Newish here!

[HellsBells]

Hey everyone,

I've had hamsters since I was about 8 or 9, which is 20 years already. I have some sort of special gift with hamsters as they usually all like me

I used to have Syrian Hamsters for 20 years, but since I'm chronically ill I can't handle the cage anymore (which is big 100x50x100 with three complete floors) for cleaning. Therefor this year I got myself a winter white. It's a lot different, and this little man came from an animal shelter.

After I got a group of Campbells but even though I did a lot of reading up on them I chose the wrong breeder anyway leaving me with them all housed in different cages because they do not get along. In December I'm getting a group that does come from a good breeder, this will be a group of 6 Campbells and hopefully I'll have more luck with them. Hence my name 'Hells Bells', it's an AC/DC song but it fits perfectly with Campbells if you ask me. On my avatar is Nuka, I also got Vim! and Cherry. My winter white is (Mad) Hatter.

Glad to be back!

[cypher]

Hi & welcome to the forum

Look forward to hearing more about your little ham.

I wouldn't be too ready to blame the breeder for your group not working out, I hope you have better luck second time around but keeping two or more together really is a challenge & it's quite common & natural for them to fall out as they mature.

[Pebbles82]

Hello and welcome! Sounds like you have your hands full. It's very common for pairs or groups to need separating, and they can often fall out after a change of environment (ie move to a new home or new cage). Set up can help them get along (although you probably already know that!) eg for each hamster, their own house, wheel, food bowl and water bottle, which helps prevent territorial behaviour - and no levels which can encourage territorial behaviour as one of them guards it. With 6 Campbells that does sound like a lot of houses and wheels! So maybe someone with more experience in keeping groups of dwarf hamsters might be able to advise on set up.

[HellsBells]

Originally Posted by cypher

I wouldn't be too ready to blame the breeder for your group not working out

After I got the Bells I suddenly heard a lot of bad stories about him bad breeding them unfortunately. They are not completely pure either, not even close to pure I heard. Most people with Bells from them are having trouble and had to separate them. The new breeder I chose I've been following her for a few months already since she has her own facebook group. She breeds with German Campbells and I've never heard anyone that got groups from her that they needed to be separated. So, with her I'm willing to risk it again. Yes, I do got my hands full

[Thin Lizzy]

Hiya and Welcome to HC.