Deciding whether or not to breed

Breeding gerbils-  deciding whether or not to breed


Breeding gerbils is a great experience-  you will certainly learn a lot,  will be able to raise adorable little pups,  choose parents with great temperaments,  try for a new color you've never had,  and so forth.
However,  it isn't as "simple" as you may think.
Breeding gerbils requires a good deal of responsibility,  and you need to make sure you're ready for it.

Before deciding to breed,  you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do I want to breed gerbils?
• What do I hope to accomplish by doing so?
• Do I know enough about gerbils to properly raise the pups?
• Will I be able to find good homes (not as snake food!) for the pups?  If not,  am I able to keep them myself until I can?
• Are the parents I would be using healthy and well-tempered?
• Do I have time to properly care for all the gerbils?

Here are some good answers:

• I want the experience of breeding gerbils and raising the pups,  but ultimately I have the gerbils' best interest in mind,  and hope to raise healthy,  tame gerbils.
• I want to raise gerbils that have great temperaments,  and are healthy.
• I have done a ton of research,  am willing to do more,  and have experience with gerbils.
• I am relatively positive there will be people interested in the pups,  and I will not give them to just anybody.  If  I can't find a good home for them,  I will be able to keep them myself and take care of them all.
• Yes,  I will only use the a male and female that are healthy and friendly/etc.
• Yes,  I am willing to devote a significant amount of time to this.

Now your answers can vary somewhat,  but if you answered something like "I think baby gerbils are cute and I want some" or "I only have one extra cage,  so if I can't get the pups to good homes,  I guess they're going to whoever will take them" or "well,  I am new to gerbils and don't know all that much,  but I think it'll be fine." then you really shouldn't be considering breeding.

Some things you're going to need before breeding:

• Somewhere/someone experienced that you can ask questions of.
• Good potential homes for the pups.
• At least one extra cage,  and the ability to get more should you be unable to rehome the pups.
• A suitable cage,  food,  and bedding for the parents and pups.
• Knowledge on the breeding process.
• Potential-parents with good temperaments that are tame and healthy 

For more information on whether or not to breed,  click here.