Hamsters are easy to breed.A mother hamster will have four to eight babies at a time.As the mother will protect and care for her young, you don't need to do much.Food and water should be provided.After 21 to 28 days, separate the mother and babies and determine the sex of your hamsters.A healthy litter of hamsters can be raised with a little attention to detail.
Step 1: Prepare the mother for birth.
Preparing the mother for birth can be done if you know she is pregnant.You can tell a hamster is pregnant if she is gaining weight and playing with toys in one corner of the cage.Clean her cage and replace wood with clean supplies.Babies should be protected from injury by removing toys and wheels.The mother needs toilet paper in the cage to build a nest.The mother should be given more food than usual.
Step 2: The mother needs food to bring the babies.
You don't have to worry about feeding newborn hamster babies.The mother hamster will nurse her babies for the first two to three weeks and then give them food from around the cage.The mother should be able to get food to feed the babies by scattering hamster food throughout the cage.The babies will begin to explore the cage and hunt for food as they get older.
Step 3: The cage should be checked frequently.
It's important to make sure the babies have enough food and water when they are born.The water dish should always be full and there should be plenty of food on the floor for the mother to bring the babies.Don't let supplies run out if you check the cage frequently.When checking the cage, be quiet.You want to make sure you don't disturb the mother of the hamsters.For the first few weeks, peace and quiet are important.
Step 4: Don't touch the babies until they've grown fur.
A mother may not like having her smell on her babies.Babies that have not grown a lot of fur should not be touched as much as possible.It is usually safe to touch the babies after 10 to 14 days.They have a lot of fur, their eyes are open, and they're eating food.
Step 5: Provide an adequate supply of food.
It takes two to three weeks for weaning to start.As their mother discourages them from nursing, the babies will eventually transition to solid food.Providing enough food can help the process run smoothly.Add bowls for each baby and provide pellets for the hamsters.Make sure to check the cage frequently during this time to make sure the babies have enough food.
Step 6: After 21 to 28 days, separate baby hamsters from their mother.
hamsters are usually old enough to be separated from their mother after three to four weeks.The mother will become aggressive if babies are left with her for too long.The male and female hamsters should be separated.hamsters of the same gender should be able to share a cageIf fighting occurs frequently, you may have to separate the hamsters.
Step 7: The sex of the babies is determined.
It's important to make sure you don't pair hamsters of the same sex.You don't want siblings breeding with one another because hamsters reach sexual maturity quickly.Pick up the babies and look under their tails.There are two different openings for hamsters in this area.Males have openings that are different.There are no openings in between for females.
Step 8: Make sure you have enough food and water.
It is important to have enough food and water just after the mother gives birth.The mother may kill her babies to save them from starving.You should fill food and water bowls in the cage.
Step 9: The cage should be kept dry.
A wet cage can be fatal to baby hamsters.If there is a leak in a water bottle or water bowl, clean it up quickly.Remove any wet or dirty bedding immediately.
Step 10: The cage should not be cleaned early on.
When the babies are first born, leave the cage alone.When the babies have opened their eyes, you should not clean the cage.