Our First Litter - Who's the Daddy?

[Louby]

Advice please guys!!!

We are hopefully going to have our first litter at the beginning of July with our lovely little Cupcake. She is perfect in everyway, and we are sure she will make a fantastic mum, as she has perfect temperament, looks to smooch over and is healthy and wonderful (yes...we do love her loads! ).

So...we have a Mummy sorted for our litter, but we are now questioning who the Daddy should be.

The intention was that it was always going to be Alvin, he is wonderful too...very cute (Our little Pet Class Winner! ) and has a lovely temperament. The only thing that we are questioning is his skittishness (is that even a word? ).

He doesn't bite, has a wonderful nature, loves to come out to play, and keeps us totally engrossed with his hillarious cage antics.

But...he is not, in any way, a cuddly hamster. Hand to hand with Alvin leaves you feeling like you have been to the Gym. He is NEVER still, and is rushing about all of the time.

So...the question is...do we choose Alvin to be the Daddy, as he is so perfect in every other respect, or do we choose one of the other, more sedate lads in our brood to do the job?

I know that traits can be carried, and that you should breed for temperament primarily, but we are unsure whether a lively hamster should be penalised, just for being inquisitive and loving life?

We would love to hear your thoughts.....

[Basia]

My first recent litter had a mother with a similar temperment to your Alvin. She had no vices whatsoever, just a very lively hamster. Some of the babies were very laid-back like their dad and some were lively like their mum.
I don't see any reason not to breed from a lively hamster, they all have their own characteristics and I quite like my little livewires.

[Spuds Mum]

If he is friendly and inquisitive, not tetchy and nasty, then his liveliness will just be because he is in good health and condition. I dont think this would put me off to be honest.

The things that would put me off are an uneven temerament, the type that would make me think 'oh I better make sure what mood he is in before I approach him'.

[Louby]

We love Alvin being such a livewire too!

He is definatley not uneven in temperament. He has never been snappy, and is always in a lovely mood...just VERY lively!

I think i'm answering my own question here too aren't I?

[Spuds Mum]

I think so

[Mollz]

It sounds as if Alvin would make a fine daddy, and I think you already have that worked out anyway but (like I always do) wanted reassurance from us - and now you have it!

I'm sure the babies will be adorable and very pretty with lovely temperaments.

[sarahh]

Hi I would go for Alvin too. Tazzie our male who does not keep still for even a second and is on the go all the time. He is lovely and has a wonderful temperament we used to breed with Christie and the babies were lovely and friendly. I would definatly use Alvin.

[Matty Day]

temperament isn’t the only factor I would remember genetics to as you probably don’t want golden’s carrying incompatible colours unless your making a colour i.e. ivory cream and dark grey

However if all genes a re compatible and your after that colour then why not Alvin just sound like a live wire

[Spuds Mum]

No you are right to a point Matty, however Alvin is Louby's sable roan boy from Bourne Valley and Louby has, since getting him (lucky Louby) been looking for a nice cream girl to mate him to, taking Bourne Valleys advice etc.
So she has considered the genetics side of things carefully too haven't you Loubs?

PS - I forgot Alvin was the roan (got him mixed up with Heebiejeebie I think) - both of my roans (they are girls though) are livewires, and I think Holly will confirm that hers Malteser is too. We've always blamed it on Princess being a bit obsessive so thought it was a family thing - but maybe it is a colour thing - like the yellow perils!

[Matty Day]

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

No you are right to a point Matty, however Alvin is Louby's sable roan boy from Bourne Valley and Louby has, since getting him (lucky Louby) been looking for a nice cream girl to mate him to, taking Bourne Valleys advice etc.
So she has considered the genetics side of things carefully too haven't you Loubs?

PS - I forgot Alvin was the roan (got him mixed up with Heebiejeebie I think) - both of my roans (they are girls though) are livewires, and I think Holly will confirm that hers Malteser is too. We've always blamed it on Princess being a bit obsessive so thought it was a family thing - but maybe it is a colour thing - like the yellow perils!

sorry theres so many people/ hamsters/ and litters i get confused whos who