ST's A-16 Litter has arrived

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Well the best made plans of Mice and men. I had started a thread last month thinking my first litter would be at eyes open age by now, But as things often happen with breeding Hamsters Chaviva didn't conceive. I tried her again with Hadar and it began looking good but when she was about 12 days into what should have been her pregnancy and usually (unless a big litter) would begin to look obviously pregnant she remained unchanged in figure. at 14 days she was in heat so a bit of a disappointment.

However I had bred six females in February so I had faith at least one would take. It is not breeding season yet in the USA and I don't like to trick the girls into coming in heat or conceiving. Of six bred only two conceived and early this morning some time between 3 AM when I checked and no pups yet and 10AM this morning Chedva gave birth to 3 pups, and upon coming home from Church at 3PM she seems done and has 4 lovely dark eyed pups in her wide open nest.

The Pedigree of Chedva is not as long as it should be. Her Sire was Kiley a BYB LH Melanistic Yellow Band, Her Dam was Lizina a SH carrying LH Chocolate Homo Poly white. Chedva is an EE Black Tort LH that carries for Rust. She is of good size and a much improved head over her Dam, and and outstanding Temperament. This was Chedva's last chance to birth a litter as in just 3 days she will celebrate her 8 month old Birthday, and I won't risk breeding for a first litter after that age as it is just too stressful on the hamster and often causes them to pass away.
Here is Chedva
Chedva 2-22-16-a.JPG

The Sire of this litter was also Bred by myself but he is out of two unknown pedigree hamsters but who had many desired qualities needed in the USA. His name is Dewey II as he is almost a spitting image of his Sire Dewey. Dewey II is a SH Satin Golden Banded Dominant Spot and if his eyes speak the truth he is Heterozygous Polywhite. Dewy II carries for Black via his Black dam Iverem, and possibly Cinnamon since he had a Cinnamon sibling. He is a huge improvement over both parents and is a stunning Big boy. Always first to demand cuddles and loves kids.
Here's Dewey II just the other day playing on my recliner chair
Dewey II 2-22-16-b.JPG

The purpose of this breeding is many. To bring in Satin coats to the Rust lines(as well as the Yellow lines), Bring in both the Banded and Dominant Spot Pattern to the Rust lines(as well as the Yellow lines). Continue on with improving of the Rust and Yellow lines in Longevity and size. The only down side of this mating is each pup has a 50/50 chance to carry or not carry the Rust gene and until further breeding that secret will remain a secret.

The pups are all large for Newborn so the anticipation of bigger then both parents is a very likely happening. First time mom so when eyes open it will depend on how Mom is before Pictures will be taken and shared.

My B-16 litter is due the 10th

[CalebsMom]

Congratulations! The parents are beautiful.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Well we now know Both Chedva and Dewey II carry for Cinnamon as there is one red eyed pup who thinks at just 3 days old it should be able to run about the cage. By it's behavior I would not at all be shocked if it isn't a Tort One of the dark eyed pups is wildly splash banded, while another is a solid. Fourth one is keeping me guessing with obvious Polywhite eyes under the eyelid skin, but no pigment at all other then pink. This last could be what I had set a goal to breed this year but will have to wait and see. Chedva is being a fairly good Mom, but I do so wish she would have selected a better place for the pups and nest then directly under the water bottle

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Well it is with great sadness I must post that early this afternoon when I returned from Choir practice at Church I came in the house to the sound of loud squeaks coming from Chedva's bin. They were so loud I knew it was not a good sound to hear. I found Chedva had culled all but one Black Tort band pup but was getting ready to eliminate that pup also.

I quickly removed the last pup as it had no bites or any parts missing and seemed very healthy. However it had no sign of any milk in it's tummy at all. I found Elisa nursing 3 very big pups so attempted to see if she would foster the remaining pup. I rolled the foster pup in her potty bedding so it would pick up her scent, and said a prayer that the pup would be accepted(Very rare for this with a 5 day gap of age). At first Elisa accepted the wee pup and began licking and cleaning it and I said a quick Thank-you to the Lord.

Had and emergency which required Hubby and my immediate attention so left Elisa alone. We had to go right from my MIL's house trailer to our night time prayer service and when we got home I checked to see how everything was doing with the pup and she was gone

I was going to pet home Chedva because this was her 2nd time with having a litter and the 1st was either absorbed partly or aborted after dying in the womb at 9 to 10 days before due date.

I have a waiting list for her as a pet of three different people as she is super tame and big and cuddly so I have no concerns of her being a great pet. However with the other Mom accepting the last pup and suckling it and carrying it to the nest etc and it still passing it makes me wonder if it was just the time of season and that I should give Chedva one more try later in the year when it is breeding season. What do some of you which are hobby breeders feel is best for her?

Here's some information about her which may help for what is best for her.
The Pros for rebreeding
1) She is of a very good size
2) Has a super temperament.
3) Has good type
4) She is EE(one of few that are from the Chocolate lines).
5) She is a for sure Rust carrier(Mom was a Chocolate)
The Cons for rebreeding her
1) She was 8 months old as of Yesterday
2) I attempted to breed her in January and she absorbed/aborted the litter at day 9 or 10.
3) She seemed to have no milk with this litter and was very restless when the pups tried to nurse getting up and moving positions all the time they attempted to nurse( her nipples right now are not swollen or even red so no Mastitis)
4) The last one which is the most obvious Con, By the time she has had a proper rest period she would be almost 12 months old and would be less desired as a pet due to her age.

My heart says to give her another chance when things of natural nature are more in her favor, but my head says it is probably best to pet her out and concentrate on other rust or rust carrier hamsters that are younger then Chedva. Any and all replies gratefully accepted

[velma]

I'm really sorry to hear about the pups, Nancy

[Erin.R]

So sad! I am so glad I have not had this type of thing happen yet. I personally would be very tempted to retire her. But wasn't both these litters also during the "off" season. I don't see much of a difference in her being 8 or 12 months when you pet her out, she is a pretty girl with a great temperament, i would think people would still want her. i don't know how much helpI am as I am going back and forth on what I think lol. You know her best so I am sure you will make the best decision for her.

[WinnieTheHam]

So sorry this has happened Nancy, it's so sad

I think if she is extremely important to your lines for improvement I'd say try her again after she's rested for a couple months. But I too would be tempted to retire her. The season will be better in a couple months also. I'd keep her in a stress-free environment from now up until the next litter get homes. It sounds like she's not very comfortable with having pups in that situation, and some hamsters become more stressed than others. Only you know what's best for her.

[Cinnamon Bear]

She's a nice looking hamster but doesn't sound like a very good mommy. If breeding her is cause she has good size & good temperment maybe it's just better for her to be somebody else's pet & take the loss on what her genetics are? Hope you can come to the best decision for Chedva.

[Jenibelle]

I'm very sorry for your losses

[flowerfairy]

Oh how heart breaking. I would be tempted to retire her but I know nothing about breeding and what she could bring genes wise.