First time breeder :)

[Availia]

Hi all *waves*

Was just looking for some advice and pointers from experienced hamster breeders, as I'm a first time breeder of my syrians, and although I've been researching on the subject long before the 'conception' was just wondering if anyone could provide some pointers etc...

For example putting the wheel back in the cage, I took it out a few days before Daisy was due to give birth, her pups are 5 days old now and Daisy seems to be looking pretty bored, so is the wheel meant to go back in the cage by week 2 along with the first cleaning, or can it go in sooner.. or is it later?

Also how long can Daisy be away from her pups for? I've been letting her have a quick run around for about 5minutes because one of the people I work with who's bred hamsters before says 5 minutes would be ok (I work in a pet store btw), but once I put her back in she's desperately trying to get back out of her cage again, and wondered if longer periods of time would be ok...

Think that's it for now, been feeding her on protein rich foods, like scrambled egg, read chicken was ok so been giving her small pieces of cooked chicken, got her some egg protein stuff that we feed hamsters with wet tail at work with which is sposed to be really good for them... she's still got her normal hamster museli in there as well..

She's got 8 pups I think that I've counted, they're all looking pretty happy and healthy (and super cute)

I think I've covered everything lol... here's a pic!

[souffle]

There is some excellent information on the National Hamster Council site that you should read through here Breeding Syrian Hamsters - Advice & Guidance - National Hamster Council

We do not put the wheel back till the pups have been removed from mum at 4 weeks of age. Mothers can neglect pups if they have the chance to run too much and they get cold and underfed. The babies can also be hurt if they manage to get on or under the wheel.
Personally we do not take mums with such young litters out at all no matter how much they beg. They must tend to the pups pretty much all the time when they are so very young and it is not a good idea to take them out. Once the pups start toddling out at 10 days or so it may be OK to take her out for a cuddle but unless she is very laid back we would probably leave this until the babies eyes are open.
It really is a wonderful thing to see the babies grow and she sounds like she is doing a grand job.
Sorry I had to remove the pic as we do not allow pics of babies with their eyes shut on the forum but I look forward to seeing them when their eyes are open and hope all goes well.

[Availia]

aw no worries, I'll prob be taking hundreds of photos anyways once their eyes are open theyre looking too cute atm now theyre pigmentations have come in and some are starting to show signs of their fur coming in
thanks for the advice on the wheel, I did wonder as Daisy loves running in hers, pretty much that's all you used to hear at night lol, guess she'll just have to be a patient miss until the babies are up and moving about.

[souffle]

Once the pups are up and about we let mum have a run on her wheel in a playpen or box.
She won't be able to have it back in the cage though till the babies are all separated from her. The babies all jostle and try and get a go but we do let them try it in a playbox when they are about 3 weeks. We have a big apple kiddies sand box that the babies go in!

[Availia]

Originally Posted by souffle

Once the pups are up and about we let mum have a run on her wheel in a playpen or box.
She won't be able to have it back in the cage though till the babies are all separated from her. The babies all jostle and try and get a go but we do let them try it in a playbox when they are about 3 weeks. We have a big apple kiddies sand box that the babies go in!

aw sounds so cute ^^ really can't wait til mine are up and about, getting a little concerned atm cuz Daisy seems that desperate to get out she's chewing and pushing on the bars, and even chewing the bottom of her shelf and pushing on it which she's never done before, eventually she settles down but she can be doing this for like 15/20 mins at a time sometimes, is it ok for her to be leaving her pups for such a long time?

[souffle]

Are the pups wiggly and chirpy enough? As long as they appear well she must be tending to them. You may have to put her out of site of the family areas so she does not beg!
If possible check her nipples are not red and swollen looking. They can get mastitis and stay away from the pups if it hurts to suckle. If they seem OK give her nibbles sticks and sheets of kichen roll and cardboard tubes to trash to keep her mind off the bars!
They do need some time out though and mother knows best

[Availia]

Originally Posted by souffle

Are the pups wiggly and chirpy enough? As long as they appear well she must be tending to them. You may have to put her out of site of the family areas so she does not beg!
If possible check her nipples are not red and swollen looking. They can get mastitis and stay away from the pups if it hurts to suckle. If they seem OK give her nibbles sticks and sheets of kichen roll and cardboard tubes to trash to keep her mind off the bars!
They do need some time out though and mother knows best

Yeah I think it was cuz I was sat in the living room last night and the cages are in there lol, babies look fine and wriggly this morning (had a peek through the gap while daisy was having a drink) heard them squeeking last night ^^ starting to see a very fine fuzz of fur on some, and theyre all looking chubby xD counted 7 but I'm sure the 8th was prob hiding somewhere lol, I'll have a look at her nips tonight thanks for that pointer hmm she's already got a chewy stick and a cardboard roll in the cage, she uses it as a tunnel to her nest lol, I'll have a look if we do anything at work that can keep her occupied, maybe a munchy tunnel or something Really can't wait til i can start holding them, the suspense is killing me :P