French Hamsters in Paris!

souffle · 04-02-2008, 08:32 AM

Well Pophammy and I have just be on a trip to some French pet shops and well....we are amazed

First shop had loads of hamsters mainly syrians. Syrians were large but still appeared peaceful and in males and female tanks. One dom spot female in with two whites got up to reveal a clinging mass of the most lovely pups probably about 10 days old. Another female tucked them in while mum went for a drink. One was the most perfect black band I have ever seen and another was a gorgeous evenly marked back domi spot with a symmetrical white blaze. One was pure black. Hammies were priced at around £7 golden and up to £15 for a LH coloured hammie.
Dragged PH out while plotting how to take mum and babies home in suitcase....
Second shop was shall we say a shock!
One large cage contained all types of hamsters, syrians, WW and I think campbells though likely hybrids. Looked healthy enough and could not believe they were happy as larry all cuddled together. Saw no fighting. Pet shop lady come along with large box of live mealworms and tips scoop of them on to hammies. Hammies of all types run out and grab mealworms and munch them cheerfully. Hammies then snuggle down together again and go to sleep looking somewhat smeared in mealworm juice.
Dragged BigD out muttering about what is all the fuss and why dont we just shove them all together and let them sort it out

So there you are. It must be possible to integrate them young but I am not sure how long this would last. Mums can raise pups under what we would consider stressful conditions and the continent are much more laxed about animal care and pet shops than the british for sure. All the cages we saw were very small, the largest being about a FOP 2 level size. All were barred.The hams were on hay and sawdust.
Some had quite nice type and I would have loved to have brought mum and pups home but well...what can you do

Mollz · 04-02-2008, 08:40 AM

How strange that all were living peacefully together - especially the mixed breeds. I just hope they don't let people buy different breeds (or 2 syrians) and tell them they can live together

It must have been so hard for you to leave them behind, it sounds as if pet shops in France may not have the same regulations/standards as in England then (although I do know that there are some bad ones)? Shame they only sell very small cages too...

souffle · 04-02-2008, 08:46 AM

Pophammy did say that too Mollz but to be honest I think they would sell you anything if you gave them the cash! Can't be sure though. I asked Big D if we could buy the mum and pups but he said no. Meany

Mollz · 04-02-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

I asked Big D if we could buy the mum and pups but he said no. Meany

What a grump!

Tell him from me that he should have let you have them - and some others as well

sammys/mum · 04-02-2008, 09:12 AM

Wow! Is it common practice in France to keep Hammies like that? Or is it just that shop?

**Tammy22** · 04-02-2008, 09:30 AM

I have heard that some breeders place baby hamsters with other species of baby hamsters to make them easier to tame.

One breeder i read about puts baby Roborovskis in with baby Syrians - only for about a week, just after they are removed from the mother at around three weeks old (Roborovskis) and it makes the Roborovskis much easy to tame - seems to calm them down, must rub off from the Syrians, lol!

Of course they keep a very close eye on them and it doesnt last for much more than a week - i dont think i would try it, and i definately wouldnt recommend it! One bad tempered Syrian could easily kill the tiny Roborovski babies i a second

!!

but i have also heard of people using baby campbells to calm down baby Roborovskis too - i even mentioned it to Andrew at the last show, and he said it is an interesting idea!

Tammy x

Holly · 04-02-2008, 09:30 AM

That's interesting about them all being in together and seeming ok about. And them selling small cages is in direct contrast to Germany, where HUGE wooden cages are the norm (like that 80cm by 60cm one that someone here recently bought off German ebay).

How hard is it to actually bring one back do you think? Just out of interest, you understand (I'm going to France in June).

Moosley · 04-02-2008, 10:42 AM

Im *pretty* sure you wouldnt have any problem bringing hamsters over from France. The only thing within reason you couldnt bring back without quarantine is a marsupial like an opossum.

I know that Kat and I were going to be collecting all kinds of snakes and rodents in Holland and driving to France and getting a ferry back. You will need to keep a receipt and not hide the hamster etc but there arent any laws about hamsters.

Basia · 04-02-2008, 10:45 AM

Hope you all had a lovely time Souffle!
Its amazing that a female is raising pups when she is in with other females.

**Spuds Mum** · 04-02-2008, 01:48 PM

I've been in French pet shops too Souffle, and though I haven't seen things as you describe, they certainly have a different view and different legislation regarding animal sales etc.