winter white/campbells

[Dichroic]

I went looking for the video you mentioned above, Pippy's video...I found an account on youtube called ErinsHamsters, it has "Pippy the Crossbred Dwarf" in several videos, but I think I must not be finding the right ones. The hamster I see doesn't seem to have any problems, or maybe I'm missing them? Which is the video you're talking about? I want to be as prepared as possible if these little ones come out unhealthy.

[Dichroic]

I did find the right videos, I'm so sad to hear that crossbreeds sometimes come out so unhealthy. I am really starting to think hamster breeding isn't the best idea, since I haven't been able to find any hamster breeders nearby...honestly I was looking for something less complicated than gliders but after reading through some of the posts in the breeding forum I realize that there really are quite a few problems that can pop up genetically. I am grateful I found this forum so I could learn from my mistake and not repeat it.

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Yeah that's my Youtube channel Dichroic, apart from the video explaining what she goes through I have never videoed her in one of her fits (not full on at least) because I think its wrong to do so and then post it on a website made for entertainment as I know that some people would say horrible things about her (I get really nasty comments saying I should feed her to snakes, thank god for the delete/report button) plus I like keeping my channel light hearted so I film her while she is being a normal and happy hamster to show that just because they may have problems that doesn't mean they can't live a happy enough life. The chances of your hams ending up with severe problems is fairly slim (diabetes is the most likely risk) but that risk is still there and does still effect a lot of hams, Ive actually been in contact with quite a few people whos hybrids are exactly like Pippy and they are wonderfully supportive of giving even these hybrids a chance in life.

Anyway I'm glad you are rethinking breeding again, hopefully these babies should be alright just make sure they get fed low sugar diets and remove anything yellow and a lot of the seeds from their hamster mix, replace it with cooked or dried pasta, lentils and other suggestions you will find in the feeding forum just to help them avoid developing diabetes. Watch out for any repetitive behaviour and do be aware that as the male did get back in with the female and he was there after the babies were born she could easily have another litter on its way in the next couple of weeks so just keep an eye on her.

Welcome to the forum btw, you should learn a ton here

[Kissa]

You've had a lot of good advise, but I just wanted to say, if you do decide to breed hamsters in the future, pet shops are not the place to get stock. Dwarf hamsters in pet shops are rarely pure-bred, so it's likely that the parents are hybrids as well as the pups. The only way to get pure stock is from a reputable breeder Plus the lack of history with pet shop stock doesn't make them ideal breeding candidates either.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Welcome to the forum anyway, and I'm glad you're learning here

Pippy is usually seen as perfectly normal though, she's a brilliant little ham We've got four hybrids and they're happy and fairly healthy. The only issue so far is a near-definetly not genetic problem but thats just more proof of how its all down to the luck of the individual hamsters really.

[Dichroic]

Sorry I didn't get back to post yesterday, I was getting my computer fixed

Erin, I know how hard it can be to watch a little life like that suffer because of needlessly bad breeding. I had three gliders that had a terrible genetic problem, caused by completely pointless inbreeding on another breeder's part. They had obvious neurological issues, they would run in circles, bob their heads, and were only able to be still when they were asleep. They couldn't jump or glide because their equilibrium was oriented upside down, they felt like they were right side up when they were on their backs. My poor little ones only barely made it to 1/3 of their life expectancy. They will always have a very special place in my heart. Their condition was never diagnosed, and circumstances have not been right yet to get one of these afflicted gliders in for a necropsy. I have a few videos of them tucked away for educational purposes and help identifying the gene when it does come back to the surface, but I've never been brave enough to post them on YouTube.

Unfortunately, the glider breeding community still has a lot of ethical issues. If a genetic issue is found, it's more likely to be tucked under the rug and the carrying pair to be split and given new mates so the breeder doesn't have to worry about their reputation or losing the value of their expensive breeders. Because of the impatience of some of our founding breeders, our bloodlines have some serious issues that will be very difficult to overcome. The genetic issue my three had has popped up in multiple places further down the same bloodline. Some are taking it seriously and they are very careful when working with those lines. Unfortunately, many disregard the carriers we have identified and continue to breed and spread the gene. I hope that some day we will be able to put our pride aside and breed for the betterment of the animal rather than the price a joey will fetch. I have never been able to charge much for my own joeys, regardless of their market value, I feel it reminds me to think of the life I'm responsible for first and the money second. I think we could do a lot of learning from the hammy community. Kudos to all of you for building such an honest, informative environment for all to learn and collaborate!

[Willow's mummy!]

That's very sad that other breeders behave like that - I'm not talking about accidental mating, but deliberate splitting the pairs to hide poor breeding. Doesn't say much for their love of the animals!

[Lucinda]

Whenever getting a new animal, it's always worth doing all the research first, they can be very surprising even if they look so similar to another species

Good on you for actually coming to find out for the future though. Your hams may well be fine - I have 2 hybrids and fortunately have not had any health issues with them (touch wood!), so they can live perfectly happy lives.
I would just keep an eye out for any potential issues and take proper precautions Also make sure you have a spare cage for each hamster incase of fall-outs (and seperate the mum and dad if you haven't already - they will breed again!)

[Dichroic]

Wanted to give everyone a little update, daddy hammy was separated a week and a half ago to prevent further breeding. I know in gliders they will mate the day the babies come out of pouch, so I didn't want that to happen. The two little ones are doing very well as far as I can tell from a distance, beautiful little white things with a light silver stripe from the shoulders back. I can't wait to hold them when they are old enough, I think I will definitely be keeping these little ones. I'll get some pics posted as soon as their eyes open!

[GemmasMom]

Can't wait to meet the little furbabies!!!!!!!