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Breeding Gerbils and Raising Young
Breeding is a decision that must be thought about very carefully before actually doing it! You must determine whether you have the TIME, SPACE, and MONEY to do it. I would spend at least a week thinking about it!
Ready to begin? Well just get your self a breeding pair! How? Well you can have one shipped to you by another breeder or you could get one for a pet store. To see how please click here! Remember the color of your parents will determine the color of your pups so chose your parents according to what colors you want the pups to be (Note: Do not get both of the parents spotted for your breeding pair! It is proven the 25% of the litters born from the mother will be reabsorbed into the womb!!)! Once you have your breeding pair just put them together in one cage (if they are not all ready familiar to each other click here) and let nature take its course. If you would like to know what the mating behavior is like click here.
The female should be pregnant within a few days! It takes about 23-26 days for the pups to be born. Once they are, the female knows exactly what to do so she should be left alone when it comes to the care of the pups. During her pregnancy the female will grow very plump. Her appetite will also increase as well so be sure to provide her with more food and more nutritious things to eat. Birth usually occurs in the early morning ours of late at night. A litter can have up to eleven pups but mostly averages 4-6. During birth the female will clean her pups and eat the placenta for nourishment. The pups will instantly go under her belly for warmth where they will begin nursing. The pups will be born hairless, blind, and deaf. The pups will be fully mature and should be put on their own at age 6-8 weeks. After birth and before the mature age the pups will grow rapidly! The will soon get the hair, sight, and hearing that they were missing at birth and become very hyper jumpy little things that will steal your heart! O yea! Holding a pup is very tricky so be careful when you do!
Also don't forget about the father during this time! He still needs attention! Gerbils are not like hamsters. The father should stay in with the mother and litter because he plays a huge role in raising the pups! Make sure to treat him as well as you treat mommy! Oh yea don't forget to treat your two love birds on mother's day and father's day! To see how click here!
And finally remember that things do and will go wrong! You may have a few unsuccessful litters but please don't give up! Things will eventually go your way! But if it continues to happen then I suggest separating the pair or no longer breeding them!
Email: babykates927@hotmail.com
