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Old 07-19-2013, 12:26 PM   #1
Rosebud
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Default Decisions

Hi all,

I think I've sorted out in my mind a cage for a pair of robos and one for a pair of gerbils. I'm out shopping tomorrow and think I'll pop into P@H to have a look at them both and make a decision.

When I think about it I have just about everything for both species apart from odds and ends. just a few questions about robos. I've read all the threads and it seems simple is the way to go with two of everything you are going to put in the cage. Does that mean 2 water bottles? Also, if you have one sand bath how big should it be?

Is it best to stay simple until after adolescence, which then brings up the question of when is adolescence and how long does it last?

Thanks for all your patience over the past few days as I've been mulling things over. it's very much appreciated
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Old 07-20-2013, 12:20 AM   #2
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Default Re: Decisions

Two water bottles would be a good idea anyway in case one stops working. Sandbath needs to be big enough for them both to go in or have two that are smaller. I use ice cream or takeaway tubs for my single dwarfs, I'd use about double that for a pair. Make sure the cage is arranged so that there is no where a hamster can be trapped, have houses with multiple exits etc.
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Old 07-20-2013, 01:18 AM   #3
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Default Re: Decisions/Robos

Thank you if you have two water bottles is it best to place them together or does it not matter?
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Old 07-20-2013, 02:08 AM   #4
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Default Re: Decisions

I'd probably place them a little way apart so that one ham can't stop the other getting near them both
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Old 07-20-2013, 02:13 PM   #5
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Default Re: Decisions

I use the smaller Ikea Mixtur (11" x 7") as sand dish and it seems like a good size for pairs. Two can roll in it at the same time with still plenty of space to run around in. I've found that one water bottle works fine for my pairs (they never fight over the bottle), but it never hurts to have an extra.

Puberty typically start at around 10-12 weeks of age and can last until 6-8 months old. I don't think you necessarily have to keep everything super simple until then (since it's a long time), but you can start out simple and adjust as needed. If you see them start fighting over something, then remove it, etc.
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Old 07-20-2013, 02:51 PM   #6
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Default Re: Decisions

I would suggest a water bowl instead. Although if your going with bottles, the pairs that I have kept and the trio I have now, have only had one bottle before (until I moved them all on to bowls recently) and I never had any problems

Sandbaths, they simply both need to be able to easily fit in it.

As biscotti said, starting simple is best then if they seem a happy pair, you can slowly start adding things. Perhaps one thing at a time, and then you can assess how the pair seem with it, if after a while all is good then you can add something else.

Since March I have kept a trio of robos. Autumn who is 1 year old, her daughter Willow who is 5 months old and Beau, a pets at home rescue who I assume is around the same age as willow. After the initial introductions and knowing that the 3 would be okay together, they had a simple set up involving 3 wheels, a wooden arch and a big sand bath. Then they had plenty of substrate, a big open nest and scattered food. After a while like that and everything still going well, over the course of about a month I introduced a tunnel, a coconut house with 3 exits and another wooden arch.

And now, after still having a happy trio 4 months later, I am about to give them a platform and a few more things for them to climb on and hide under.

It's very much trial and error with new things! Good luck with your new little fluffs when you get them
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Old 07-20-2013, 04:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: Decisions

It will really depend on your robos, and you never know how they're going to get on, but there are things you can do.

I normally match my little ones with older relatives which leads to far more settled pairings and groups, but of the same age pairs I've kept, as I say there are things you can do.

Your little ones will likely be between six and eight weeks old if they are coming from P@H. Even though they come from the same group they may or may not be related, but they will be the same age. If you are looking to have a batter chance of keeping a settled pair then go for girls, they can fall out at puberty as easily as boys will, but it has always been far easier to keep girls and get them back together should they fall out than it is boys. All that testosterone takes very delicate handling if you have a volatile set of boys!

The first thing you will need to do is sex your hams, they do try their best, but the robos will come into the store at 4/5 weeks which is just the age robo pups have a little tricky phase in terms of sexing, which is why there are often mistakes. Please feel free to send me pics of your little ones if you need any help.

I have had hormones kicking in from eight weeks with my pups, and as has been said it can go on till eight months, so it's a long road. The other real difficulty with people getting their pairs at that age is they're often not prepared for getting them at the trickiest age! Often people will get two weeks of peace then it all kicks off which is when they join us on HC!

You can only hope for the best, but set them up simply as has already been discussed, don't rush them with taming to keep them as calm as possible, and watch for any typical signs of stress. Please pop up with as many questions as you like in the robo section, there are lots of people ready to help you out myself included
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Old 07-21-2013, 09:53 AM   #8
Rosebud
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Default Re: Decisions

Thank you ladies,
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Old 07-21-2013, 10:58 AM   #9
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Default Re: Decisions

Can I just ask what cage you've chosen? I'm not sure how many P@H cages would be suitable for a pair so am curious if theres one I've missed
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Old 07-21-2013, 11:11 AM   #10
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Default Re: Decisions

I've ordered the Kios from zooplus. I wasn't very clear .... Meant I'd look at robos and gerbils in P@H
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