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Old 11-06-2021, 09:38 PM   #1
Cairn
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Default Breeding Basics & Advice

Hello everyone. I am interested in breeding hamsters as a hobby. Now before you all go crazy and bash me over the head and tell me that it shouldn’t be done by beginners, let me give you a bit of background.

I’ve been around animals most of my life – from chickens to donkeys to piglets. I used to hobby breed sugar gliders. They are a type of exotic marsupial that glides like a squirrel. I absolutely loved it. I loved watching the joeys grow, I loved seeing the parents interact with the babies, I loved watching trust grow between me and the joeys and I loved meeting their new owners and passing on lots of info. It didn’t hurt that the babies were the most adorable things ever! It was absolutely beautiful to see life grow before my very eyes. I recently retired my breeding pair due to health concerns about my female. It was really sad, but her health is more important than continuing to have joeys.

SO. The point is that I really miss breeding. I miss having babies around. I want to try breeding another animal. Not for profit, but just because I enjoy it so much. I didn’t choose hamsters just because they’re common or any other such reason, but because I have a genuine interest in them. I am used to having a lot of responsibility for mother and babies and I’m not scared of it. I’m not making a snap decision either. I can afford vet bills and I have space for a large number of cages if needs be.

I understand that hamsters and sugar gliders are completely different animals and the whole process of breeding and pregnancy and raising babies is going to be completely different. But I am willing to learn and study my brain out, lol. That’s why I’m here. I want your advice and your thoughts and wisdom on breeding and dos and don’ts of general hamster care.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.
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Old 11-07-2021, 07:53 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Breeding Basics & Advice

Hello and welcome to HC!

As someone who rescues, fosters and rehomes hamsters i am morally obliged to bash you over the head, lol.

Seriously, do you really want to become another backyard breeder to add to the hamster population for your own benefit? It's just so wrong, in my opinion anyway.

There is an alternative you could look into though.

You could get in contact with rescues, animal charities or the rspca and volunteer to take in pregnant hamsters.

I know that my response isn't what you were looking for but i feel so strongly about hamsters that i simply couldn't help myself.
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Old 11-07-2021, 11:29 AM   #3
Fluffagrams
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 3,640
Default Re: Breeding Basics & Advice

As a breeder myself, I can hardly bash you over the head and this forum itself isn't anti-breeder providing that the breeding is done for the right reasons.

From an ethical standpoint, most breeders will look to breed to improve the species rather than for 'the fun of it' and to be able to do that, I would advise working with a respected breeder to find out about your chosen species of hamster in detail. You'll need to know about things like type (body and head shape), fur colours and quality as well as aspects like size and temperament.

You will need to consider where you will look to rehome any babies that you decide not to keep because Syrian Hamsters can have as many as 20 pups in a litter and how you are going to assess each prospective rehomer for their suitability.

You will also need to think about where you will source your breeding hamsters as there can be issues posed with the unknown ancestry of pet shop animals and there are serious complications that can arise when certain genes are combined.

I had been keeping Chinese Hamsters for some four years before I went into breeding them and prior to doing so, I had worked with a respected breeder for several months to not only source suitable hamsters for breeding but also to gain the knowledge I needed to breed hamsters the right way.
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