Sexing
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Now comes the fun part!! Only kidding!! Sexing hamsters, especially at an early age can be tricky. But once you figure out the hang of it - it is simple as can be. The hardest part is just getting them to cooperate to look at their bum.
We have used several methods but our two favorites are the old stand by of flipping your hamster over and a clear bottom container. The clear bottom container is much less traumatic for hamsters verses the flipping. No matter which method you choose to use, always use a gentle hand when working with these little guys.
Our first method of a clear container is pretty self-explanatory. We place our hamsters in a 12” diameter clear plastic container. The bottom of the container should not have texture, color, or etc. that may cause distortion. Place the hamster in question into the container. Hold the container so that you have a clear view of the underside of the hamster. Then look closely at the bottom area of your hamster.
Now if you chose to use the flip method do so very carefully. One way to flip is to gently cup the hamster in your hand and flip him or her over into your palm. Once flipped be certain to support their back with the palm of your hand. You will need to wait until they stop wiggling before trying to sex your little guy or gal.
Male Sexing: If your hamster is male it will have two vents or opening in an area called the scrotum. These vents are approximately 1 cm apart. The scrotum is a long bulbous area found in the bum area. The scrotum has a tendency to make the male long a little longer than he actually is.
Female Sexing: When looking at a females bum it may appear that she has one hole or opening, when actually it two opening very close together. Female hamsters also have four pairs of nipples. They are almost impossible to see but I thought that we should mention it anyway. Nor do they have the scrotum area, which is a very tale tale sign in an adult male.
Trying to sex a hamster prior to four weeks of age is not accurate. There for we recommend sexing them between 4 and 5 weeks of age. At this age it is much easier to tell.
If you have any questions about your hamster please email us at critterbarn@boomspeed.com.
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Breeding
Dwarf hamsters are sociable and cohabitate peacefully both in the wild and captivity. Especially if placed together at an early age. But be warned that if you place a male and female together, they will do what comes naturally – have lots and lots of babies.
Sexual maturity normally occurs between 60 and 90 days, some individuals may mature as early as 30 days. Once breeding has occurred, gestation can run between 18 to 22 days. The female can be in heat again as early as 24 hours after giving birth to her current litter. You have been warned!
Prior to giving birth a female dwarf hamster will prefer to be left alone. She may also reduce the amount of food she ingests both a day or two before and after. In an attempt to secure a birthing area for her young, the female may pursue the male endlessly for a few days. After the birth of their offspring the male will then be invited back by the female to the nest in order to help with the young. Male dwarf hamsters are excellent helpers to the mother.
That’s it for the basics in breeding dwarf hamsters. Just be certain to have a healthy pair, with a clean cage, high quality food and water, then let nature take its course. Hopefully, you will have some very nice pups soon after.
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The Reality of Breeding | Ethical Breeding
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Pups
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Hamster babies are referred to as pups. When these newest additions to world enter, they look like a huddled mass of pink wrinkles. They are born hairless, blind and helpless to the world. But don’t worry a good mother will protect and nurse her young no matter what occurs. Although, I should mention that some young mothers do not like to have the nest bothered in the early stages of infancy.
Handling the pups. What can I say about this? DON’T attempt to touch the pups until they are about two weeks of age. This will allow a new mother to become more comfortable with you around her and her babies. If you attempt to touch the pups or clean the cage to early this may cause the mother to abandon, or worse, to eat her own young. Just be patient time will come very quickly for you to be able to handle such adorable little creatures.
These little ones will grow quickly. Once the pups have reached the age of about week old or older their eyes should start opening. At about 5 days old the pups will have noticeable fuzz on their bodies. The fuzz will show the color and/or pattern they may or may not have when they are older. At around three weeks of age they will spend more and more time on their own. At four to five weeks of age they should be removed from their mother to their own cages. Tada….they have grown to be their own little hamster.
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