Sleeping Arrangements?? Calling WW owners/Experts!

Holly · 03-12-2007, 04:16 AM

Well, we are now the proud owners of two little WW brothers - a Normal and Pearl (from LMDH - some of you might know her from other forums).

I was hoping to introduce them with piccies tonight (we've left them to settle in so far, though they've both been out playing last night and are already amusing us with their antics

) but feel the need to post this as I'm slightly concerned by their sleeping arrangments - already they are sleeping separately. Is this ok/normal?

I've followed all of the advice I've been given so far - we've got them a nice big single-roomed Gabber Rex cage, they've got two wheels, three 'sleeping areas' and I've scattered their food rather than putting it in a bowl. We haven't handled them yet (after school today - and in the bath!) so I put the carry cage into the main cage and then let them come out when they were ready - I then divided up the carry cage bedding into the three sleeping areas so that, hopefully, both their scents would be in all three areas. I did hear quite a bit of squeaking in the night - it didn't sound too frantic or panicked - just like the squeaking I heard them doing in their tub at the show - which LMDH said was normal.

However this morning I was worried about Turner (the Normal) as I hadn't seen him - Sparrow (the Pearl - get it?) has been up a couple of times (he really seems very un-phased and unafraid of us which is great). I felt the need to check on Turner and found him curled up and reluctant to move in the little house, while Sparrow is sleeping under the shelf.

Turner doesn't have any evidence of injuries but should I worry? It seems that the dominant one of the pairing might already be showing his colours

.....I do have another Gabber Rex (I found them being sold very cheaply) and will be able to separate if necessary but obviously won't do anything rash - I just feel a bit worried that they are sleeping apart already - I thought they'd be curled up together missing their brothers.......

souffle · 03-12-2007, 07:52 AM

I think you need to give them time Holly. They are in a strange new cage. with strange new bedding (not megazorb?) so they will be confused at the loss of their scent and littermates. They need time. If you are at all worried e mail LMDH and she will be happy to help. I would not delay with the handling now. They are very used to being handled which was very obvious at the show and I think it would be a mistake to break it off now. As LMDH said you must all handle both so that neither has any scent that the other does not so make sure you do this as she said this was the key. Rub the two together to mingle their scents and yours. We have some beautiful pics of them that PH took at the show so say the word and they will be posted for everyone to admire. Bye the way they are adorable and we are very jealous

Holly · 03-12-2007, 10:05 AM

Well, as usual I seem to have panicked rather too quickly - we have taken your advice, Souffle and just had them out in the playpen - it was fantastic! They played together to start with and Sparrow didn't even really seem to be the dominant one - when they were both in the loo roll tube it was Sparrow who gave way for Turner after a bit of squeaking!

They were a bit unsure of us for about five minutes - then it was like they've known us forever

.....we've all made sure that each of us has picked up both of them and they've both a few minutes in both mini-exercise balls (remembering what LMDH said yesterday). I've also switched bedding over from each area where they were sleeping to mingle up their scents.

I feel much happier now - I have to say the boys are brilliant with them, very careful but confident and making sure they keep them low in case they they jump. I wouldn't have three such tame and happy Syrians if it weren't for the boys and it seems they are going to be the same with the WW's

(although we are starting with 'breeder handled' hams this time which really shows).

I managed to get a few (rather blurred) pics which I'm off to post now - if you have any of our boys that you'd like to post, Souffle, that would be wonderful

**babyboos** · 03-12-2007, 03:03 PM

Sarah is a memeber here though sadly we haven't heard from her for a while
so glad you get to experience breeder hamsters, keep up the good work handling the new guys for a few minutes each night Winter Whites really are great pets

Holly · 03-13-2007, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboos

so glad you get to experience breeder hamsters, keep up the good work handling the new guys for a few minutes each night

I can see the 'breeder' difference already - I thought T, C and M were pretty tame when got them - we were handling them after a few days, though they were a little jumpy for a couple weeks and we did have a couple of nips - but Sparrow and Turner, despite being 'fast' dwarf hams, were actually sitting on our hands last night, first time we handled them!

Unfortunately I'm working until midnight tonight - when I work late I usually get T,C and M out very briefly for a hug and give them an exercise ball run while I have a quick shower. I'll just have to get the new boys out very briefly - Will comes home early tomorrow morning so, if they are still up, we can do the main handling session then. I've got four days off after today so all the hams will get plenty of attention.

**babyboos** · 03-14-2007, 05:00 PM

oh I bet they will get spoiled on your days off don't feel too bad if you only manage few minutes one night, or even just a hello