Bronte's litter born 9th March 2008

**Spuds Mum** · 03-13-2008, 11:51 AM

well the pups are now 4 days old and Bronte is coping well. It appears to be a very large litter.

As Bronte tends to leave the nest open, it is quite easy to get a sneaky glimpse of the pups, and their skin is already darkening significantly. Their ears are now visible and are starting to lift slightly away from the head. Very dark eyes seen behind the skin tell me that the babies are going to be black eyed, and of course we do expect golden babies, so that fits in. It doesnt look as though there will be any suprises in the litter at this stage, but I haven't of course had an in depth look, just a quick glance.

At a quick count I did get up to 16 pups, but of course, I cant discount the possibility that some got counted twice or missed altogether in fact, due to the wriggle factor.

I came home from work tonight and went up to the hamster room, taking with me some hamster food bowls that had been washed. As I entered the room I dropped a ceramic one, and Bronte shot out from the nest and hid in her one toy, a cardboard tube (she loves chewing these).

So much for protective Mum!

She scattered pups behind her and I had a couple of minutes of indignant squeals as she picked them up one by one to return them to the nest.

Thankfully she quickly settled down and seems none the worse for her fright!

Mollz · 03-13-2008, 12:53 PM

Aww, it's great that everything seems to be going so well and that Bronte is (mostly

) being a good mum. At least she seems to have settled down again though.

Can't wait to hear (and see) these gorgeous babies growing up into the beautiful little hamsters they will soon be

Basia · 03-13-2008, 03:21 PM

She's a character isn't she!

That's a very impressive litter, I'm glad she's doing them well, even if self-preservation takes over in emergencies!

**Spuds Mum** · 03-13-2008, 03:29 PM

she sure is a character Gill, and she has been even more of one since having the pups. She keeps 'tasting' me when I put food in the cage or give her a quick stroke, not a bite as such but she just 'mouths' my knuckles, before pulling back when she realises it is not food! Very strange, I may be having to up her protein before I lose a finger or two, it being carted off back to the nest for breakfast in bed or something!

Basia · 03-13-2008, 03:32 PM

Its hungry work feeding a mega-litter! Bless her, perhaps you smell a bit like chicken?

**Spuds Mum** · 03-13-2008, 03:54 PM

hmmm not sure I want to smell like chicken? Especially with the price of my Issey Miyake perfume, Id rather smell a little more exotic

Bunsey · 03-13-2008, 05:35 PM

congrats! can't wait to see pics and find out the colours!

suga · 03-14-2008, 02:19 AM

Aww baby hammies - how exciting

Hope that mum and babes continue to do well.

**jayne** · 03-14-2008, 03:21 PM

Aww, Congrats on your new little ones!
Hope mum is doing well and cant wait to see them

**Spuds Mum** · 03-14-2008, 03:27 PM

thanks everyone, Mum and babies seem to be doing very well. its so amazing to see them change day by day, they are really dark now, and I think they will all be golden, as expected. At this stage, and from quick looks, they all seem very chubby and rounded. To see them yawn and then smack their lips together or to see one suckling on anothers foot is just the most amazing thing.