What age should a baby Syrian be when you buy it?

petal10 · 07-12-2012, 03:36 AM

Hey guys,

As I am hoping to get a new little hammy in a couple of weeks time (yay!!), I was just wondering how old a baby should be as a minimum before you buy it? I have found some close by, the owner has said they will be separated from their mum at 4 weeks, and then I can take one at 5 weeks (or a day under 5 weeks!!). Is this the usual age, or is it a bit young?

Thank you in advance for the help

Ren · 07-12-2012, 03:42 AM

5 weeks is just fine. I picked mine up at 5wks and he adjusted great. He's 6wks now and has grown quite a lot (looking forward to weighing him on Sunday). I wouldn't get him younger though because he needs time to adjust from being separated from his mom. Remember to leave him alone for 3 days minimum (only to change water and food) before you start laying your hand in to give him treats. My breeder said 1 day was fine so I did that and he's become hand shy so we're starting over again and I'm giving him 3 days (which was what was recommended online, silly me for not listening) to himself and then I'm going to gradually keep my hand in longer and longer before he's okay with me being in there.

I think that 8 weeks is best honestly, so they have the time to grow with their siblings (at 8weeks is when they need to be separated into solitary cages many people sell earlier because it can take time and they don't want to have to house each baby individually if they can't find an owner on time. :/ ). But 5 weeks is good too. Syrians like to live alone after all.

Sandti · 07-12-2012, 03:45 AM

This is the age that you can take them from the breeder

petal10 · 07-12-2012, 04:21 AM

Thank you so much for both the replies, that has reassured me

Ren · 07-12-2012, 04:25 AM

The picture I have of him in my avatar is Deckard at 5 weeks. So they're quite capable of taking care of themselves and unbelievably cute.

StarlightSerenity · 07-12-2012, 04:40 AM

Yeah, 5 weeks is the right age

Luna was five weeks when I got her from a breeder

cathface · 07-12-2012, 04:43 AM

I got my breeder ham at 5½ weeks, and although he was a little timid and skittish to begin with (I assume because he hadn't really had much of a chance to play with his brothers before being taken away!), he is happy and tame. he isn't much of a cuddler though, but I think that's more to do with his personality than coming to me young.

Lynternette · 07-12-2012, 04:49 AM

Popcorn was around 5 weeks when I had him. He's grown like wildfire.

petal10 · 07-13-2012, 12:34 AM

Thank you all

Bearing in mind that I do want to get a "baby" hamster, would anyone recommend getting a slightly older one? I have found some available that are a *lot* closer and will be 12 weeks old when I collect, I'm torn!

Thanks in advance!

Ren · 07-13-2012, 12:53 AM

Either way you would be getting a good hamster if they're from a responsible breeder. SO I would suggest that you might go with the hamsters that are closer. But if you want to start from a baby, 12 weeks really isn't much different, they're still babies and small. They won't be considered adults until they're 4-5 months old (which is when they're able to breed).