Help determining gender of Teddy Bear Hamster Pups

[2ndwindranch]

We're almost at 4 weeks. Found lots of takers for homes but don't know the gender. Watch lots of videos and lots of pictures, but it's still so hard??? If I post pics can you guys help me out?

It appears I can only attach 5 pics, but I think I'll get the gist if it even if everyone could advise on a couple. I can at least stop questioning myself!

[souffle]

It's still hard to tell and these pups look very small but I would say top to bottom female, male, female, male, male
The last pup looks slightly odd and bruised around the genital area so I would keep a close eye on that one. If you can see them look up the side for nipple lines as only females have nipple lines. At 4 weeks you can often see the testicles coming down in the males. Males have a gap between the two vents and you can see fur there where as females have the two vents much closer together. It's easier when you see them in real life. I have a 3 week litter just now and it has just become clear wha tthe sexes are.
Remember these are Syrian hamsters and the MUST be kept alone. Syrians are strictly solitary even in the wild. You need to separate them now from the mum into male and female groups and keep them together till at very least 5 weeks when they are ready to home if well grown and healthy.
On no account let people have them as pairs to live together as they will fight badly when they reach over about 8 weeks.
https://hamsters-uk.org/content/view/68/48/ has pics to help you

[2ndwindranch]

Ok, that is really helpful. We bought these 2 as a pair at the pet store. They seemed very content together. Is that because they were different gender? They seemed happy together. We have dad by himself in a separate cage. If I put what I believe to be males in there with him, are they going to be ok or will he kill them?

They will be exactly 4 weeks on Wednesday.

We saw that bluish tint too. What do you think we need to watch for there? What happens to cause That?

I will start telling the families they can't be as pairs then, and it will need to be in one more week then? 5 weeks? I thought I read 4 weeks.

[2ndwindranch]

I'm reading through a lot of the breeding posts... I thought I had understood that since they need to be separated by 3 to 4 weeks... that it is ok to give them to a new home? At least the males?

What is that bluish tint in that photo of the male?

I'm waiting to hear back from all of the people who are on the list for 2. 1 of them so far said they still want 2 and are going to get 2 cages because they are for 2 siblings in the house.

[Hekomi]

Hi there,

No, please do not put them with the dad. Dad can and will turn on his own offspring. Please place the boys in a separate cage by themselves when they are 4wks old.

Syrians must be split at 4wks old and must be minimum 5wks before being rehomed. We hold onto ours until 6wks.

[souffle]

I am not sure what it is but it could be that he has been picked up by mum on the rear end and bruised. You should watch to see that he does continue to grow and we weigh ours and keep charts to ensure all are developing well. Also watch for anything pushing out the vents in case there is a prolapse and see a vet especially if he has any bleeding.
The reason they need separated at 4 weeks is that some will mature early and there is a small chance a male will mate with the mother or the sisters. Females will start coming in to season at just over 5 weeks normally.
The reason they need run on in individual groups till at least 5 weeks preferably 6 is to allow them to settle after separation from mum. This is much less stressful if they still have siblings to snuggle with and mum also needs as rest as they do pester her to suckle still when they are fully weaned. You also need to ensure they are healthy and well tamed and as a group they keep each other warm. They get used to life without mum too and this is less stressful in a familiar environment.
You cannot put the young with the father as he will likely kill them. I think you are confusing dwarf hamsters with Syrians. There are quite different. Syrians must be kept solitary. Ensure anything you read is specifically about Syrians. Your pups are almost exactly the same as mine so it you do things the same way you should be fine. My pups are all over 50g now. I would expect them to be at least 75g before I will let them go and at least 6 weeks.
The Halluperts

[2ndwindranch]

Awesome, thank you!

I'm surprised the pet store would sell 2 when we specifically said "let's get 2?so they won't be lonely". I'm so glad I found this site!

[souffle]

Pets stores have no idea. Your hamsters were likely siblings too and sibling matings are really not a good idea.
You can get some genetic faults coming up in sibling matings. Fingers crossed all is well with them though.
Even in the wild Syrian hamsters are solitary and would only tolerate another for mating. Your hamsters were staying together because they were young and would likely have fought pretty soon anyway. She needs very well fed now as she is likely still growing herself. Mine are eating bucketloads just now and putting on about 10g every few days! Be very generous with growing pups.

[2ndwindranch]

Thank you so much souffle, you've been very helpful!

I felt the same as far as them being siblings. These guys seem to be ok with no defects. Mom actually has a nice little get away within the cage that only she can climb up to and the pups can't yet or haven't figured it out yet, so she's doing a good job weening them hersself. The pet store did agree to take the dad back and give our son a store credit. In order to give them more room when we bought then, we bought 2 cages and had a tube connect them. So, conveniently enough, we've been able to separate the parents. I'll just return dad and then have a cage for the boys.

[souffle]

You can just use a couple of storage bins for the pups for a few weeks till they are ready to move to their new homes.
Aww it seems a shame to return the dad. Can you not keep him and let the pups all go. It is best they have individual homes where they get all the attention they need with a loving family.