Gerbil breeding

Question
Hi Lindsey, I have bred gerbils a few times before, but I have trouble breeding the same pair twice. If I leave the male in with the female after the litter is born, she gets pregnant right away, while still nursing the first litter, which I'm sure you know is a major strain on her body. But if I remove the male, they don't except each other again after they have been seperated. I know that breeder websites speak of the breeding pairs they have, that grow old together and stay together for life, but I'm sure these breeders don't have the females constantly pregnant. What's the trick? Is there a limit to how long they can be seperated before reintroducing? Any advice you could give me on this would be greatly appreciated.    
                        Thank you, Pam : )

Answer
The breeders will constantly keep the females pregnant and thats what they mean by breeder pairs.  If the female becomes pregnant while nursing the young then she will hold the babies back until the time is right.  It is best if you get another female to take the strain of the other one.  I am afraid there is nothing you can do.  Once paired they are paired for life and it would be cruel to take the mate away.  They breed until the females fertility runs out.

See http://groups.msn.com/lindsaysanimalpark    for more info