Do you want to add hamsters to your family?It's a good idea to plan ahead and educate yourself before adding more friends.It's not something to take lightly.Before you go through with your plan, make a firm commitment.
Step 1: There is a valid reason for breeding Syrian hamsters.
There should be a plan in place for what you are going to do with these babies.In case your breeding plans don't go as planned, make sure you have enough space, money, and resources to house them all yourself.They can be kept as pets.It is not likely to provide you with much income.They were given away to good homes.
Step 2: You should consider how you will execute your plan.
I'll just give them away to good homes, but that's likely going to be harder than it sounds.If you don't research the market before you start breeding, you may end up with more hamsters than you have customers.How will you market your hamsters?In the newspaper classified ads and at the pet store are good places to start.
Step 3: Do not breed closely related hamsters.
If you own hamsters from the same family, you don't want to breed them with each other.If you allow brothers to mate with sisters, you create an inbred line of hamsters.Genetics can cause inbred lines to fail.Avoid inbreeding for healthy hamsters.
Step 4: Purchase a female and male hamster.
If the hamsters you have are related, or if you do not yet have any, you should talk to several hamster breeders about where they get their stock.You only have to start with one male and one female.To make sure the two breeding animals are not related, it is best to purchase them from different suppliers.Buying breeding hamsters from chain pet stores is not a good idea.Pets can be treated poorly at some pet stores.Many hamsters are bred in dirty and cramped locations.Baby hamsters are likely to suffer from mental, physical and even fatal deformities if they are chosen from a commercial pet store.The hamster has a poor temperament and poor coloring.You could also reach out to a hamster breeder.
Step 5: The hamsters should be the same age.
Two months is when hamsters can start breeding.It is best to let them grow to four to six months of age.The chance of a healthy litter is improved by this.
Step 6: The hamsters should have a comfortable environment.
The cages should be at least 450 sq.Either inches or larger.Many commercial cages are too small for do-it-yourself projects.The hamster should have its own cage if you plan to breed it.If you are trying to breed the hamsters, keep them in separate cages.The cages should be in the same room, but not close together.One of the best hamster foods by far is the Harry/Hazel Hamster mix.Exercise toys, inverted water bottle, and other things will make them feel more at home.
Step 7: The cages should be moved after a week.
It will allow your male and female to smell each other.They should become more social, but not put them together in a cage.They can get to know each other by putting them into separate exercise balls.While you are watching, let them roll around and smell each other.
Step 8: When the hamsters come of age, introduce them.
You can introduce your hamsters to each other in a neutral cage once they are at least four months old.The female is not ready to mate if she attacks the male.To avoid injury, get him out of the cage as quickly as possible.
Step 9: Determine if the female is warm.
If the female is not going to be receptive to the male, you can't mate your hamsters.She could go into heat every few days.The female needs to be stroked on the bottom.She is ready to mate with the male if her tail goes up.
Step 10: When the female is in heat, place the hamsters together.
Hamsters are territorial animals.They will end up fighting if they don't want to mate.Before placing them together the female needs to be checked every day.
Step 11: When the female is in heat, put the hamsters in the same cage.
Either put her in the male's cage or neutral third cage.The female will likely fight the male if he is placed in her cage.
Step 12: The mating process should be supervised.
The male should mount the female more than once if everything goes well.The male will probably clean himself between attempts.Even if the female is receptive, be on the lookout for fights.
Step 13: When they are done, separate them.
You will be able to tell when they are done because they will not be interested in each other.Move the female back into her cage when this happens.
Step 14: You should make a record of the date.
Good records are an important part of breeding hamsters.Either mark the dates on a calendar or write them down in a notebook.When the temperature is below 50F (10C), hamsters are inactive.They will not breed at that temperature.
Step 15: For a week, observe the female.
When a hamster is pregnant, her behavior changes a lot.She is being strangely quiet, cleaning herself more often, and eating and drinking more than usual.An instinct to gather up large nests is a common sign.She is likely pregnant if you see telltale behavior changes.
Step 16: She will give birth.
Syrian hamsters grow and carry their babies for up to 18 days before they give birth.Add 15 days to the date on which you last have sex with your hamsters.That is the most likely due date for your new litter.
Step 17: There are physical changes in the female.
She won't be able to tell you she's pregnant until a few days before she gives birth.You should be able to see the swelling of her belly by ten days after the event.
Step 18: Provide her with bedding.
A pregnant woman will build a big nest.She can shred paper towels and bathroom tissues if she gets extra bedding materials.Pennine "Curl Up" Hamster bedding is a safe, non toxic, ink, not sharp, bedding material.
Step 19: The birth and babies will be in a cage.
There is extra food and bedding in the cage if you clean it five days before the due date.The mother and babies should not be disturbed for the first week after birth.
Step 20: The hamster is close to her due date.
You want to keep her calm.Dim or remove bright lights to keep her environment calm.As she prepares to deliver her babies, keep pets away from her.If you wait until they are old enough to mate, hamsters will give birth without problems.The birth is likely to happen at night.The size of the litter can be as small as 4 or as large as 16 babies.
Step 21: The new mother or her babies should not be disturbed.
If they get stressed out, female hamsters eat their own babies.It's important to keep the environment calm.If you want to play with the babies, give the mother space and peace of mind.The babies will look pink and hairless.Their eyes are closed when they are born.
Step 22: Continue to look after her after the delivery.
You don't want to disturb her, but you have to make sure she has everything she needs in her cage.For the first couple of weeks, discreetly refill the mother's food bowl and water bottle.The babies don't need anything at this point.They'll get everything they need from nursing.
Step 23: The babies need to be fed about a week after birth.
They can eat small portions of broccoli, carrot, wheat germ, or tofu in their nest.The mother will store food in her cheek pouch and bring it back to the nest to feed her babies.
Step 24: The babies should be checked for healthy development.
They will start growing fur a week after birth.You should be able to tell what colors they are.At this age, the "pups" will start making noises.If the mother picks up the babies in her mouth and puts them back in the nest, you don't have to worry.
Step 25: Two weeks is enough to clean the cage.
You can give the cage a needed cleaning now that the mother is settled into her new role.It is your first chance to interact with the babies, which is an important step in socializing them to humans.You can make them more comfortable by handling them for two weeks.Before touching the babies, get your hands dirty with the scent of the litter.The mother can't reject or attack them later.The hamsters should be moved into one cage at a time.Don't destroy the nest when cleaning the cage.Hamsters have a toilet area in their cage.Leave the nest more or less intact by concentrating your cleaning there.If the nest is soaked or filthy, you can replace it with fresh materials.
Step 26: The cage needs to be adjusted for the babies.
Make a few changes while cleaning the cage.There should be a second food bowl in the cage.If the mother's water bottle is too high for the babies, place a second one at a lower position.The babies can reach the mother's bottle if you place a raised platform under it.The mother will not be able to reach the water bottle if it is lowered to the baby's height.
Step 27: The babies have a two-week development.
The babies should have all their fur and be running on their own.They should be opening up now that they were born with closed eyes and ears.
Step 28: Determine the babies' genders at around three and a half to four weeks of age.
This process can be difficult.There is a distance between each hamster's anus and genital opening.The distance on a male and a female will be different.The nipples on the females' bellies should be noticed by four weeks.
Step 29: Once you know the genders, separate the males and females.
Hamsters have a lot of loose skin, and you can hold them by the scruff of their neck or down their back.If you lose your grip, return them to the cage and be careful not to drop them.
Step 30: Check the genders of the babies.
Not all hamsters mature at the same rate, so you have to make sure you gendered them correctly.After you separate them into male and female cages, check gender every day.If you notice testicles one day, you should switch the baby to the correct cage.If you don't know the sex of your babies, take them to a vet or hamster breeder.It's important to avoid accidental breeding of siblings.
Step 31: Babies should be used to human handling.
If they want to climb into your palm, place your hand in the cage so they can smell it.You can scoop them up with a small cup and start petting them.35 days after their birth, the babies will be ready for their new homes.
Step 32: Line up customers early.
35 days is a long time to look for people to purchase your hamsters.As the hamsters approach 35 days old, keep your customers updated so they can prepare their own homes.
Step 33: Sell the hamsters.
Send them off to reliable homes with families that will love them.The new owners should be given information on how to care for their hamsters.You want the babies to have the best start.
Step 34: Two to three month old hamsters are separated.
Syrians are highly territorial and you should keep any of the babies.All hamsters should be separated into their own cages when they reach two to three months of age.