Save my hamsters [Archive]

Fuzhammie

12-15-06, 10:45 PM 12-15-06

I have two dwarf hamsters from the same litter. They get along very well and never fight, I was actually expecting new babies. However, this afternoon I found a wound and some blood stain on the girl's front arm, I didnt know what happened, they do play with each other and make noises at times, but fight? Anyway, I opened the cage and let her out for a while as usual, she isnt so active, after a while, i let another out and at first, they were kissing like before, then started fighting again. What happened? I didnt feed them anything unusual, I dont want them to fight again.

Orbett

12-16-06, 02:31 AM 12-16-06

They just grew apart. You have to put them in seperate tanks or they WILL eventualy kill each other.

dwankrista

12-16-06, 04:50 AM 12-16-06

Also, if they are male and female you need to get him out of there anyway. He will impregnate her immediately after birth and you will be expecting a second litter before the first is ready to be weaned. That would be terribly stressful on that poor thing's little body.

Did you breed them? If so, why? Do you know their genetic backgrounds? Are they pet store hamsters?

HandcuffedAngel

12-16-06, 04:58 AM 12-16-06

Fuzhammie

12-16-06, 06:22 AM 12-16-06

hammieluvr

12-16-06, 07:34 AM 12-16-06

oh, wow. You can't breed from the same litter!!! :no:

JaneG

12-16-06, 11:40 AM 12-16-06

They are not pet shop hamsters, I got them from my aunt and they are indeed from the same litter. Now they dont fight anymore, the boy is kinda upset cos his 'girlfriend' doesnt kiss him anymore, the girl is doing better and she avoids him. I hope it wont happen again.

You need to seperate them ASAP. If the female is pregnant (which she probably is if she has been kept with a male) the babies may be born deformed and have problems. You should never breed family members. Also, where did your aunt get their parents from?

Fuzhammie

12-16-06, 07:32 PM 12-16-06

Good news guys,I phoned my aunt and she finally got it clear that they arent from the same litter! I am so happy now,she was a little confused, now I know they are fine. They stop fighting and sleep together again,lol.

Caitandcritters

12-16-06, 08:07 PM 12-16-06

Its a misconception that two "family members" babies will be "deformed" or mutants. They may have bad recessive traits that show up, but likely they will not be deformed. Its usually only through repeated line breeding/inbreeding whatever you wish to call it that ill or unhealthy babies are born. This is more likely with petstore hamsters.

Where does your aunt get her breeding stock?

It'd be a good idea to seperate them, especially if their genetics are unknown. You can go to your aunt and get a baby girl to live with your female and a baby boy to live with your male. That way neither will be lonely. Just be sure to QT and to go slow with your intros.

What colors are they? Do you have pics? :D

Fuzhammie

12-16-06, 11:03 PM 12-16-06

They are from different litters but have been with each other ever since left their mothers, so they get used to it and are now playing friendly again. Dad said the boy accidentally hurt the girl cos he was trying to 'defend,'himself while the girl was teasing him,lol. Thank you guys for all the info, they are fine now, I'll try to get a picture here asap. :)

KOKKINIKLOSTI

12-17-06, 04:59 AM 12-17-06

Seeing two hamsters playing together is such a lovely picture! But even if they get along they will definately have babies at some point! Are you ready to take care of the mother and the babies and probably have multiple litters in the future? Better have two lonely hamsters that you can take care of, that have many-many babies that you do not know what to do with them! And although dwarves can usually live within a society, they can also do well alone!

ratbrat21

12-17-06, 05:57 AM 12-17-06

And although dwarves can usually live within a society, they can also do well alone!

yup i agree with that. Some people are so ready to start a fight if you have a lone dwarf hamster. They do very well either way! And i also agree you sohuld not be breeding. Because if you found it was to much for you you might decide an easy way to get rid of them would be a pet store. I think you should just separate them. But its your choice!

PetLuver21257

12-17-06, 04:26 PM 12-17-06

You need to separate them! If there is blood that's a no-no!

And you don't know that it won't happen again!

FemaleCheetah

12-17-06, 08:07 PM 12-17-06

I smell a troll :troll:

Fuzhammie

12-17-06, 09:33 PM 12-17-06

They like each other a lot. We decided to separate them after the first delivery. Cos we dont wanna too much babies and its gonna hurt the poor girls body. I took some photos of them last night, will put them here asap. ;)

KOKKINIKLOSTI

12-18-06, 03:59 AM 12-18-06

I do not know, but is it okay for the daddy to stay in with the mommy until birth? I would like to ask the more acknowledgeable here, if there can be any problems until the delivery! I mean, if they are compitable at times, id there any chance that the daddy can hurt the babies?

PetLuver21257

12-18-06, 01:04 PM 12-18-06

We decided to separate them after the first delivery.
The male will IMMEDIATELY mate with the female during the time that she is giving birth to each pup. So she will still get pregnant if you keep the male in there. You HAVE to separate them NOW!

Yeah, they like each other a lot... That's why there's blood. :angry:

ratbrat21

12-18-06, 01:19 PM 12-18-06

The male will IMMEDIATELY mate with the female during the time that she is giving birth to each pup. So she will still get pregnant if you keep the male in there. You HAVE to separate them NOW!

Yeah, they like each other a lot... That's why there's blood.

yes hun you do need to separate them ASAP. Or you could end up with a dead hamster and or even dead babies. Its always better to be safe then sorry.

TiaMaria

12-18-06, 03:30 PM 12-18-06

Actually if you catch the birthing processes which is very unlikely because it happens generally when you are asleep or away because they like their privacy you could seperate the male right there. If anyone has ever seen the birthing processes during that time the female will viciously attack the male and keep him at bay while she is having the pups. After the last pup is out the male will attempt to mate while the female is feeding her babies. If you were around for all of that process I'd say leave him in there until the last pup is born but considering you wont be..and the chances you will be are smaller than 5% because they will hold their pups in until they feel comfortable I would just say take the male out now and it will save you a bunch of greif. A mother getting pregnant so soon after her last litter is born is SOO tough on her and chances are the rest of her litter from the second will die and the first litter will starve due to her being pregnant and feeding the second bunch of babies inside her. The best thing you can do for yourself and these pups and well as mom is to remove him. The mother will do fine on her own without the father, she has her instincts to guide her.

Also-

A lot of first litters are veyr unsuccessful simply because its counted as a "test" litter, so if these ones dont turn out and you considering breeding again, you can add the male right after the last pup is gone/dies. I'm not going to tell you breeding isnt something you should do, because that is your choice. Just a lot of people here see the unwanted hamsters and pets in local shelters and would much rather have you adopt them, than make your own litters. Especially if you dont know the genetic line or these hamsters are straight from a pet store. I would suggest reading up on genetic and breeding before you jump into it. Despite how easy you may think it is, it is really hard!