Cute, cuddly and easy to care for, hamsters make great pets. When done responsibly, breeding hamsters can be fun, and it's also a great way to give pets to your child and their friends. With a little preparation and planning, it's really easy. Once you are ready, this is what you should do.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Buying hamsters to breed
Step 1. Determine the type of hamster you want
Syrian hamsters are also great pets, as they are individual animals, but they are quite difficult to breed. If male and female hamsters are met at the wrong time, they can fight. Dwarf hamsters are somewhat indifferent to humans, but they are more friendly with each other, and easier to breed.
Also there are Russian hamsters, white hamsters, and other types. If you buy from a breeder, ask about the types of hamsters and find out whether they are sociable or not, to estimate your hamster breeding process
Step 2. Take a pair of hamsters
It's best to get your hamster from a breeder, so you can pick from a wide selection of colors and types. Also good to know their breeding history.
In pet shops, you can often find mixed breed hamsters that are less favorable for breeding. Also, pet shop workers may find it difficult to explain which is male and which is female
Step 3. Find a healthy hamster
Make sure his eyes are bright and clear, his fur is smooth and shiny, and that he looks active and interested in his surroundings.
Step 4. Buy two large cages for your hamster
Cages in the form of a plastic tub or aquarium provide many advantages in breeding. Place each hamster in one cage and fill the bottom with wood peel, megazorb or carefresh. Avoid sawdust as it can get into the eyes and interfere with breathing.
- Avoid wire cages. Hamsters, especially chicks, can sneak out.
- Take a small plastic "hamster house" for your hamster to take shelter in. fill with a little material that you use at the bottom of the cage.
- Hamster wheels are also great for their habitat. For dwarf hamsters, they can use any size wheel, but for Syrian hamsters it must be over 8 inches and must be made of plastic, not wire.
- You will also need a water bottle, food bowl, hamster food, snacks, etc.
Step 5. When you bring your hamsters home, leave them alone for at least a day
Don't let them out of the cage, so make sure food and water are available, so they can get to know their new home without being disturbed.
Part 2 of 3: Breeding your hamster
Step 1. Wait until the female mating period
When the hamster is 28 days old, they are ready to mate. The female mating period comes every 4 days. When female hamsters are ready to mate, they will act like cats ready to mate, scratching the floor and raising their tails. You may also notice that these hamsters will smell more pungent because they release pheromones.
- If the female hamster is not ready to mate, it is dangerous to mate, the female hamster can fight and kill the male.
- When you are ready to mate them, place their cages side by side for a few days, so they can get to know each other and attract attention.
Step 2. Place the female in the male cage
Put the female into the male's cage. Hamsters are nocturnal animals, so start in the afternoon. Place it in a neutral place, such as a spare cage, because if it is in the female's cage, then the female may attack the male. If they fight, separate them and try again tomorrow.
Follow this step until they mate. If you missed the mating period, wait a few days until the next mating period
Step 3. Separate the female hamster after mating is complete
Some male hamsters will love their young, but some will attack and feed them. It's better to take the safe route, even if you have a loving male hamster, by separating them during pregnancy until birth, about two weeks.
If you breed dwarf hamsters, they will have a longer time to be ready to mate. It takes about 4 months to 1 year for them to be ready to mate, and the pregnancy is about 3 weeks
Part 3 of 3: Hamster Birth
Step 1. Wait
At this time, you have to be more patient while observing the process. If the female is pregnant, it will show within a few days, and when she is ready to give birth, she will have bumps on her body. You don't need to do anything in particular, just avoid abusing your hamster, and leave him alone.
- You will know that a baby hamster will be born when the female becomes restless. He goes around the cage, gathering food and nesting places. Then she will give birth, you will see her uterus enlarge and the pink part will enlarge. One by one, the baby will come out and the mother will take it and clean it and bring it to the nest.
- When the hamster gives birth, do not interfere. Births, especially first ones, may be difficult for your hamster, but you can't do anything about it. Let it run naturally.
Step 2. Keep an eye on the baby hamster
This time and the next few days, you should not disturb him. If he leaves the baby around the cage, don't touch it. If you must pick it up, use a spoon, and place it back into the nest.
Step 3. Allow the mother to nurse for 3 weeks without interruption, including cleaning the cage
Leave them alone, except when you carefully pour food and water. If the mother is stressed, she can eat her young.
Do not think that the mother is eating her young, if she takes it with her mouth. This happens when the mother feels her child is in danger
Step 4. Wait three and a half weeks
At this time, it is safe to separate the hamsters, see the sex and separate them. They will be ready to mate in 5-6 weeks, and you don't want a sibling marriage. This will result in disability in the child. Place the female hamster in one cage and the male in the other for 2-3 weeks until they have a new home.
Tips
- Make sure you don't turn on the flashlight while the mother is giving birth, as she needs solitude and can harm the baby hamster's eyes.
- Make sure not to disturb the mother hamster for the first few days as this will stress them out and could bite you or eat the chicks.
- You can see if a female hamster is ready to mate by rubbing it along her body. If he lies down or slightly bends his back, it means he is ready to mate.
- Loud music will make your hamster nervous.
- Make sure the hamster is ready to mate.
- Don't panic if the mother kills or eats some of her chicks in the first few weeks. It was normal for him to choose which one would survive.
