mygerbil and her new born pups

Question
Well when I got home from work yesterday all the babies had died! Wow I just can't believe it. When I was little we had alot gerbils and we always had so much fun watching the babies grow.  I had never experienced anything like this before.  I also can't find the babies so I am guessing she did the natural clean up?  At this point I am guessing she is pregnant so do you think it would be ok to leave the dad in there untill she has the babies and then take him out? and how long is gestation and can I around the time she is due put her in the glass tank? let me know what you think....thanks again
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Hi, again thank you sooo much for the advise.  I live in USA, in south Florida, but I  think I can get access to a glass cage but not untill tomorrow. So as soon as I get the cage I will take out the dad but I guess after that it is up to her.  I am also guessing that for the next time I will try this as soon as she has the babies.  Do you think she will continue to neglect her babies everytime? If I take out the dad right after she has her next litter, do you think that she will continue this behavior and if she does is there something else I can do to stop them from having babies.  I thank you again for everything you have done, sure wish I lived in England...... it would be really nice to meet you.
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Hi thank you so much for answering me back so quickly.  I really do appreciate it.  I do believe that some babies have already died.  It really does seem like she just does not care about them or is totally confused about how to take care of them.  The first set of babies she put them in the wheel and was flipping them around and they came flying out.  It was so sad to watch! The upstairs is the petting zone and if I remove it there is a hole in the cage, it is one of those plastic cages with tunnels ect.  I have have 3 young children and we thought it would be fun for them.  anyway, do you think that she will treat all her litters like this or will she learn to take care of them. should I take the male out today? or is it too late.  why does she just leave them alone and not just sleep with them.  I am telling you I think it is just pure neglect.  Let me know whatelse you think.  I want you to know I really appreciate you answering my questions, as I really need the advise.  My children are so sad that the babies don't make it.  I don't know if I want to have this situation to continue to happen.  
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My gerbil gave birth to 3 babies and a completely neglected them she was very rough with them, needless to say they all died in about 3 days.  She just had 8 more yesterday and we have a tank that has a seperate area upstairs for them.  She seems to be just leaving up there alone.  she also seems to be kicking them around alot and once again not being a very good mother.  Is it possible she just doesn't know what to do with them and can't take care of them.  If that is true what do I do, we can not keep watching all the babies die.
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Hi Gayle,

Are the babies downstairs? Ideally you need a cage with only one level when you have babies, and it will stop the mother being able to get too far away from them!!

Also, do you have the father in their? If so take him out as they mate the night of the birth and she will be so exhausted as she will never not have babies!! If he is still in their now, it is highly likely she is pregnant again!

There is no way of you looking after them when they are so small, the mother has to do it. It is normal for 3 to die from each pregnancy, which i know is horrible to see.

I think the best thing you can do is remove the top level if you can? Take the father away. Offer her extra protein, such as dried mealworms or human baby food (Cow and Gate Sunshine Banana mixed with water to make a paste).
Make sure you don't interfere at all, unless it is to put food/water in, and make sure the cage is somewhere quite where she won't be disturbed by lots of noise and people!!

She should have a natural instinct and know how to look after them, she just doesn't seem to want to.

Try the things above, and hopefully she will start caring for them!

I am sorry there is nothing further i can suggest, as there isn't much more you can do!

Let me know what happens, and ask if you need anything else,

Thank You,
Charlie.
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Hello Again,

That does sound awful, and i agree it is horrible to have to watch!

I think you have to get another cage as soon as possible, to put the mother and babies in so she doesn't have the opportunity to do this!! Are you in England? If you are which county? If by luck you are located near me i have a little glass tank you could use for her!

Like i mentioned before you can't make her look after the babies, but taking away the distractions such as the upper floor (by using another cage) will mean she is closer to the babies, and might start caring for them.

Yes, take the father away now, and remember that it is very likely that she is pregnant again now!!

Get back to me on your location and current situation and i will see what else i can think of!

Thanks,
Charlie.
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Hello,

I think it would be best to take the dad out now if you can, and leave him out before the next babies are born, because it is so easy to leave it slightly to long, and she will be pregnant before you know it!!

Once this litter of babies has gone, move her into the plain glass tank and put the father back into the adventure one. This way she can't climb up the levels and may feel more pressured to look after the babies as she has nothing else to distract her.

I honestly can't tell you whether she will continue to neglect her babies, but hopefully not! The only way to stop them having babies is to split the mother and father permanently. With mine i tried to take the father out during the evening/night so the female wouldn't get pregnant again but she still got pregnant at some point! So now i have just got the girls with mum and boys with dad, it was too hard to stop her having babies!

Again i hope i have helped you, and please do ask again if you need more help!!

Thank you,
Charlie.

Answer
Hey,

Yes i think she must have done the natural clean up, sorry to hear that though! Yes it is likely she is pregnant again, gestation is normally around 23/24 days, and you need to take the father out before the babies are born to prevent pregnancy again!! So maybe when you notice her getting fat put her in the glass tank on her own!

I hope this helps you again, and i am sorry for your loss again!
Let me know if you need more help,
Thanks,
Charlie.