Hello and advice

[Vinter]

Hello!

I have not had hamsters for quite a few years so Im looking into getting my first one(s) and maybe, a big maybe, get into breeding them.

Im currently looking for a young syrian hamster but am having much luck in finding a breeder close me, Cambridge UK, and since I do not have a car I am unable to travel far for one.

I know it is possible to buy hamster at hamster shows but they are all during weekends and I work weekends and its very hard for me to get one free.

Is there any way I could get a hamster from the sales at shows without physicaly going to the show and is there a way to get a hamster "delivered" to cambridge?

any advice id appreciated!

Thank you!!

[souffle]

Grantabrugge Hamstery is in Cambridge so it may be worth contacting them and asking to go on their waiting list?
Grantabrugge Hamstery Homepage (http://www.grantabruggehamstery.co.uk/)

[Pebbles82]

It would be better to collect a hamster than have it delivered :-) The journey home with you is part of the process where they get to know you, and it can be quite stressful for them if transported by someone who isn't an owner and maybe isn't as caring or interested, or careful.

If no litters available from nearby breeders, and shows not an option, would the idea of adopting appeal at all? Rescues will often "deliver" hamsters or meet you half way and at least then they are being delivered by someone who cares and knows about hamsters.

There are a couple of pet rescues who have hamsters in Cambridge listed here:

SmallPetsMatter.co.uk - Rodent rescues in the east of England (http://www.smallpetsmatter.co.uk/east.php)

Also people advertise unwanted hamsters on Gumtree and on this website

https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/search/?type_id=9&breed_id=429&location=cambridge&distance=61&results=10&sort=distance

[Vinter]

to contact Grantabrugge Hamstery, would it be better by facebook or email?
already sent a facebook message a couple days ago but i can imagine they could be busy and have not seen it yet.

will keep an eyed for adptions!

i was wondering how breeders normally start their own lines? or how did they start? with pet shop hamsters?

pros and cons of starting breeding program with hamster pet shop or mixing oet shop with lined hamsters?

[Pebbles82]

Sorry I missed the bit about breeding - so you would want a hamster from a breeder then. Breeding is a big topic and not encouraged without knowing a lot about genetics. Getting to know another breeder and getting a hamster from them would help you learn what you can and can't breed. Things can go horribly wrong and there are cases of eyeless whites being born etc.

So no breeding from a pet shop hamster isn't a good idea - or an adopted hamster. You need to know the hamster's genetic background and a breeder hamster should come with a birth certificate showing that.

You could join the Midland Hamster Club (part of the National Hamster Council) and find out more about breeding. This is their list of breeders

MHC Breeders – Midland Hamster Club (http://www.midlandhamsterclub.co.uk/about-the-mhc/mhc-breeders/)

Also have a look at this sticky on the forum about breeding :-)

http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/breeding-hamsters/309-think-before-you-breed.html

[Vinter]

Breeding for me could possibly come a little bit later after getting used to own and tame hamster all over again from a 10 years hiatus xD

Ive already started looking around websites with the syrian hamsters genetics and have read about the eyeless whites.

My only in dept genetics experience i have is horse colour genetics and their lethal combinations in the case of lethal white but not sure if thats a plus to get better acquainted with hamster genetics.

I wondered about the pet shop/adopted hamsters cause I was curious about how every or almost every breeder started in the beginning. what was the starting point and if it was viable nowadays.

best way to know breeders is attending the shows?
will probably need to plan a trip to one, hope I can get a weekend day off :-k

will join the club for sure!

thanks