Breeding Hamsters

[kitary]

I want to breed a teddy bear with a syrian/teddy bear
this is my first time. I can't go to a breeder. How do I do this?

[Leahv1]

Don't breed!!! For 1 a teddy bear hamster is the same as a syrian.
Plus syrians can't be kept together, so you want to risk one or both dieing?
I would suggest doing alot of research. Please!
Try to find a rescue somewhere.
Leah

[Zouave]

Breeding amounts to animal abuse and animal cruelty. It should not be done.

Besides that, you have no idea what you are doing as proven by this statement: >>
I want to breed a teddy bear with a syrian/teddy bear <<

They are ALL Syrians.

And Syrians can have litters of 12 or more, each of whom will soon need a SEPARATE home. And don't try to dump the babies on a pet store as they already have too many.

Do something USEFUL instead. Do something NOT selfish. Find some shelters and RESCUE a hamster. I did that this afternoon. Since your location is "on earth" you should have no problem finding one by asking around and searching online. For those in NY, there is http://muttcats.com/shelters/new_york.htm

http://www.scarnyc.org/

[HammieLover]

Dont do it trust me i have 3 Syrians and i wil separate them because i dont want babies they cane be keep together so DONT DO IT! You only want one, why would you want more?

[kitary]

I know that a teddy bear is the same as a syrian, that is why I wrote a /. I already have a male and a female hamster of the same type, I am not getting anymore hamsters. When the female has babies we already have friends who want some. We can get new cages for them.

They have separate cages they are not being kept together.
If they mate, it will be on neutral territory we will have gloves and a bowl to separate them. The hamster is ready ever few days. I have done a lot of research before I made this thread.
I just wanted and needed some information from an EXPERIENCED breeder. I still do.

[Leahv1]

Where did you get them?If you got them from a petstore you will probably be breeding tumors/cancer into the babies.
There are so many hamsters in the pounds/shelters. Why not go and rescue?
How old if your female?
How big are there cages/tanks?
Leah

[kitary]

the guy was from a petstore the girl was from a friend she was born and partly raised there. I do not want to rescue because if we have the babies we don't really need another hamster. Perhaps I will rescue when they die. the female is about 4 1/2 months old. The girl has a three level cage the male has a 2 level cage.

[Leahv1]

Its not good to breed if you don't know genetics! The male probably will carry some type of cancer or tumor. You want to breed babies and then give them to your friends/family and there hamsters end up with cancer/tumors?
You just got hamsters the other day! Wait awhile. Please. It would be the best.
Leah

[kitary]

I got one hamster the other day

[Leahv1]

You know how long the female is pregnant for?
What food would you feed her?
When will the babies be weaned?
When will you start handling the babies?
Why do you want to breed?
I think you should wait till these hamsters pass on and if you still want to breed learn genetics and get them from a breeder.

Leah

[kitary]

I will not wait till they pass on I have had about 3-4 hamsters in the past, non were well behaved except for one, but he died. I now have three hamsters a dwarf and two teddy bears these two are the most behaved. Yes I know these answers:
1 about 16 days
2 high protein food
3 at 3 weeks
4 at 14-16 days when they are covered in fur and their eyes are open you can handle them for short periods of time
5 I want to breed them because I want the experience and to see the pups grow and maybe keep a few. My hamster is ready and she does want to mate at least it seems like she does.

[Jennicat]

I wish all these people who want the "experience" of seeing an animal born would go to a shelter for the "experience" of watching all these babies die. :(

[PetLuver21257]

Listen,
When I wanted to breed Dwarf Hamsters (still do!) I had about 3 or 4 homes lined up for them (This was about 1 month ago), and everybody said they would take at least one. Now, nobody wants one! And, dwarf hamsters can live together!
Also, Syrian hamsters can have 15 or more babies! Here is a picture a litter ONE mother had:

http://www.hamsterific.com/images/hamsters/PupsInNest.jpg

If only like 5 of your friends take ONE, you are left with about 10 baby hamsters to put into 10 INDIVIDUAL cages!

Please, DO NOT BREED SYRIAN HAMSTERS!! Breeding dwarves is another story... It's not fun for you to have 10 cages in your room, and it is not fun for the mother to give birth to 15 or more hamsters!! DON'T DO IT!

[PetLuver21257]

AND THE CALCULATIONS OF THE COST ADD UP!!!

Wheel- $4 x 10 =$40
Water Bottle- $5 x 10 =$50
Food Bowl- $4 x 10 =$40
Wooden Houses- $7 x 10 =$70
FOOD bag- $7 x about 3 a month = $28 A MONTH
Bedding- $7 x about 2 a month = $14 A MONTH
Cages- $25 x 10 = $250
And the list goes on and on, so if my calculations are correct, you would have to spend about (on the first month)

$492 NOT INCLUDING TAX!

So, do you still want to breed them now? Well, I hope that you re-think the idea!

[HammieLover]

WOW thats a lot! By the way PetLuver you keep ypu Hammie in an aqaurium right? I just put mine in a 20 gallon aqaurium how do you clean it?

[PetLuver21257]

Well hammielover, I throw out all the used bedding and take out all her toys and stuff. Then I put the 10 gallon into the bathtub, fill it with hot water, and then I put Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo in it. But if you don't have that, you can use a mild detergent, like dawn or joy. I scrub it with my hands, then I rinse it out and with many paper towels, I wipe all of the water off and out of it. When it is dry, I fill it with shavings and replace Kiba's toys and stuff! That's how I clean her cage!

[PetLuver21257]

$492 is a lot of money, wow! I didn't think about how much it is until now! You can buy a dog with that money! Please Kitary, don't breed syrians! It's not fun to spend $492 on only hamsters... It is also not fun for the mother... Please re-think the whole idea!

[HammieLover]

Thanks for your help! I guess its not that hard huh lol :)

[kitary]

Jennicat, don't you ever even DARE to talk about dying animals, for I have seen and experienced the deaths of many. Plus it is deer season and the hunters are back out there, one deer is my favorite, it is all white with black spots, I just know it will be a fine target for the hunters. My mom ran over my cat by accident, another person ran over my other cat during holloween, the other six were sold, my wild pigeon was let go, my beloved many hermit crabs and fish died, my lovely green snake died, four very loved hamsters died. I have watched animals die out in the wild no matter what they still died. I have lost many more... so don't you even ever talk about dying animals never ever. I know the hamster babies could die and I am prepared to go through another loss, but never talk about how I or "people" should go see the dying animals because let me tell you missy, I know, I HAVE!

PetLuver, I am prepared to spend all that money I'm not rich but I am most definantly not poor. One friend wants to take like ten another wants to take about 6 another wants 2 and another wants one and I want to keep like 2-3.

[Jennicat]

First of all, don't YOU talk to me about animals dying. I work with animal rescue. Watching an animal die by accident, and watching an animal die because some moron wanted babies are two seperate things. Believe it or not, I also have seen animals die by accident, your experiences are not special or unique.

Small animals are put to sleep before just about anything else at shelters. They take special care, special caging, and are harder to sex than a cat or a dog.

Quite frankly as long as you're making irresponsible, poorly thought out decisions, I was "talk to you about dying animals", because you're creating them. So don't you DARE talk down to me, when I spend my time trying to save all these animals that PEOPLE LIKE YOU create.

[kitary]

My sister wants to breed them I am not the moron I already told her they could die she knows I tried showing her this thread she ignored me I need to know the information by thursday that is when the hamster that is hers is in heat she know how to breed them and I need information soon. I am trying to help but I need actual information.

My deaths with animals are special to me at least becaue they are a part of me, every time they die it hurts so bad.

I too have saved animals and they are doing fine today, a cockateil from the wild, a dog from a shelter, two parakeets about to go to a shelter and much more. I did not "create animals that need saving" they died of old age except my cats that were ran over, and a few that had diseases from the store like my hermit crabs, the snake and a few goldfish. You can come over my house and take a look at how good they are being taken care of and you will see I am not "one of those people".

[SweetlilMarce]

there are idiots like this on all the forums.

it's such a shame

[PetLuver21257]

Really, I don't think you or your sister know what you guys are getting into. It is not a good thing to breed syrian hamsters. I have told you all I can tell you:

$492 spent on them

You know, friends can turn on you. They might all of a sudden say, "Oh, they are too much work! Here, take them back or I will get rid of them.... " I also don't believe that one of your friends wants to take 10 of them, spending $492, maybe you should show your friends these posts, not just showing your sister them.

There are already enough suffering hamsters in the world, can't you save them?

HERE'S AN IDEA: HOW ABOUT YOU GET AN ALREADY PREGNANT FEMALE FROM A PETSTORE!! YOU CAN SAVE THE BABIES LIVES, AND (supposedly) SUPPLY EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED!

[kitary]

SweetlilMarsh did you call me an idiot, because I sure am not.
PetLuver, I'm not getting she is and I just want to make sure she doesn't kill them both though she has done a lot of research and knows what to do plus she told me that one of her friends want to take about ten, I too think she or her friend is exaggerating with my friends I asked are you sure have you got the money I told them how much it would cost, their parents said it would be both okay if they had one and about the money. Me and my sister have done all the reseach we need I just wanted advice from an experienced breeder, but...
Who do you mean save, the hamsters cause I hae saved plenty of animals in the past and they are doing fine today.
We tried finding an already pregnant one but none of the places near us had one. Plus, my sister wants to breed them and she is going to tomarrow that is why I want advice from an expert quick.

[yodelinghamster]

If she really is prepared to spend the money, time, and has ENOUGH friends lined up, then lets HELP her! don't be so quick to make fun of her! I would be wise to figure out the genentics first. I do like the idea of recueing a pregant hamster from the pet store... Anyway I will give you a site to help with genetics!

http://hometown.aol.com/theriverrd/genetics.htm

I have gone here to learn some stuff, and it has been most helpful! Please read everything on that site!! Once you get it, it not not quite as hard as they make it sound. :) I have no shelters near me for small animals! But one day I might like to adopt a already pregnant hamster from the pet store. But onlt when I am super sure I know EXATLY what I'm doing! I suggest you wait till the next cycle, maybe by then you will bw ready. (?) Tomarrow might be a little to soon. It is just not very wise to throw 2 hams togther and hop for the best! Make sure your hamsters will produce good babies! You can never be sure what went on with that male from the petstore. I will close with this, the actully mateing process is quite tricky, intoducing the hamsters at the right time. I suggest you do a lot of reading on that! Even for the most expericanced breeders it can take a few times before they get it right!

[Chaos]

I dispise the idea of breeding a petshop hamster. You just don't know what you're breeding into them, or how healthy or temperamentally sound they'll be.

I had one litter from Smudge and Zero (They're from a good breeder here) and it was VERY hard. Smudge has 11 babies, and unfotunately only 5 survived. I had tons of people who said they wanted one, but as soon as the babies ere born, oops, they didn't have the time anymore. I ended up keeping 4 out of the 5 babies, just because I couldn't part with them, However, I hope you're willing to spend a fortune because it was over $200 to buy new cages, toys, food, and bedding for the babies.

The emotional part was the hardest though. Watching them die, and removing them one by one. Especially the little runt I got extremely attached too, he faught so hard, but eventually, didn't make it because he was jus ttoo small.

I doubt anything is going to convince you not to breed, but make sure you're prepared at least.

[HammieLover]

DONT BREED! Its a lot of money and Chaos i know how you feel. Once i rescued a female Syrian she had 18 babies!!!! The worst part was seem all of them die!!! Not even one made it! She is now the mom of my new 3 Hammies who thanks god are all alive and healthy. After her litter pass away my friend took her and she lives a happy life now. But unfortunely she ran out one night and got pregnant had 7 babies all of them lived and now have great and forever homes :)

[HammieLover]

But not everyone is that lucky!!!! The world dont need any more breeders just forever homes!

[kitary]

Thank you yodelinghamster for your information has been the most helpful and un-nerving. I know all the hamsters may die and it may take a while or a few tries. My sister is the one who wants t breed tomarrow it is her hamster and I am afraid I have no way to stop her I have tried to tel her to wait. Anyway we have been letting the hamsters roll side be side in their balls so they can get used to eachother and their cages are close together too but not too close. Petlover I know what it is like to loose a pet, very, very heart wrenching. It hurts but glad to know the mommy is okay.

Thank you guys for this information, I really needed it to make sure my sister is doing right. Tomarrow, she says she is still going to breed.

[HammieLover]

OMG all the help we give you you still want to breed!!!! Im sorry to say looks like she enjoys it and i hate people who do that! BREED WHILE OTHES DIE! Think about it and if you really want to stop her you would already have!

[kitary]

No not me my sister I tried telling her but its her hamster I can't stop her. I really did try when I speak to her she ignores me I try over and over again. I grabed her arm and tried telling her and she pushed me away so I tried again and she told on me so then I explained to my parents they say its her hamster she can do whatever she wants, I am still trying I just hope I can convince her to wait before tommarrow.

[kitary]

But yes I will say that I kind of do want to breed just not this soon.

[kitary]

Thanks though

[HammieLover]

Ok Kitary try your best :) By the way she is breeding her Hammie with which other hammie?

[kitary]

A teddy bear

[kitary]

If she does breed anyway and the hamster becomes pregnant I will keep you updated hopefully with pictures, but even more hopefully she won't.

[HammieLover]

Ok thanks! Now whose hammie is the other one? the one she is breeding with

[kitary]

well the girl is hers and the boy is mostly hers and a bit of everyones, but she paid for about half of the entire cost

[yodelinghamster]

I dispise the idea of breeding a petshop hamster.


If you were talking to me, that is NOT at all what I mean't! I said I would like to save a pregnat hamster from a petstore! Since there are no hamster shelters near me, and I dislike the idea of breeding in general, I would like to SAVE a pregnant hamster with an unsure future. Once of course a good chance comes along and I'm ready.

[Zouave]

My second hamster was Rainy who I got on Jan. 3, 2003. Six days later she had a litter of 12, everyone I kept until they died a natural death. I posted about them many times; they were like family members.

Their memorials are RIGHT HERE (http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=5199770&uid=924030&members=1) at that link.

[kitary]

That is so sad, I went there, it was really really depressing

[Chaos]

If you were talking to me, that is NOT at all what I mean't! I said I would like to save a pregnat hamster from a petstore! Since there are no hamster shelters near me, and I dislike the idea of breeding in general, I would like to SAVE a pregnant hamster with an unsure future. Once of course a good chance comes along and I'm ready.

Uh, no. The original poster said one of their hamsters was from a pet shop, I don't have a problem with rescuing a mommy ham.

[kitary]

yeah well the pet shop hammie that I got had it bad. He's doing much better now, with lots of love!

[HammieLover]

Did she breed them already?

[kitary]

nope, she was lazy and we sent shopping today so it stalled her even farther, good thing, shopping is!

[HammieLover]

Lol i know hope she shops a lot! So she will forget to do something sooooooo cruel!

[kitary]

yea she will be too busy or lazy I also hope she gets loads of homework that will keep her busy for a while!

[HammieLover]

Lol yeah :) I have to go now he are heading over to Jacksonville or Talahassee because Hurricane Wilma is entering right in our city so we must LEAVE! We dont want to take any chances. We are taking all of our pets :)

[kitary]

OMG! I pray you and your animals will all be perfectly un harmed

[HammieLover]

Thanks a lot!

[kitary]

Your welcome!