*Help* could my hamster be pregnant?

[kyrilliondaemon]

The fact that you haven't heard sounds doesn't mean there aren't pups. I really would wait a few days and then have a very, very cautious look. From everything in this thread I honestly think she'll have had pups and there's no reason yet to think she's culled any she did have. Looking is taking a huge risk and its really safest to give the pup(s) a few more days to start wandering before you risk upsetting Mum.

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Ok, I'll leave it for a few more days then. When exactly should any pups start wandering out, and what if is till don't see any in the next days?

[kyrilliondaemon]

There is no exact age pups could wander - and as Vectis' example showed, sometimes they are really late. At first I said wait an extra week and I stand by it if you're really not sure - at least then there's a bit of a lower risk of Mum culling any pups if she notices the disturbance. Its better to wait too long than to look too soon.
Realistically all animals get up at different times, there's no guarantee pups aren't already wandering and its just not when you're in the shed. If the time comes to check then do what everyone has said - get Mum out of the cage and be as careful as physically possible, do NOT touch the nest itself and take all precautions you can to reduce the risk of upsetting Mum.

[Queen Of The High Teas]

I will leave it for now then. I got Summer out for a couple of minutes as she's looking rather untidy, sort of dishevelled,and weighed her. She's gone back to the weight she was about three weeks ago, definitely lost the weight and shape she'd gained. I tried listening again and I'm sure I heard movement noises again, though they were quite muffled, and Summer is still pretty much staying in her nest. Is it likely that there's only a few pups there, which is why I haven't heard or caught sight of them?

[kyrilliondaemon]

*shrugs*
Its likely that there are pups there. You won't have heard them because they live in a sound trap, and you've probably just been unlucky to have not seen them. Or they're leaving the nest a bit late.

[souffle]

Did you check underneath her wobbles? Nursing mums usually have quite prominent nipples and can look quite dry skinned under there.
I'd start giving her cubes of cucumber and stuff to take in as these babies will be needing fluid if they are not coming out the nest.
Did she seem OK? Not ill in any way? Could you put in a dish of babyfood sort or near the nest and see if anyone pops out to lap it?

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Sorry for not replying on here, I've been rather busy. I finally very carefully lifted the knuff tonight, having grown rather worried about the lack of any noise, movement or anything else. Sadly I have found the nest completely empty. I'm not sure what happened, whether there were pups but for some reason they didn't make it, or if there was anything there at all..I'm not sure. I know its probably for the best, as I knew I would have wanted to keep one, which I didn't really have space for, but I wouldn't have been able to just let them all go like that. But in all honesty I'm quite upset and very disappointed.... I had grown used to the thought.... I've done everything I could for Summer, even staying away from all the others mostly to not disturb her. I feel bad that she's been in the tank longer than she needed to as well, and it was all for nothing. I had really become attached to the idea, even decided I would like to get into breeding in the future (despite what some numb-nut told me (not here) about needing acres of space), so I feel quite deflated... would have much rather have known straight away... as it is, the longer it's gone on for the more into it I was getting, I was looking forward to seeing the babies develop. Que sera sera I suppose, but its still disappointing.

[souffle]

Never mind wobbles. It wasn't for nothing though because you gave her every chance if there had been pups and that was absolutely the right thing to do. When the time is right for all you will have your litter I'm sure

[Gazmo]

don't feel sad, if there was pups she would of done what she thought was right.. the good thing is you still have your little one

[Silver]

Sorry there was no pups Wobbles,

xxx