Robo Hamsters - Page 2

Toodlepip · 05-30-2012, 02:55 PM

These 2 have been as happy as larry for 4 weeks and I have been enjoying them so much.....my first hamsters and I didnt think I would get so much pleasure (bought for my daughters!!) and now this starts!

**Pompompoms** · 05-30-2012, 03:54 PM

Ten weeks is a little earlier than usual, but perfectly possible. Pied's aren't smaller generally, but robos can really range in size. My boys have 14g difference between the heaviest and lightest. My girls nearly as much.

Get them sexed as a priority, if you're not confident yourself, take them to your local vet. They cold well both be boys, but if they're not obviously you need them apart as soon as possible.

Have you got everything set up to give them the best chance possible? Two of everything, an open nest, no levels to claim dominance over, scattered food?
It's good that Pip seems fine with it all, look out for him not eating, changes in weight, changes in fur condition if he stops grooming, sleeping apart as he's not allowed in the nest, keeping to the edges of the cage, dashing quickly from covered areas. Look out for tufts of fur missing from his bum as that's the usual first attack area, and keep an eye out under the fur on the bum as often the first little nips you wont see, but it will be building into a bigger attack which obviously you want to avoid.

Have you another cage ready should you need to separate? As Pip seems relaxed so far it's nothing more than a display of dominance which Pip is unbothered by, and as long as none of the signs I've mentioned are present, I actually wouldn't separate yet, but keep a very very close eye on them.

Just make sure Pip isn't a Pippa first

Toodlepip · 05-30-2012, 04:08 PM

Thanks for your detailed response - very helpful. Think i have most of it covered but will keep a close eye on them and pop into vets.

**Pompompoms** · 05-30-2012, 04:12 PM

You're welcome, I'm not often in this section as I stick to certain ones or I'd be on here all day and night! Please feel free to pm me, if I can be of any more help, but I will try and pop back in here to see how you're getting on

Toodlepip · 06-01-2012, 02:51 PM

UPDATE: Well it turns out our little Pip is indeed a Pippa. Pets at Home offered to keep one or both of them but I couldnt do that so they gave me another cage and have offered to take the babies when they are 4/5 weeks old when or if they arrive. They think that she will almost certainly be pregnant. So sad that they have had to be separated. They have given me lots of advice but guess I will have to swot up on breeding information now just in case!!!

**Pompompoms** · 06-01-2012, 03:54 PM

Oh dear, I did wonder if that were the case. She may well be pregnant, but it's also possible she's not.

Robo boys can often get going a little later than other hams, ten weeks isn't that old at all, has your boy dropped yet? They often haven't by that age which will be in Pip's favour. Sometimes the scent gland and the balls aren't visible at ten weeks, but the mounting behaviour will have started, beginning to practice as it were.

So yes little Pippa could be carry babies, but there is a chance you may have got in there in time.

If I can help you at all should there be a pregnancy please let me know, and I will give you any advice/help I can. If she is pregnant, and only just pregnant you will know in 21 days, before hand she is likely to get a little skittish, possibly a little nibbly, and start building a huge nest so give her lots of bedding and a nice open space for it. She is likely not to show till just before unless there are a lot of babies, Bianca and Lilly I knew two days before as they got the ridge on their back and rounded off, Daisy a little earlier, but she was carrying eight babies.

At the moment you need to give her a little extra protein, but not change anything else, nearer the time, there will be modifications to the cage to be made, but worry about that should the situation arise

Toodlepip · 06-01-2012, 04:07 PM

Thanks....I've started swotting up. More upset at fact that they are now both on their own in their separate cages.

**Pompompoms** · 06-01-2012, 04:13 PM

Don't worry, they will settle down fine given a little time, if there do happen to be babies, you could cosider putting a baby boy in with dad at four weeks, and leaving a baby girl with mum.

Toodlepip · 06-01-2012, 04:28 PM

Aah now that has cheered me up......I had thought about keeping a girl with mam but didnt think i could a boy with dad. Pip has been eating a lot more than usual tonight and made trips out at teatime tonight....could this be sign of pregnancy do you think?

**kyrilliondaemon** · 06-01-2012, 04:43 PM

If its any consolation - I missexed a robo, introduced "her" to our lonely female, and got away with it. Realised "she" was actually a he a few weeks ago and they'd been separate since February lol (Looks like its a good thing that pairing never worked out...)
I got away with it so you might too

And at least you didn't confidently missex your male and introduce them or anything... Muffin looked female and yeah, you can imagine the shock I had when I saw "she" had grown testicles and developed a large scent gland stain lol