10 take a toll on me....

mrnibblesmommy · 12-19-2010, 12:19 PM

I don't know how you breeders do it. I'm finding 10 hamsters a very very hard lot to manage. I've just gotten 3 new wheels, and now I've got 3 more hamsters in need of new wheels. I have at least one who is in somewhat urgent need of a cage expansion. the 3 boys in wire cages constantly chew and want out. I let them out for floor time, table time, racecar time..and they still think they should live OUT of their cages. i try so hard...but it's really taking a toll on me. i feel like i don't get an hour to myself anymore - hamster free. and i know it's ALL my fault. i was the breeder, and the fool who kept the whole lot

and i love them with all my heart, and it breaks my heart that i feel like im not doing a good enough job. like they somehow lost out because there's sooo many of them.

mrnibblesmommy · 12-19-2010, 12:24 PM

i woke up at five am. niblet was chewing on his bars, so i got him out...i put him in the spare critter trail..and he was having fun and i was relaxing, he was the only one awake - and occupying his own time for a change. and i was sitting here playing on the laptop, looked donw like an hour later when i realized it was AWFULLY silent in here...and he was walking past my slippers! it took a few seconds to register, and i nabbed him...he looked dazed

i don't think he had a clue...poor fella. then i put him on my moms computer desk where they all play next to her, and he got away from us and when behind the monitor. he finally came out and i put him back home and not 20 mins later he was chewing to comeo ut again, i put him in the racecar for a half hour and then put him home...an hour later he began chewing to come back out...he's now back in the racecar doing laps on the hamtrac. ii'm exhausted. and i know once2 he's tired, higley will wake up and take over where he left off.

mrnibblesmommy · 12-19-2010, 12:25 PM

1 word - BREAKDOWN

racinghamster · 12-19-2010, 12:34 PM

You poor thing. It can sometimes be overload when you have so many. At one time, I had two degus, four gerbils, two Roborovski hamsters and mice! Many who needed individual attention as they were kept on their own. So I can sympathise.

When you consider the mileage a hamster does in the night, it`s not surprising they feel rather confined to a small cage where they might feel like a `hamster in a wheel`! Once they taste freedom, they want more! I always advocate a larger cage for hamsters because it allows for more floor space/running space, aswell as having a good wheel like a Silent Spinner, which whizzes round fast which they love!

I can only suggest not taking on anymore at this moment and reduce your numbers naturally as they reach their natural deaths. If you bred them, then that comes with the responsibility aswell and the irritability that can cause if you have too many at one time. As your finding out!

You have ten hamsters so that`s a lot to manage when they all come alive at the same time each day all pandering for your individual attention! I only have two mice at he moment and I`ve learned from past mistakes not to keep too many just for this reason.

You need to have a lie down in a dark room!

Dora · 12-19-2010, 12:52 PM

10 hamsters IS alot and very time consuming.. maybe you could see if people you trust would like one of your babies? that way they get the attention..you can give attention others deserve and you still get to see the babies grow. would be hard but thinking logical sorry.

mrnibblesmommy · 12-19-2010, 01:46 PM

i dont know anybody who's take even one. honestly, the people who know me think im nuts

and the ones who don't dont live near here

i think the sleep in a dark quiet room idea has definite possibilities!!! ....nessie is awake but being a good girl. niblet is STILL running laps on the hamtrac and im hoping he exhausts himself soon. so i can get a break and take some headache medicine and take a long winters nap hehe

before i burst into tears and take back all their x-mas presents! and ship them off to the pound :P just kidding.

Fidgetthefirst · 12-19-2010, 04:24 PM

I have one hamster, and find it hard to get him out all the while! You do amazingly!

**Pompompoms** · 12-19-2010, 05:01 PM

Ahhhhhh I know how you feel, I have nine at the moment, six of which are babies, and I think a pregnant again female. So another littler the same, and in a couple of weeks it'll be 15!
They're keeping me so busy that I haven't had time to put any updated pics up yet!

Womblehands · 12-19-2010, 05:17 PM

maybe you should make a schedule so each hammie has a day. 2 hammies per day for attention and play time so you don't feel guilty and they all have their fair share..1 hammies in the ball 1 having floor, cuddle time and swop over... you won't feel over whelmed...

Tish36 · 12-19-2010, 05:44 PM

Oh my word, 10!!!!!

I struggle with my five

I salute you!