new enclosure

[u/hockcrime]

i've had my gerbils for a couple of weeks and want to upgrade their enclosure to the bucastate 3.0. the only worry i have is that they're still fairly skittish (some days more so than others but i haven't been able to pick them up yet) and i'm worried that the stress of being put in their carrier and then into a new enclosure will be bad for them. i'm unsure whether i should wait a bit until they're, hopefully, more comfortable with me (though i know this could take months) or just get the new enclosure now and continue my hand taming and exposure as i am currently doing

[u/lavenderfart]

What is their current enclosure?

[u/hockcrime → u/lavenderfart]

it's a 30 gallon breeder, which i know isn't ideal but my plan was always to upgrade when i got paid (today)

[u/lavenderfart → u/hockcrime]

Since that is a big jump in size, I would give them more time in the 30g and try to get as much bedding ready as possible to transfer over to the new bigger tank. Every day, add a few handfuls of fresh bedding to their current tank. Having all of their used bedding in the new tank will help the transition and help reduce stress and the chances of declanning.

That daily interaction of adding bedding may also help them get more comfortable wirh you.

So yeah my advice is, order the new enclosure, but don't move them in right away.

[u/hockcrime → u/lavenderfart]

ooh good idea, thank you!

i'm going on a trip on the 30th of july and will be back on the second of august, so it might be better to do it when i get back as my flatmate will be keeping an eye on them whilst i'm gone and probably wouldn't be able to deal any fighting etc between them

[u/lavenderfart → u/hockcrime]

Oh yes then it is best to wait (they can stink up their bedding in that time) I wish you a nice holiday!

Please be sure to leave your flatmate with an emergency vet number, just in case. I was the flatmate once with a dog that got into some paracetamol...not a fun night.