Wintons (Take Two) - born 13/4/16

[Vectis Hamstery]

Today I heard eeping coming from Niton's cage. The Wintons: Take Two have arrived!

Niton is a pretty dom spot girl who recently had the first Winton litter. She had been peacefully co-habiting with Winford since they came over from Holland via Harrogate as youngsters in January. Niton didn't look chubby last time so I didn't get Winford out. He nested near mum and pups until I took him out when it was safe to disturb the litter at 2 weeks old.

Because Niton was starting to look round again I decided to split the last litter of only three pups from her at three weeks old; Chinese hamster gestation is 21 days and I didn't want her to have two litters in with her at once. They're getting lots of extras and will be split into single sex cages at four weeks old.

On Friday Niton looked like this:
Niton by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

By yesterday she looked like this:
Niton by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

I've not seen such large baby bumps on a Chinese hamster before! She's snuggled in with her new pups and being a good mum. This will be her second and last litter, and she's being supported with lots of extras although she didn't drop condition with the last litter.

[Pebbles82]

I like the sound of eeping Those baby bumps certainly do show - you can almost see the bumps as curled up babies - kind of.

[pinkneon]

Yay new babies! Congratulations Vectis, Winton and Niton!

[cypher]

Those are impressive baby bumps!
Congrats all round! The eeping sounds so cute, what a great mum she is, can't wait to see more too cute babies

[Vectis Hamstery]

Mamma Niton has had to open the nest to the bottom of the tank and it's clear why - there are loads of pups! I got a brief peek as I was lifting them down for feeding/watering and I counted five tails at the same time The pigment is coming through and there are some with no dorsal stripes - so it looks like I'll get some whites all being well. Just another 10 days until I can find out. It seems like an age.

[cypher]

I can imagine the suspense! 10 days is such a long time when you have to wait!

[Pebbles82]

Ten days does seem a long time when you are waiting for something as exciting as seeing the babies I shall look forward to seeing them. And then you will have your hands full lol. Excellent that there are lots of babies.

[Kissa]

How exciting, loads of pups! I hope the next ten days don't drag too much for you

[Thin Lizzy]

Congrats Vectis! Absolutely stunning ham!

[flowerfairy]

Oooo white ones. I would rather like a white chinese hamster ...