Ideal First-Time Breeding Age?

[Holly]

I've been thinking a lot about this lately - after Smartie's no-show on the babies front I've been thinking that, perhaps, waiting until 5 months to mate a female is too late??? If I have to get a first litter in by the time she's 6 months and her cycle is all messed up then I'm pushing it a bit....

Then I remembered that I've read in some books that you can mate them for the first time up to around 8 months of age - I'm used to (the oft-repeated on forums!) 6 month maximum age for the first litter.

Which is correct - do any breeders here mate females up to eight months or is this either wrong info or wrongly remembered by me?

Also are four month old's usually sufficiently mature and large enough to raise a litter? I mated Molly last night and she's just over 4 months old and 180g.

Any advice much appreciated!

[Mollz]

Another question I was considering asking
I can't help, but I will look forward to seeing what people reply as I was planning on mating Amelie at 4 months.

[Matty Day]

i think so athenas six months and she has had no problems so far i belive 8 months latest should be ok afterall the female would be bigger and more mature
i would go no later than eight thougth

as some chinese breeders pair a female up at three months and have no problems as it normly takes a month for a litter you should be ok.

[Basia]

I personally wouldn't risk mating a female later than 6 months mainly because of an experience with a rescue guinea pig who was too old for a first pregnancy. I don't want to ever experience anything like that again.
I would rather mate them a bit too young at say 4 months than a bit too old but will probably stick to my 5 months and if I don't get her mated by 6 months so be it.

[Mollz]

Hm, yes I have always read never to breed older than 6 months as their pelvic bones will have fused and they will have sever problems giving birth. I suppose as long as the girl is fully developed and big enough (like Julie's Molly, who is 180g, is surely as big as some 5/6 months olds) then it should all be ok?
Hopefully some of the larger scale breeders will have a good answer to this.

[Spuds Mum]

Its an interesting one Julie, I believe that, from what I have read that the reason given for the 'before 6 months' rule is that the female pelvis may fuse together after this age as it does for example (I believe) in cavies.

Again from what I have heard there is no definitive proof that this does happen and that 6 months is the magic age, but it has been used as 'just in case' advice.

I think it is much more appropriate to ensure that your female is mature enough, healthy and strong, and it is for this reason that a minimum age is given. A maximum age recommendation for a first litter is given for similar reasons. I prefer to take the advice 'just in case'. I dont know about other breeders.

[Matty Day]

i would say that theese ages are rougth guidelines health etc of the female is more important. i would have no qualms paring a female chinese at three months thougth after 6 months i would switch to the syrian method


and what about the syrain colours which mature later? ie female dark greys

[Mollz]

Originally Posted by Matty Day

and what about the syrain colours which mature later? ie female dark greys

As far as I know, the maturity of the colour will not effect the quality of the colour that is passed on to the offspring. For example, if a hamster is going to mature into a beautiful example of the colour then the genes for this will still be passed on as they will still be carried in the chromosomes no matter what stage of the development the hamster is at. I think

I will personally stick within the reccommended ages as I do not have anywhere near enough experience to decide whether it is true or not about the pelvic bones fusing. I'm sure there may have been successful first matings/birthings after this age, but am not sure that I would want to risk losing one of my girls just to take the chance. I would rather not have a litter. Although I can't imagine that a few days/one week would make too much of a difference so would consider going over by a maximum of a week.

[Spuds Mum]

I dont think that colour makes a lot of difference in the way that a hamsters bones work Matty to be honest. So although the hamster may not be at its peak colour wise when mated, it is the safety aspect that is considered. Genetically of course, if a hamster is considered a good colour for its age, a breeder will gauge that and take it into account that the pups will inherit those traits too, even if the mother/father will improve their colour after the mating. hope that makes sense.

I think I know another possible reason why Julie is asking the question as this cropped up at yesterday's show for one reason or another, and I too will be interested to find out whether more experienced breeders will consider it!

[Matty Day]

its not just that mollz i think dark greysand some other colours take longer to growto a good weight? can anyone confirm this