Breeding Hamsters
From Hamster Central WIKI
Before breeding there are a number of important questions to go over. Some of these questions are….
- Do I have the funds and space to buy separate hamster cages for the young?
- How will you find homes for the babies once they are old enough to leave?
- What happens if I cant find homes for the young?
- Am I contributing to the general well being and strain of the hamsters by breeding?
Contents |
Syrian Hamster:
Usually reach sexual maturity at around 3-6 weeks of age. However it is not recommended to breed a female younger then 4-6 months of age. Breeding to young can result in poor litter size and cannibalism of the young. Decided to breed the female for the first after the age of six months can result in complications in the birthing process.
Gestation is 15-18 days. The litter size ranges from 4-12 and weaning of the young occurs in 21 days.
Campbell’s Hamster:
Usually reach sexual maturity at around 4-5 weeks of age. Gestation is 18-22 days. The litter size ranges around 8 and weaning of the young occurs in 21 days.
The Campbell’s and winter whites can delay their pregnancy after being fertilized by a male. This process is called postimplantation diaphase.
Winter White Hamster:
Usually reach sexual maturity at around 4-8 weeks of age. Gestation is 18-22 days. The litter size ranges around 4-6 and weaning of the young occurs in 20 days.
The Campbell’s and winter whites can delay their pregnancy after being fertilized by a male. This process is called postimplantation diaphase.
Roborovski Hamster:
Usually reach sexual maturity at around 4-8 weeks of age Gestation is 20-22 days, their litter size ranges 3-5 and weaning of their young occurs in 19 days.
Chinese Hamster:
Usually reach sexual maturity at around 4-8 weeks of age. Gestation is 20-21 days. The litter size ranges from 4-5 and weaning of their young occurs in 21 days .
Estrous cycle, Breeding, Mating
Once sexually maturity is reached female hamsters will start to come into “season” or “heat” this is called Estrous. Hamsters come into estrous ever four days. You may notice that your female hamster becomes stiff sticking her tail up and widening her legs when you stroke her back. Estrous usually lasts 10-12 hours.
At this time the female should be placed in the males cage. If mating does not occur in 5 to 10 minutes or there is aggression take the female out of the cage. You may continue this for four days each night during the females estrous.
Gestation Period
Check on you hamster regularly, after about 10-15 days you will notice she has gotten much fatter. You may notice the pregnant mother acting more lethargic, not running on the exercise wheel as much. Pregnant hamster may show more aggression through their gestation.
In the Dwarf hamster females do not appear pregnant until a couple of days before the birth. Females may also start to show aggression towards the male.
Female hamsters will need extra food during the pregnancy. High protein foods like tofu, boiled egg, wheat germ should be added to the diet.
Handling of the female if fine until a few days before the pregnancy. Before the expected birth date it is a good idea to clean the cage out removing the exercise wheel and provide her with extra bedding and nesting materials such as shredded paper.
Try your best not to disturb her a few days before her expected birthing date and find a quiet place for her to stay during this period.
Birthing Process
The female will start to seem restless before giving birth and may show signs of extreme nest building. Usually females give birth during the evening or night or early morning. Each pup is born at 10-15 minutes intervals. During these intervals the female will either tidy her nest or sleep. The process can generally take about 2 hours.
Allow the mother to nurse the babies till they are about three weeks old. Try not to disturb the nest during this time as she may decide to turn on them and eat them. Attempts to change the bedding material would increase the likelihood of cannibalism so it's best to just let the cage be.
Development of the Pups
The nest should not be disturbed at this point in time or cleaned. And the babies should not be touched. In the case they are touched the mother will most likely reject them.
Continued feeding of high protein foods such as tofu, boiled egg, wheat germ This will help aid in the development of the pups and also help the mother.
The First Week: First born the pups are pink and hairless and their eyes are still closed shut. You will hear squeaking sounds as they nurse and communicate with their mother. In a few days their skin will develop a dark undertone depending on the babies color.
By six to ten days the pup’s ear cannels have opened, The body has short fur (fuzz) over it. The pups are starting to wonder out of the nest and are starting to much on solid food.
The Second and Third Week: The color of each baby is now starting to show through and the eyes are starting to open or are open. The pups are now starting to wonder farther from the nest. Besides munching on solid foods they are now also starting to drink their first sips of water and can now take small treats such as small apple bits.
Sixteen to twenty-one days: The hamster teeth are fully developed and they are now eating more solid food causing their growth rate to heighten. They now are tiny hamsters at about one to one half inch long. Fresh water should now be provided for the pups at all times.
A Month Old: The hamsters have now reached sexual maturity and should be separated into separate male and female cages. Syrians should be separated into different cages. If it’s a dwarf breed the females may be placed in a group and same with the males in separate sex cages.
Time for a new home: The ideal times to sell your hamsters are around thirty-five days to three months old. They are now fully weaned and independent.
