Does Daphne look pregnant?

[Auna]

So Daphne has been doing good, when i fill her food and water bowls she comes to them and eats and drinks which lets me look at the babies. I was wondering if there was a certain age where she wouldn't try or be able to eat them anymore because i'd like to move my birdcage back in here but i don't want my birds' squawks to make her scared.

[CMB]

Not sure. But possibly once their eyes are open and they are exploring out of the nest, as this is when photos are allowed to be posted and taming can begin.

[cypher]

I'm not sure either but even if she's past the stage of possibly culling them she might still abandon them, I would do as CMB suggests & wait until the pups are at the handling/taming age.

[Auna]

Daphne is a great mom, she brought lettuce back to the nest and all 12 of the babies munched on it. How do i know? I've handled them several times, I put Daphne in a separate place with a wheel and toys, i rub my hands in the bedding away from the babies so i smell like her. Then i pick them up. Most look exactly like Daphne (Banded sable), 4 of them are all brown, so maybe solid sables? I don't know about hamster fur color names.

[leedsgurl]

Glad to hear Daphne is being a good mum, but I strongly recommend not to handle them until their eyes open. Hope they continue to do well

[Auna]

Yeah, it was a bit of a risk. But i needed to know how many there were. She doesn't mind it. As long as they are still there she's fine with it. The babies will be 2 weeks on Wednesday the 25th

[Auna]

Daphne had a fit when i cleaned the cage, it needed it though. One of the pups opened their eyes today, So cute!

[souffle]

No matter how smelly I would never risk a cage clean before all eyes are open and mum was chilled a bit more. Mothers will cull pups up to around 4 weeks or can abandon them if they get so stressed. When we do we only take half the bedding out and replace that leaving the nest intact.
Fingers crossed she accepts it and stays with them.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Isn't it amazing how lucky this person has been? I'm sure thankful to God Daphne ended up a super tolerant Hamster Mom as in normal cases there would not be such a happy ending. Auna please don't handle of disturb Daphne's pups or cage any more until the pups reach 2 weeks old all you have done would normally result in Mom killing her pups from stress. You have been VERY fortunate on not having to watch your Mom cull babies by the things you've done already.

[Auna]

Okay... After one hamster being eaten by the rest and one escapee, I am having a hell of a time