I Have Received a Pregnant Dwarf

[beautifullybrooke]

A coworker of mine gave me her two dwarf hamsters, male and female. She told me that these guys bred a few days ago and she wasnt ready for the responsibility of baby hammies. She knew I am a dwarf hamster addict and offered them to me. I was afraid she would do something wrong and I had nightmares of hamsters getting sold to people needing snake food, things like that, so I took them in. Apparently the female and male are both around 6 months old, but I am just taking her word for it. The female is a very fat, cute, Opal in color called Pheobe, and the male is white with a black cap on his head and scattered black spots named Damon. After reading, I realize the massive mistake my friend made in letting them breed. I dont have experience in raising dwarf babies, so can anyone give me a rundown of what to do? Some of my main questions are:

What to do with the male?
How can I know for a fact she is pregnant?
Need to have items?
Baby raising? (When can I begin to handle, solid foods/waterbottle, etc.)

Thank you.

[LoveMyHams]

If you search the forum there a few threads that follow the progress of a surprise litter.
But to answer your questions:
Separate him from her. She will not want him around and you risk her getting pregnant again.

You won't be able to tell until a day or two before she gives birth. She will get round, build a nest, and possibly start attacking you.

Nothing special is required. I'd take the wheel out actually once you know the babies are born. You don't want her ignoring the babies, or some horrible accident to happen to one of them. Make sure the cage is in a quiet room so she won't be disturbed. I would start treating her like she's pregnant and give her lots of extra protein like egg, chicken and tofu to keep her strength up. Maybe some extra nesting material as well.

Momma ham will take care of all the feeding until they are ready to eat solids. They will start doing it on their own, most likely when they have their eyes open and start wandering about the cage. At this time you can introduce very small amounts of baby food and soft treats too. The babies will like egg and banana and such. I'd leave the bottle in the whole time, mom will still use it. If you have a second one you can put it in (or use the original bottle) and put it low to the ground so the babies can reach it.
And most importantly do not handle until their eyes are open. You don't want to risk momma killing them because she feels threatened. Don't clean the cage until this age as well to keep stress down.

I hope I answered everything ok.

[sully]

Very good informative answer!

[Kissa]

Only one thing to add: dwarf ham gestation is about 21 days

[Ren]

You will also be able to keep the daughters with the mom and the sons with the dad when you separate them at 4 weeks old.

[Lynternette]

Good Luck ! I hope everything turns out ok for you. I think I'd be excited and scared all at the same time. xxx

[Charley101]

Good luck! Keep us updated

[beautifullybrooke]

I am super excited! But quite nervous. I'm afraid she will eat them, this will be her first litter. (and last)

[Charley101]

As long as she is left along and not disturbed and her stress levels don't get too high, she should be okay

[beautifullybrooke]

Here are pictures of the little guys:
Pheobe and Damon!