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Old 05-22-2017, 08:07 PM   #1
Roborovski Riddler
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Exclamation ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

Hello all!

My 2 Roborovski hamsters previously both thought to be females are now parents! I noticed it when 6 pups were visible in a nest at the corner of the cage. I can only guess that it has been many several hours since birth.

As a first time hamster-baby-owner, I am in great need of help! So far I have done these:
-Refilled its food bowl and water bowl
-Added toilet paper pieces for bedding
-Removed wheel
-Separated male from female

However, there have been some major complications. When I came to the cage, one of the hamsters was badly injured on its lower back area (far away from birth canal) and it looks like the injury was from a bite. It is very red and somewhat swollen. This injury has made it a little hard to identify the male and female from each other, and I'm very worried I've separated the wrong hamster! The behavior and appearance of the hamster that I've left with the babies is: highly aggressive, (non-injured) and checking on babies covering them, arranging them, ect. The hamster seems to be slightly larger than the other, more active, and its nipples are more prominently seen. However the hamster that I separated (thinking it is male) is less active, slightly smaller, getting chased/attacked by the other hamster when together, and seems uninterested in the babies. I am very confused because I thought the male should be chasing the female after birth (to restart pregnancy) and the hamster that I separated has redness/injuries that make it seem as though it had just given birth, while the supposed mother is completely unharmed.

Some other questions I have is if 6 babies is the right amount for a litter, if any other changes should be made to the cage (adding bedding, moving the "house", removing the wheel, ect). Also what do you recommend I should do with the new hamsters? I don't have many friends interested in adopting a hamster and I obviously can't care for 6 more of them! Also, does the male need professional help or do you think this can heal by itself?
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Old 05-22-2017, 11:55 PM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

That must have been a shock. You have done the right thing separating them. The female likely objected to him trying to mate with her and bit him.
If you left one with nipples in then that will be the female as males do not have nipple lines. How long have you had them? If less than a couple of weeks it is possible one was pregnant when you got them.
I'd check the male today and see how bad the bite is. If small it will likely heal in about 10 days. They can look worse when the blood has spread. If it gets red and sore then he needs to see a vet otherwise it should heal. He will sulk a bit for a while then should be fine.
Look here for more advice Oak Farm Roborovskis
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:58 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

It sounds like you've done all the right things Be careful not to disturb Mum and babies for now - no clean outs or handling the babies, or she might cull them. The link Souffle added has just about everything you need to know about Roborovski's and breeding. I think they need sexing and separating boys from girls at 4 weeks or the babies can mate after that. So you'll need a couple of extra bins/cages. Maybe even 3. It's supposed to be quite difficult to sex them sometimes, so if there are any that are "uncertain" they would need to be on their own. Otherwise, girls in one cage, boys in another. But you have 3 or 4 weeks to sort that

Once it's safe to handle the babies you could take photos and advertise them as being ready in x weeks. But best not to photograph them until they are a bit older or it might disturb Mum. Whereabouts are you based?
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Old 05-27-2017, 11:51 AM   #4
dreamtree1234
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

What a shock - congrats on the litter! I will be wishing that everything goes well for you, the two parent hammies, and all of their pups.
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Old 05-27-2017, 12:53 PM   #5
Nancy's Hamsters
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

Is it possible that both are females and one was pregnant at purchase? I'd see if a skilled person able to double check gender might be located. The other with prominent nipples could mean both girls were bred and the bigger has yet to birth(praying I am wrong here) But this is another possibility for this situation.

If that is the case you'll have two cages with happy Moms before long.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:47 PM   #6
FluffyHamsterButts
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

I was going to say the same as Serendipity7000, that's probably best to find them homes.

A few people have already said, but I would get both their genders checked by a professional, a vet or something. You may have got the hamster when already preggers.

Avoid handling the mum and babies, after all, you wouldn't like to be picked up and cuddled after having a baby while your kids are alone. (It can panic the mum)
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Old 05-30-2017, 09:22 PM   #7
Roborovski Riddler
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Smile Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

Thanks for all your help.

It's been about 2 weeks, and things are going well. To answer previous questions, I've already had the hamsters for about 6 months, so fortunately I can confirm that one is female and the other is male.

The male's injury is healing up pretty well, though it still has a large patch of black skin where fur is not growing... Hopefully this will cover up.

The female's pups are yet to open their eyes, but there are still 6 of them (yay!) as far as I can tell. I've been feeding the mother boiled egg, almonds, oats and some fruit, as well as its original dry store-bought food.

I'm located in Northern Virginia, and I'm planning to sell/give away the hamsters to anyone who is willing to put them in good care! In the next couple weeks though, I'll probably have some problems with sexing them, so I will take them to a professional identifier. Thanks for all the help once again!
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Old 06-01-2017, 03:58 AM   #8
Vectis Hamstery
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Default Re: ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help!

I'm glad mum, dad and the pups are doing well. If you are listing the hamsters for rehoming, I'd recommend putting a price on them which is similar to what someone would pay in a pet shop - you don't want people seeking out a 'bargain' especially if you're advertising on the free-ad sites. You may choose not to take the money or donate it to a rescue/charity, but by advertising them for money it helps to select out some of the people who may be less inclined to give them life-long care. I look forward to seeing photos when their eyes open. Baby robos are such fun!
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