Finding Lola a friend?

Emma · 04-22-2005, 03:39 AM

Hey guys

Now I'm going to be adopting a little girl Robo from Lou (see the classifieds boards) - do you think getting her a friend is a good idea?

Lola is only 3-4 months old, and was with her sister for a while, although they have been separated (not sure how long).

I am planning on trying to find as young a pup as possible to introduce to her.

If anyone, especially the experienced owners on here, has any thoughts/ideas on this please let me know

**babyboos** · 04-25-2005, 04:22 AM

Be prepared to get another enclosure and I would get two girls to be honest, three are as happy as two, and just incase the introduction doesn't work it it would be a shame to have two solo hamsters. Have you considered trying her with Merry and Pippin? IF they did breed you could keep her with a daughter, although you may find you get no babies for nearly a year. These guys realy are not prolific like some other rodent species.

Emma · 04-25-2005, 05:58 AM

Hi babyboos

Yes I've thought about getting 2 young female pups to try with her, in case they didn't get on to avoid 2 solo hams, but I didn't know if that would be a more difficult introduction - do you think it would be just as likely to succeed as introducing a singleton?

My boyfriend asked if we could put her in with Merry & Pip (shock!), I'm not too worried about breeding like you say they're not exactly prolific (and it would be fun) but slightly concerned that the presence of a girl might cause Merry & Pippin to start fighting amongst themselves, I didn't know if more than one male would work in a group situation - have you tried that with success?

I'm picking her up on Sunday, and on Monday I'm going to an SHC show so hopefully if anyone has any pups available I could pick some up then - I'm going to start trying to ring some people tonight to see if anyone has any pups.

**babyboos** · 04-25-2005, 10:44 AM

Two males and one female actually work more successfully than two females and one male. With two females and a male you seem to end up with the females fighting most of the time - and quite nasty bottom injuries can be inflicted. I have tried all sorts of groups and colony situations over the years and would always steer clear of more females than males in the ratio of the enclosure..

Emma · 04-25-2005, 11:04 AM

Hmm interesting....putting them all together certainly seems to be the easiest way to solve the problem. I'd have to discuss with Lou (Lola's current owner) how she feels about the possibility of Lola having babies - in all likelihood that wouldn't be for a year though, they tend to breed in the spring following their birth don't they? If that did happen, as you say Lola could live with any daughters. Hmm.

I would be nervous about causing any ructions between M & P. They're also quite big boys now - they're not skinny - and Lola is only young! I'd also probably want a slightly bigger tank long term, not a huge problem. Hmm indeed.

Do you really think the three of them would be ok? M & P are roughly 5 months old (seems like longer than that they've been here!) and Lola is 11 weeks.

**babyboos** · 04-25-2005, 11:25 AM

Well noone can say for definite as you know but it is certainly worth trying, and if it doesn't work out then try her with two new little ladies

and if that doesn't work out then... Hamster collecters anonymous

Emma · 04-26-2005, 01:31 AM

Well I made a few phone calls last night - it's amazing the differences in opinion between different hamster keepers!

I've decided to leave M&P alone, I'd hate for any ructions to be caused between them, and I guess it would be a little irresponsible of me to be breeding "just because". There is a lady coming to the show next Monday who has some pups that should be ready. I'm not certain yet whether to try 1 or 2 pups with Lola. Some people think like you & me babyboos two is a good idea if it doesn't work out, but some think 3 is less likely to be successful than 2. Others seem to think you could throw females together no problem - I was told of 4 single females, with a difference in age of up to 4 months, that were put together with no fuss.

The 1 or 2 question might be answered by how many girls are in the litter, as they haven't been sexed yet.

Anyway - I'm getting excited about the new arrivals now

Emma · 04-27-2005, 02:59 PM

1 or 2......1 or 2......I can't decide!

1....if it goes wrong, they'll both be on their own

but some people I spoke to think it would be a more successful introduction......I'm inclined to try 2 but just not 100% sure.

**babyboos** · 04-27-2005, 04:02 PM

From my own personal experience Emma I would say two but you must do what you feel is best

and be prepared for all eventualities. I wish I was able to send you some Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters down to try

but the furthest I could get them any time soon is Sheffield

Emma · 04-28-2005, 06:01 AM

Well - I certainly have room for 3 now - I picked up a 30 inch tank today, already converted, for just a £15 donation to my local rescue! It's obviously been someone's beloved pet's home, it has glow in the dark stickers over one side! It'll scrub up nicely.

So I'll have that, and the cage Lola is coming in, and M&P's old mouse-barred cage too, so plenty of houses around if the hams don't get on. There's more tanks in my parents loft I think too!

I think I'm going to try to go for two, babyboos I think you're right, it just depends on how many girls in the litter, and if the lady I'm getting them from agrees too, she was on the more negative side of introducing them but seemed happier after chatting to me about how I plan to go about it, my experience with hams etc.

We'll have to wait and see