Question For Breeders

[HamstersOfHell]

I was wondering yesterday, for hamsters having pups, is there a certain size cage/tank they should be kept in when the pups are born?

[vanilla-yazoo]

I use a barney, zz1 or two, remembering that levels and wheels are not needed and can be hazardous for baby's, and mostly mum is in the nest.
Hope this helps

[HamstersOfHell]

I know levels and wheels are a no no, I was just thinking since after all of my research it was the one thing I never questioned...
Thanks for your help!

[Bekki2308]

Id imagine anything tank or bin like or cage with tiny holes between bars would work fine, babies will get through 1cm bar spacing id imagine!

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

I will be using a 33x15x19" (LxWxH) glass tank for my litter with a removable divider down the middle for when the pups are very young so it will be a 16x15x19" tank. I worry that when they start toddling they might wander too far from the nest and mum won't be able to find them

Once they have their eyes open and are more active they will have use of the whole tank so that there is plenty of space for all of them However these are robos and I believe you are breeding Syrians so I don't know how much help this will be

[Pompompoms]

I use clear nice large bin cages that I can see through the bottom. Just an open nest, scatter food, water bottle at the other end from the nest, and a bent over wooden bridge. I've only ever bred robos though, not Syrians

[Ellie]

I use bin cages also clear with large floor space no toys just the bare minimum! I know some people prefer small cages so the pups cant wander BUT as they grow and stay with mum it's easier to keep them in the same cage instead of moving them and risk stressing them. I used an 80cm bin cage and found it was too small when they started opening their eyes and that was only with 4 pups!

[lisab]

I think smaller cages are better for mum and babys i have used a zoozone1 and 2 in the past and found them two big. I just use normal sized bin cages that are the mums usual home anyway.
I think its down to personal choice and whats best in your own opinion for the mum and babys. when babys do start to wander off mums can get quite stressed enough trying to round them up with out adding extra floor space for her to search. I also found that if mum had more space she would wander off more in the early days and would get fed up of the babys before the 4 week mark.

[HamstersOfHell]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone, much appreciated!