Breeding Syrian (also known as golden or teddy bear) hamsters can be a very rewarding experience; however, before you decide to breed hamsters, there are some things to consider:
Do you have homes lined up for your hamsters? Hamsters are weaned after only 20 to 25 days, and they can breed at only 45 days old. You will not have much time after the pups (baby hamsters) are born before you will need to find homes for them. It is best to determine where you will send your hamsters well in advance. (Do not turn them loose - they will probably end up being eaten by another animal or starve to death. If they do not die before breeding, they can become a problem - just like other rodents in the wild.) You need to find them homes when they are around 4-7 weeks of age.
Do you have the space and supplies needed to breed hamsters? You will need plenty of space and housing facilities. You will need a minimum of four housing areas: one for males, one for females, one for a quarantine tank (for ill hamsters or for new hamsters before they are introduced into the general population), and a birthing house.
Are you prepared to make the commitment needed to breed hamsters? There will be a considerable commitment made in order to successfully breed your hamsters. Cages must be kept extra clean. Costs will be more - for bedding, food, etc. There is also an investment in cages, toys, etc. Make sure you are willing to
invest those kinds of resources before you breed your hamsters.
If you have determined that breeding hamsters is what you want to do, take these steps to get your adventure off to a good start:
1. Find a reputable breeder to purchase your hamsters. Make sure you choose a breeder that keeps his hamsters in a clean, spacious area and that they are well-cared-for.
2. Observe your potential pet closely before you buy. Is the hamster friendly? Calm? Tame? Curious? Do not choose a hamster with a timid or overly aggressive temperament, since temperament is hereditary and breeding hamsters with undesirable traits will be counterproductive. Choose a hamster that is either tame and docile or at least not hostile. If you can find a breeder that handles his hamsters often and has already tamed them, all the better. Local pet stores frequently do not handle their hamsters often, so a local breeder might be the better choice for selecting breeding stock.
3. Keep males and females apart except when you want to breed them. Females often mistreat males unless they are ready to mate. Females are fertile about once every four days. You can tell if a female is fertile because she will freeze with her tail up in the air as soon as she is around a male.
4. Keep pregnant and nursing females away from noise and do not handle them excessively. Be sure not to touch the babies until after they are weaned, and separate males and females soon after they are weaned to prevent unwanted breeding.
Author Resource:-
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about pet hamsters and pet health.
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