Pairs: One With A Litter, One Without. Opinions?

[Charley101]

Originally Posted by KimOrbit

Hi

A good space for a dwarf is 50cm X 30cm.

I have no knowledge on breeding but I just want to say I personally think that is too small and escpecially if that refers to keeping a pair together...

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

Please, stop saying things you've read or heard elsewhere because most of them are wrong and its not just a problem with translation.

I'm so sorry Kim but I completely agree with Sam. I am no breeding expert and wouldn't give advice unless I knew exactly what I was talking about. There are many members who have bred successfully so maybe it would be best to let them answer just to be on the safe side?

[KimOrbit]

you are completely right.

But the reason of answering this question was I asked it from a breeder. But I will stop giving advices unless Im 100% sure about that

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it
Though I am still concerned about Kiku being alone I had a long think about this situation and I would rather enjoy my first litter and have things simple so I don't want to be worrying 24/7 about whether Kiku could cause harm to the mum and pups or that the mum may harm Kiku. I'll have plenty on my plate anyway! I'd rather introduce a female pup (if we have any) to Kiku if she isn't coping well at the time the pups are ready to leave mum since pairing up different aged hams is something I have had experience with and have more confidence with.

I have to admit I'm really enjoying being able to give Kiku cuddles everyday so having her alone isn't entirely bad

Thanks again

[vanilla-yazoo]

how many females would you have for breeding?

you could have one with her, whilst one breeds, and wait a good few weeks after her litter have left her, so her hormones settle, she can get back to normal, then introduce her to kiku and swap the other female for her turn at a litter, this wont mean litters one after the other, more like one will be away for 3 months, and comes back, the other is away for 3 months.

I have absolutely no skill in keeping hams in pairs, but its a suggestion, I know poms has played robo shuffles, so it might work, if not then keeping a daughter for kiku will be great.
how would she feel if she was in a bigger cage with a barrier down the middle, like kyrils zz2 barrier, she will have a decent amount to herself, and you could always have it 60-40 and the litter in the 60 side, so she dosnt loose scent of mum and they can communicate though the barrier.

I think tammy has on her site a thing saying she tried colonies but it didnt work out right, so she prefers to do it one on one.

my only worry would be if the breeding female has had a litter, would she scence a difference in kiku or just adopt her for beeing teeny weeny as a daughter?

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

I will only be having one breeding female this year, I haven't the space for more than one litter at a time just yet (I'm already doing a big shuffle at the moment to make room for the new cages!) I think I will just stick to introducing a daughter to Kiku now as I'm not sure I am up for the task of this plan any more (I also can't afford yet another new cage )
Thanks for your ideas though! I may still try this out in the future when I have a lot more experience

[fluffymunchkins]

I had this dilemma when starting breeding
For one thing i had to part Squishy with his cagemate, thankfully this worked out well for Squirt as he prefers to be alone. However, it caused a problem when splitting up roo and squishy as he then sulked for some time (he was then over the moon to be with her again ). Putting male babies in with dad shouldn't cause too much fuss and Squishy was happy enough to take them all under his wing.

With Rowena I had her on her own from a baby and she was accustomed to living solitary. So it was a relief for her to have a break from squishy and be on her own with the least amount of stress possible to raise the litter. Though another female could help with the litter, they are more than capable alone so i feel this is best. The female will be extremely cranky and fall outs would be more likely during and after pregnancy. Having a daughter with the mother (or auntie) is a could option. I feel elder and younger pairings potentially get on better as there is less competition over whos dominant x

[Jessie]

I have heard different things from everyone but in my experience what I do is buy 2 females about 6-8 weeks old, keep them together and then I breed them both. they stay together in a 50 gallon aquarium to raise their pups. I gave them a 5 week break from nursing, sometimes more and then I breed one, when her pups are weaned i breed the other one. they seem to help with rearing the pups and I have never had an issue. ...

Oh, I don't breed them at 6-8 weeks, I breed them at about 16 weeks...

I have however had problems putting males together.. my male lives with the male babies from his litter until they are 8 weeks old. sometimes longer.. he has one permanent cage mate that is his son.. about 8 months old.. I don't know, my hamsters are eerily easy going it seems.. I never have issues

[Vectis Hamstery]

Please check the dates on threads before replying and use the 'edit' button to amend posts rather than adding an extra reply.

[obscura]

Originally Posted by KimOrbit

But the reason of answering this question was I asked it from a breeder.

Anyone can call themselves a "breeder," or even breed for that matter. That doesn't mean they are experienced, have the correct knowledge, or use the best methods for breeding. Always keep that in mind.

[Jessie]

sorry about that. I forgot about the edit button :P and I realize it's a couple months old...