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Old 11-18-2019, 11:36 AM   #1
karlh
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Default Prevent mum pregnancy from son

My ast male Campbell passed away two weeks ago,
As I could not find "boys to go", I opted to go for 2 FEMALES. That was, I think a mistake...

On 4th Nov I brought home 2 eight-weeks old Campbell sisters. They settled in very well, as they have been handed a lot by their breeder.
On saturday 16th at 6 p, just before we had out evening meal, I discovered that One of then, Gigi, has given birth to 7 babies in the past hour. What a surprise!!
As new mum shooed away her sister,Gabby, I promptly arranged the cages in a new configuration, giving both a self-contained cage. They well settled in.

As I do not want to get involved in sale/rehousing, I have agreed with their breeder to take them to the breeder, to do with them as the breeder feels fit.

I have not seen the babies yet.
I wonder when would it be safe to remove the babies, to ensure that the mum does NOT get made pregnant by one of her sons, should she have any. I could not possibly manage yet another unwelcome litter.

I see that I could attempt to sex them at three weeks old and separate them into a separate, divided area of s new cage.
any help/reference would be appreciated

thanks, dear friends
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Old 11-18-2019, 12:26 PM   #2
Vectis Hamstery
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

Oh my! What a surprise!

I'm glad Gabby is separated out from Gigi and her litter.

It is safe to leave mum with her babies until the babies are 4 weeks old. It is at that time you should separate the males from the females. You can tell the sexes from 2 weeks old (the earliest it is safe to touch the babies) but the babies should stay with their mum until they are 4 weeks old. They need to feed from her and learn how to be a hamster

Don't touch or disturb the mum or babies from now until the babies' eyes are fully open at 2 weeks old. I'm glad the breeder is taking the babies back.

Although I wrote this about Chinese hamsters, the principles are the same for Campbells too: https://vectishams.com/chinese-hamster-litter-care/
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Old 11-19-2019, 09:51 AM   #3
karlh
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

Hi
Many thanks for the advice; much appreciated. Indeed, it was a SURPRISE. Particularly, as all of the past 18 or so, Dwarves, were all boys...

So far, no problems. Gabby is settled in a re-configured cage, with a new tube maze.
Gigi eat well/

I just wonder, would it be ever possible to re-introduce Gabby to Gigi, after the kids have gone? I assume that neither will the slightest of memories of each other. Or, is there a litter/family scent, that remains and enables easier meet? It would be sad, I think to have them live alone as such..
I Have a sad experience of this with my last group og 4 Campbell boys; with names starting with "F". Two week after arrival, one bit his bother on the nose and that was the end of that poor little creature. Died on the spot. I had to separate them and they lived in their own self-contained penthouses for over two years. Freddy, just past couple of weeks ago, at 2 yrs and 3 months.....
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Old 11-20-2019, 12:43 AM   #4
Vectis Hamstery
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

It's good that Gabby and Gigi are settling well living alone. I would not recommend putting them back together after the babies are grown. They are likely to argue which will be stressful to them (as well as dangerous as you have found). They will be happy living alone.
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Old 11-21-2019, 01:12 AM   #5
karlh
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

Hi
Many thanks. Will do as suggested. Indeed, I had a bad experience with my last group of 4 male Campbells. I have had a number of male groups before, but never what happened with the last one:
Must have been at home about 2 weeks, when Felix had a bad sudden fight in a wheel with his brother. He bit him on his nose and the poor blighter was dead - there and than... so sad. So, to avoid any repeats, I separated them into separate self-contained penthouses. They were quite happy, as far as I could tell. Always enjoys my company. Went out in their balls often. I guess, they met in their favourite spot and had a very good chat about whatever..-)

So, will let Gabby and Gigi to live as next door neighbours, with having the opportunity to chat over the top, but not face to face.
Time will tell. Will keep you aware with events with the current littler

cheerio, as some say
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Old 11-21-2019, 05:44 AM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

I think it;s good you are going to keep them separate, daft question maybe, but with Gigi giving birth, are you sure Gabby is a girl? Or did the pregnancy happen at the breeders?
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Old 11-22-2019, 03:42 AM   #7
karlh
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

Good morning
A very good question. But simple arithmetic will help, perhaps.
I collected Gigi and Gabby, about 8 weeks old, on 4th NOV at 6 pm. On SATURDAY 16th at about 5.30 pm, Gigi gave birth. The breeder assumes that the father is Gigi's father. Bit strange. Why were the girls kept in the same cage as their father? But, let's not dwell on this too much...
Well, I can be as sure as one could with these little creatures whether Gabby is a MALE or not. Gestation period is 21 DAY, so add 21 to 4, the date of arrived, that would give a date of birth for Gabby's litter 25 NOV. LATER.
As Gabby is allegedly more than 8 weeks old now, I should be able to see MALE appendices - her/his testicles, which normally cannot be missed,
So, the proof of everything will be 27th NOV, the date out of the DANGER zone...

I NOTE, I will have a 2nd family...

will keep you posted
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Old 11-22-2019, 01:41 PM   #8
karlh
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

WOW - yet another surprise!!!
when trying to collect their plates to prepare their evening meal, I was surprised:

I saw a ONE WEEK OLD pup, eating solid broccoli ..
However, the pup's outing did not last long. Gigi came, picking up ny the scruff and dragged him back to the nest.... End of outing.. for the time being, I guess..
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Old 11-28-2019, 04:32 PM   #9
karlh
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

Hi
The pups are now almost 2 weeks old (on Saturday). Not quite sure how many there are, but so far counted to six. Hard to do, as some are of same colour...
They now eat solid food and their eyes are open, to see how to get into and out of the wheel... Nice to see how much they have grown and what they can do at such an early life.
Gig, the Mum, does not stay in the next most of the time. She goes often toi the adjacent cage. The babies are simply everywhere.

Good news! Arithmetically speaking, Gabby, the sister could NOT have a litter, as she is now 3 days past the latest day she could have babies.

The babies should be weaned off at 28 days. But I also understand that the boys of the litter also sexually mature at the same time. HOW DO I PREVENT ANY OF THE SONS IMPREGNATE THEIR MOTHER?
Can I separate them couple of days earlier? would that work?
I DO NOT want to end up with yet another family...

I will attempt to sex them, but do not think I can do it with much success.
Can I just put them in a cage for couple of days before I take them to the breeder?
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Old 11-28-2019, 07:53 PM   #10
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Default Re: Prevent mum pregnancy from son

When I got my hybrid, he was 25 days old and still in the same cage as his siblings. This is a very experienced breeder, so I suppose it’s still safe at that age, but probably not for long.

Also, the good breeders around here start handling the babies every day at 9 days old and their babies are very friendly and don’t bite. They still need taming but there is a lot done already when you get them.
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