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Old 12-09-2015, 10:21 AM   #1
Jenibelle
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Default Breeding in the USA - ethics?

Hia all.

Please note that although I am very, very lightly considering this right now, I wouldn't be breeding for MANY more years (if ever). I don't even have my first hamster, yet! lol

It is this search for a hamster that has got me thinking, though. I have looked for breeders high and low near me, but I can not seem to find one. I really dislike purchasing animals from pet shops, but it seems to be the only readily available option. There are a few here and there sprinkled throughout shelters (as expected - where there are pet stores, there will be people who impulse buy to then rehome), but the only place to actually purchase a hamster is through the shops. From what I've seen, the local pet shop hamsters are not very tame. This is also to be expected, when they are merely considered "product". I've seen videos of the suppliers for our pet shops, and they are heart breaking </3 If I were brought up in that environment, I wouldn't be very friendly at all either.

To be very clear: I am horrid with genetics. I would learn the basics to ensure that I didn't accidentally breed two hamsters that could result in eyeless whites, for example. But other than for health reasons, I honestly wouldn't care about colors and what not. If I were to breed, my only goal would to get happy, healthy pet quality hamsters who are hand tamed. I would be very picky with their new homes, and I would make sure they would get the best possible care. I would not be like a pet-store where anyone with money could simply pick one up.

I know in other countries where hamster breeders are established this would sound like a horrible game plan. But in America, there just doesn't seem like there are /any/ options other than pet-stores, and I know there are many people who dislike supporting shops.

Would the goal of providing happy, healthy, tamed pet hamsters (without supporting pet shops) be "enough" in this sort of situation to justify breeding? Or would this sort of plan still be considered irresponsible?

I do want honest opinions ^.^
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Old 12-09-2015, 10:45 AM   #2
Nancy's Hamsters
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

Where in the USA are you located state wise? There is an online group called IHANA(Internet Hamster Association of North America) which may be able to help guide you to a breeder near enough to you to be able to obtain quality breeding stock. You can also look on Craigslist for home raised Hamsters though most have no pedigrees and are from store bought hamsters, but at least you would be avoiding support of a commercial Rodentry and their greed for profits, and most home raised pups are tame before you get them.
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Old 12-09-2015, 10:49 AM   #3
mylittlefluffyhamster
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

it sounds as though you have it all planned out but please be aware I have heard the most a hamster can have is 25 pups (I don't know if that is true) but would before you bred them make sure you know that you have good homes that are secure and you are confident go for it but I'm NOT an expert I would talk to someone who knows what they are dealing with xx
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:16 AM   #4
Jenibelle
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

I'm in CT
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:23 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

Nancy's idea sounds good. And if you met a breeder you could discuss it with them. I know what you mean - it's a nice idea to want to be a breeder, but maybe best to have a pet first and learn a bit about hamsters that way.
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:26 AM   #6
mylittlefluffyhamster
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

I agree with Serendipty7000! xx
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:29 AM   #7
Jenibelle
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

The thread isn't so much about me personally, if I were to breed (which I probably won't), it wouldn't be for years down the road.

I'm more interested in having a discussion on ethics in the scenario that was described. Is breeding with those ideas reasonable? Or is it always irresponsible if the breeder doesn't care about things such as colors, head shape, etc.
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Old 12-09-2015, 11:32 AM   #8
mylittlefluffyhamster
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

think it is reasonable but I do think that healthcare should be taken into account as well as long as they are all healthy then that s fine. but I don't know squat about hamster breeding xx
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Old 12-09-2015, 04:39 PM   #9
Nancy's Hamsters
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

My wise and very professional Mentor told this to anyone thinking about breeding hamsters in the USA.
" It cost just as much to breed cute hamsters with no pedigree and no known background who could possibly end up with major health issues and very short lived lives as it does to raise pedigreed hamsters who are just as cute but have a known history and sound health record and live far longer lives."

Though it isn't always a bad event when starting from Unknown history stock you are always risking a hidden health problem which may end your breeding program in one fell swoop. Being a responsible Hobby breeder means your major goal will be to breed quality Hamsters with great temperaments, sound health, and long lived. To meet these major few goals you almost have to breed for a hamster that could be entered in a show and have a good chance of winning.

I've lived through having a Beautiful Male whom was pet store bought and was a Satin Ghost Yellow Black. I made a novice mistake of using only him for breeding to about 10 different females. ALL my breeders with the Yellow gene were his descendants. Until I started breeding his offspring to 1/2 siblings I didn't know the original male had a serious and genetic inherited Heart defect which killed his male pups dead in their sleep when their heart literally burst and the hamster bled out in a matter of seconds at or between 6 weeks to 6 months.

I take my sales seriously and notified every buyer of this males offspring and any hamster with this male in their pedigree of the issue found. I ended up refunding several buyers who had already lost their hamster to this inherited issue, and letting others keep their hamster and notifying me when it passed away and then offering them a replacement hamster, or a refund.

That was easy what was hard is totally removing every yellow gene hamster from my breeding program and waiting and watching to see who was dead in the nest next. Then it was what do I do with the Females who don't seem effected but when bred had all their male pups dead in the nest within 6 weeks to 6 months?

I had a great friend who gave a few of the girls a nice pet home but the pain of all those beautiful pups being born with a genetic defect, which had the male come from a pedigreed breeder would not have had the problem as it would have been found before I got him.

So the moral is it cost the same to raise unknown health and longevity pups as it does Pedigreed with known history of good health and long lives and it is a whole bunch less hassles and heart aches for both buyer and breeder.
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Last edited by Nancy's Hamsters; 12-09-2015 at 04:45 PM.
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Old 12-10-2015, 09:48 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Breeding in the USA - ethics?

It certainly does sound like an uncertain business to some degree. I am guessing you'd need to start with a pedigree hamster and arrange a mating with another pedigree hamster.
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