You can breed dwarf hamsters at home.This is not advisable.You might have nowhere for them to go if your pet shop has established hamster suppliers.You are at risk of birth defects.To reduce the surplus populations of hamsters, it is better to adopt dwarfs.There are many things to be aware of if you still insist on breeding your own dwarf hamsters.
Step 1: Pick out male and female dwarf hamsters.
If you don't already have a sexually mature male and female hamster, you should look for one at the pet store.To make sure you are getting a male and a female, check the genitalia.It is difficult to tell the difference.The testicles and anus are not the same for males.The genitalia and anus are very close together on females.There are points on the bottom of the hamster, just below the tail and between the hind legs.Make sure the males and females are at least 30 days old.The male should be older than the female around the same age.You don't have to worry about treating illnesses if they are healthy.
Step 2: There are cages for your hamsters.
If you have more than one dwarf hamster in a cage, you need an extra half inch of space.hamster cage size is important for breeding.Like a plank of wood or plastic, the base should be solid.It's important that you have easy access to all the parts of the cage.If you want your hamsters to have a better quality of life, consider getting a cage with tubes.Prepare to break them down and scrub them out.You do need a wheel.It is possible to get bedding made from wood.The wood is harmful to your hamsters' lungs.Babies can fall out of a cage with small openings or solid walls.After you have bred her, place the mother's cage in a quiet area.The female should have extra bedding for the nest.
Step 3: Provide hamsters with food and water.
The hamsters can easily reach the bottle.There are water bottles on the side of a cage.You can buy hamster food at the pet store.If you want to feed your dwarf hamsters fresh food, focus on seeds, whole grains, fresh green vegetables, and boiled eggs.After the mother gives birth, give her a slice of bread soaked in cow's skim milk.Milk bread can be offered until the pups reach four weeks.Stock the feeders with food so that the mother doesn't get disturbed after the pups are born.If you stock the feeders well, you won't have to disturb the hamsters to refill them.
Step 4: Wait until the female hamster is warm.
Female hamsters are usually three or four months old.They enter heat every four days.The time of heat for a female hamster will last for 12 hours at night.Your hamster will have a white substance in her vagina.The male released sperm and this is proof.
Step 5: The hamsters should be in a single cage.
If you see the female dwarf hamster in her estrus cycle, you can put the male in the cage with her.Since dwarf hamsters can live happily in the same cage, you might keep the pairs together until the female gives birth.The female will become pregnant quickly if you place the pair together without supervision.There is blood under the tail of a female.
Step 6: There are signs that the female is going to deliver.
She will build a nest by gathering bedding material in one place.She will start to groom and eat more.She may startle more easily.
Step 7: Before the birth, remove the male.
The female's life is at risk if the male is present in the same cage with his family after she gives birth.The male will mate with her immediately after she gives birth.She shouldn't get pregnant again right away.When you see the signs of the mother getting ready to give birth, take the male out.
Step 8: It takes 18 to 30 days for a baby to be born.
The average time from conception to birth for a dwarf hamster is 21 days.The Roborovski hamster goes for 30 days.You can expect to have pups within three weeks if you place a male and female together in a cage.Before the birth, take the male out so that he doesn't mate again.Within 24 hours, the female goes back into heat.
Step 9: Expect a lot of babies.
Four to six pups are the average size of a dwarf hamster litter.There can be as few as three or as many as twelve.They will nurse for three weeks and then drink water for two weeks.They will move around the cage.Between day 16 and 21 they will start to eat solid food.
Step 10: You shouldn't touch the nest after the birth.
The mother will be very nervous.Don't touch the nest for the first three weeks after the pups are born.The mother could kill her babies.If you need to get something out of the cage, use something other than your bare hand.To avoid the nest, be very careful.A tissue can be used.Try to keep the smell out of the cage.If you want to spend less time disturbing the mother hamster, you might consider stocking a water bottle and food bowl.
Step 11: The male babies need to be separated after 4 weeks.
Male pups should be removed after four weeks of age.You want to prevent inbreeding because they are mature at this age.The female pups can be left in the cage with their mother, because the dwarf hamsters are more mild than other breeds.The male pups should be placed in their own cage after being rejected by their father.Giving them an extra week with their mother to adjust to life on solid food is a good thing.
Step 12: The babies are eating food.
The babies will start to eat on their own when they are three weeks old or between 16 and 21 days old.Make sure you have enough food for the mother and babies in the cage.