putting tissue and bedding close to where they are seperated and doing things together in the area where they are seperated.
Signs that it might not be successful:
1) They are trying to get at each other and acting agressively.
2)Trying to bite each other through the bars.
After a week of doing the split cage method you can try to introduce them. Pick a day when you are home so you can watch them and make sure they get along. Always have heavy gloves near by if a fight is to break out and you need to seperate them. In a heated fight you may end up getting bit badly.
After several hours if the gerbils are sleeping together and chewing cardboard together and getting along, then the split cage method has been successful. However if a fight does break out between them, than you need to split cage them again, try it again for another week, then try introducing them again. Sometimes it just takes longer to introduce them. I have had gerbils that it took over 2 weeks to introduce. Also, sometimes some gerbils just don't get along or mesh, so after 3 attempts if it don't work, than it prob won't ever work with them.
Also, when you are introducing them if they chase each other around this is normal behavior, they will do this for awhile, I think it is just them getting to know each other. However, if they start flying up in the air and rolling around and bitting at each other, this is not normal, and you should seperate them immediatly.