Litter size and genetics.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

The only Line I have ever actually experienced a definiate inherited litter size from was my Chocolate line. I started out with 8 Females and 2 males and most were at the least 1st Cousins and at the most litter mates or 1/2 siblings. Of the 8 females 4 were sent to Erin and 4 remained with me. Of the 8 females between us only 5 females were bred which one was bred here once and at Erin's once. To date only that one who was bred here and then at Erin's for her 2nd litter have we not gotten 10 pups in the litter, BUT her two litters together averaged out to 10 pups. However by the 2nd generation it has not been so accurate. Though the 2nd generation litters have involved adding in out-cross bloodlines which may be why we are not getting 10 pups consistently any more.