[kashumz]

I have 6 gerbils. 3 guys, and 3 girls. 2 of them are babies, and there are 2 baby girls and 2 baby guys. I really want to keep this first litter. I was hoping to give 1 male to my friend, and keep the other male and the dad in a 10 gallon tank. (is that enough room?) and then I have the mom and 2 baby girls. I have heard females are very aggressive and territorial, and to keep not 1, not 3, but ONLY 2 together. Can I not keep the mother and her 2 babies in a 20 gallon tank? I heard that EACH female gerbil will need her own cage, and I cannot afford this. Then again, I heard to keep ONLY 2 and NEVER just 1, together. I'm very confused. I have no idea what to do with the gerbils, because I was not planning babies! The pet store had told me I was getting 2 males!

And here's problem number 2:
The mother, I'm assuming, is pregnant again. I left the male in to help raise the babies, because that's what I was told to do. I know gerbils can get pregnant immediately after birth, and I keep seeing him try to mate with her, so I'm assuming she's pregnant by now. I'm going to sell the second litter, no doubt. Will the mother be able to have her pups and 2 older daughters together? Would I be better off giving the 2 females from this first daughter to my friend, putting the 3 males in the 20 gallon tank, and then leave the mother alone in the 10 gallon tank? If she is indeed pregnant again, will she be able to raise the babies on her own? Each litter shortens the life span and I don't want any more babies, so I plan to keep the male out.

Short summary of my questions:
How many females can be kept in a cage?
Can a gerbil mom raise pups by herself?
Can a gerbil mom, pups, and 2 older daughters all be kept together? Will they end up killing the babies or something?

Please help. I'm having a serious dilemma.

And problem number 3:
When I go to separate the babies, they will be too old for the nipple check. I know there are 2 girls and 2 guys, but how will I know which is which when they are weaned and it is time to say goodbye to mommy? Gerbils are the hardest to sex, especially at such a young age. :(

[twinkiedooter]

I had gerbies. Lots of gerbies. They drove me nuts as they kept breeding and breeding. You must take the males away from the females or you will have more gerbies than you can ever imagine in a short period. The females can raise gerbie kids all by herself with no problems. It's the danged males that cause all the problems as they like to make more gerbies.

[autumn19]

After gerbils give birth they go through a mating procces that usually lasts about 2 hours. Since you have separated mom and dad you need to keep atleest keep 1 female pup with mom so she can help her raise this next litter. Yes I am shure you can keep both the pups females but moma usually gets very stressed. She gets tired and weak from taking care of the pups. She also needs lots of water so make shure her water is always ful.