Help Baby hamsters and no idea what to do

Lori · 09-19-2012, 07:44 PM

hey all! So i recently bought a black bear hamster from the pet store ( i know shame on me) but turns out she was pregnant about 6 babies in her cage. I have done everything said on the site. keeping her alone in my room and keeping a blanket over her to keep the sun off during the day when im at school and i haven't touched her or the babies. I am doing my best but i am so scared she is going to eat them everyone keeps saying that she will. I have no idea what im doing here so im just looking for a little support in the matter.She seems to be a good mommy she always covers up the nest when she goes to the other side of the cage to get food and it appears that shes always feeding them. Its hard to tell because i am trying to avoid *peeking* so i only see what i happen to see when i flip on the light to go into my room. my other issues is im not sure when the babies where actually born it must be during a 3 day period between when i made changes to her cage saturday night and monday night since the babies where covered in the bedding where she usually slept its possible i missed them when i fed her. From what i understand between 4 and 5 weeks i need to separate them by sexes so i dont run into this situation again. The pet store is willing to take the babies back if i cant find homes for them but not untill 6 weeks but im scared of more pregnancies before then! I would much rather find homes myself then send them to that incompetent pet store but i dont want any more accidents!

HollyHamster · 09-20-2012, 01:26 AM

Okay. First of all, calm down. I know its hard to do right now, but taking a deep breath or two, and relaxing a bit is always a good idea when you seem overwhelmed by something.

Now that your feeling a bit more calm, I can help you out a little. You are doing a great job so far. Make sure to only go near the cage, if possible, to give food or to fill the water bottle. Other than that, you shouldn't really do anything else. Make sure that you give your ham a lot of extra food. She is nursing and that takes a lot out of a ham. Plus, the babies will be staring on solid foods eventually, so you'll want a lot of it in the cage for them to eat.

Ham moms do best in a dark and quiet place. If their is too much commotion around the cage, and its too bright, or if the babies are sick, deformed or otherwise not viable, the mom will consume them. Believe it or not, this is a natural defense mechanism of rodents. It helps to eliminate any sounds and smells that might make a predator less attracted to the spot. So, if the hamster doesn't feel threatened, and is relaxed and comfortable, she'll feel no need to dispose of what she sees as attractant to predators.

Basically, you should leave it all up to your mommy hamster to take care of the babies. She knows what she is doing, more so than you, and if all goes well, you should have 6 healthy young hamster to find homes for in a little more than a month away.

Oh, I almost forgot, there is a Wiki on this site that has a lot of helpful info on hamster pregnancy and motherhood. You should definitely give it a look. The link is up there in the left hand corner of the top of the page, at the bottom of that short list.

Anyways, there should be other members coming along soon to give you further advice.

**Pompompoms** · 09-21-2012, 04:03 AM

Well that must have been a shock for you! It's great you are on here asking for help, and reading up as much as you can, you're doing a great job already so don't worry

Keep doing everything you're doing now, just quietly change water once a day, and add food at the other end of the cage from the nest. Does mum seem relaxed? I've had totally relaxed mums who have given birth in the open and wanted a bit of fuss still from me every day, and mums that have been tucked away in a dark room as they've very unsettled by the babies initially so need total peace and quiet.
Give mum some extra protein as she'll be busy feeding the babies which will use a huge amount of energy. A little cooked chicken, some tofu, egg, meal worms will all help.

The babies will start to wander out from the nest at 12 days, sometimes earlier, sometimes later. To start with, mum will busily gather them back in, then she'll realise it's a battle she'll never win, and let them roam about. Hopefully mum won't feel the need to cull the babies, but if this happens, it is not your fault. From what you have said you are doing everything right so perceived danger won't be the reason should the worst happen.

If mum is out when you are in your room, there is nothing wrong with a very soft hello from the other end of the cage, if you feel more comfortable wait till the babies are out, especially if mum is nervous, but you will be able to start interacting with them soon so don't worry.

Keep us updated as to how things are going, ask anything you can think of, and someone here will always be ready to help

Lori · 09-21-2012, 10:12 PM

Mom seems to be doing well. Yesterday and today it has also seemed like she wanted my attention stwhen i go near that end of the room she scurries out and starts sniffing around and comming up to the opening to see me i just tell her shes being a good mommy and then leave her be i dont want to press my luck there but before she would just sit in the nest. So far she really does seem to be doing great so fingers crossed. I did the egg thing because i had read about that on alot of sites she seems to really enjoy it. Im nervous because the cage is so small for all of them because i obviously was not planning on this big of a hammy family. Im going to get another cage next week so i can separate them when it becomes time from what i have read i think around oct 12 is when i should do this.

HorseyMandz · 09-22-2012, 12:34 AM

In case you can't rehome before the babies start to fight (well after Oct 12th), it may be worth buying lots of cheap(er) cages or making some bin cages. Oh, and I'd rehome them yourself instead of giving them to a pet store- or your babies could end up in the hands of just about anybody!

souffle · 09-22-2012, 12:54 AM

Good to hear all seems well Lori. Don't worry about the cage size for now as they spend most of their time asleep and mum is tending them for now so it won't be a problem. They will manage until time to separate. You will need to clean them out frequently particularly the potty corner as when they all start using it it soon becomes a pee paddling pool! We use a takeaway dish with chinchilla sand in it and they like to pee there and it is easy to empty wash and clean a few times a day without causing and messing with anything else.
Start with some teeny bits of cucumber now and maybe some chicken and porridge

Won't be long till they are out!

shiny · 09-24-2012, 06:30 AM

Well done Lori for all your hard work & research into hamster babies - sounds like you are a great hamster mum

There is so much great advice on this site I'm sure you will find all the info you need.

Hoping all is well with your hamster & the babies. Will look forward to seeing photos when they are big enough & out and about

Lori · 09-25-2012, 07:22 AM

Thanks everyone! i got two little ones out of the 6 seem to like to drive blue crazy and shes given up trying to keep them with the others now! Gosh they are so darn cute wondering around on their own! Cage has gotten a little stinky! and its the type where i have to take the whole cage part off to clean so im trying to put up with it until their eyes open and i can transfer everyone to a clean cage so i give this one a good bath!

**Pompompoms** · 09-25-2012, 03:46 PM

Things do tend to get a little smelly toward the end of the nest time, if you're lucky you get to clean everything just before they give birth, but it's not always the way, and regardless they are still well in need of a clean by the time it's right to do so.
Won't be long till all are out running about with eyes fully open, looking forward to seeing them when the time is right

Lori · 09-29-2012, 02:11 PM

So they are running around now Blue seems to be on the verge of giving up on keep them wrangled haha she is very resourceful building the nest higher and higher to keep them contained haha. I bought a new cage today for when i have to separate them so im patiently waiting for their eyes to open so i can move everyone to the new cage and i can clean the old one.