Getting my dwarf hamsters this week- a couple of questions!

[animalmagic]

So I've decided to get my dwarves this week if I can, but there's no rush. I just wanted to know a few last minute things before I got them. I know a lot of these could probably be answered by looking back over past posts but the "Search" function hasn't worked for me since they renovated the site.

1) How easy is it to sex young dwarf hamsters? I mean, obviously there are certain parts to look for in males etc.. but how visible/distinguishable would these be in very young hamsters? I'm asking cause I really really don't wanna end up with mixed sexes as I'm planning on getting a trio, and I want to double check the sexes myself before bringing them home- I don't trust employees much!

2) Should I bother providing a chinchilla sand bath? I've heard mixed opinions on this, some say do, some say it's not necessary.

Thanks, I think I'm filled in on all the other information, as I've been planning on getting them for ages now! :)

[903409518093852]

I would get dust bath. MAke sure you buy chinchilla SAND, not dust. I got a potty for my dwarfs and they rolled in it, so they should like sand.

[dwankrista]

yep, the sand is great, my boys love it now that they've all figured it out (it took willie over a month). as for sexing, the most telltale sign for me is the scent gland located right in the middle of the belly on males. :)

[Caitandcritters]

Your best bet for sexing would be to compare and contrast between many of the babies. Smaller the distance, more likely it's a female, further, male. You know that, of couse. ;)

You can take a look here, for help.
http:// www.freewebs.com/cait_jloliyah/sexingyourhamster.htm w/o the spaces. :)

Good luck!

[Caitandcritters]

Where the heck is the edit button? Anyway, looks like that link takes you straight to the page, ignore the extra http:// . :)

[LMDH]

Dwarfs are easily sexed from three weeks old - just did my babies yesterday at 19 days :-) You can clearly see the gap that the males have - if unsure then compare hamsters and get two the look the same.

They will love a sandbath. All my dwarfs have one in the cage 24/7.

[bubblz]

It's very smart of you to double check. When I got my first dwarfs I also got a trio, except I trusted the pet store. I was told they were all males. They were not. Actually two were females. One Female attacked the other female BAD over night. She was separated and brought to the vet immediately. (at this time still thought they were all boys). Well about 1 week later one of my "boys" had a liter of 5 pups. It was actually devistating :cry: :cry: Both of the hamsters who mated were ruby-eyed-molted (eventhough one had "balck-eyes") which caused two of the pups to be eyeless toothless whites ( a sad issue theat occurs for aprox 25% of a litter born to two ruby-eyed-molted). It was beyond sad. So try to be very careful.
I learned a lot from that experience. And hope I can help others prevent something sad like that from happening.

[animalmagic]

Thanks everyone. Right, gotta get me some chinchilla sand (not dust) then. And now I feel more prepared for sexing!
bubblz, that's my worst fear, which is why I'm so paranoid! Lol :)

Thanks for the advice guys! :D

[bubblz]

It was so devastating to me. Especially at the time I had no idea they were eyless and toothless. I had planned to keep the two that were born becuase I wanted to make sure the runts were well taken care of.