trying to pair my campbells up.. nothing but trouble.

[Jessie]

Okay so I've always kept my 2 females together. I put the male in for about 2 weeks, take him out and they usually have babies about a week or so later. I wean them at 4 weeks and about 12 weeks after weaning I put the male back in. They are kept in an aquarium with a wire divider and glass at the top so he can't climb it. I've never had an issue with re introducing him but this time I waited about 4 months as they are getting older and this will be their last litters. Now all the sudden they are beating him up. I have a chance to take in a 6 week old male from another breeder. I'm just wondering if they've decided they don't want to breed any more due to age? (they are both 13 months) or if the extended separation has affected it.

[Vectis Hamstery]

Could it be the time of year? I know some people here in the UK are finding their hms have given up having babies already for the winter. I found adding a daylight spectrum bulb on a timer into the room where the hams live helped with winter breeding. You mention age - how old are your girls now?

[Jessie]

They are both about 13 months old. and everyone else is breeding, just having an issue with these girls. They are in a room with my reptiles so it's warm and they have 12 hour days and 12 hour nights by lights on timers.

[Kirsty1987]

I don't breed hamster so am not a 100% sure but i think 13 months is to old to be breeding them i think females become sterile between 12 - 14 months so that may be why?

[Jessie]

I wanted to get one last litter out of each to keep a couple more girls. I'm buying some new boys lol, just double checked. they are only 11 months old. not 13. my males are 13. but either way everything I've read says they can breed up to 18 months. I know every hamster is different but still confused.

[Kirsty1987]

Everything i have read says about 14 months? lol it could be because its winter how many litters has she had?

[Jessie]

they've each had 2 litters.

[lisab]

I would just keep trying to introduce them, as long as he isnt getting to beat up, Keep an eye on them.
I have had pairs who have taken weeks to have a litter, and some mate with in the first few days.
I had a problem with a trio where I put a male in like you did, unfortunatly my male got killed over night but they were both pregnant.
I dont think it is too late to have babys, living in houses is different to being in the wild having heating aand light will affect them
I dont use a daylight bulb and I have still had matings and litters for both syrian and campbells.

[Jessie]

they aren't beating him up, just boxing with him.. I had a really bad experience today though. I went to pick up a 6 month old male who has been in with his litter since they were born. the babies are 4 weeks old. I ended up taking 2 other boys from the litter and a female. I left them in their carrier in the car for about 5 mins, when I cam out he had killed the 2 boys. I'm guessing since the mature female wasn't with them anymore he decided he wanted to breed with his daughter and saw the 2 boys as a threat? they are now seperated, would have been as soon as I got home but it confuses me.. poor babies.

[The Hamster's family]

Originally Posted by Jessie

they aren't beating him up, just boxing with him.. I had a really bad experience today though. I went to pick up a 6 month old male who has been in with his litter since they were born. the babies are 4 weeks old. I ended up taking 2 other boys from the litter and a female. I left them in their carrier in the car for about 5 mins, when I cam out he had killed the 2 boys. I'm guessing since the mature female wasn't with them anymore he decided he wanted to breed with his daughter and saw the 2 boys as a threat? they are now seperated, would have been as soon as I got home but it confuses me.. poor babies.

How come they were left togeter alone ? Were they in the same tank/cage when you picked them up ??