Breeding related Dwarf Hamsters? - Paw Talk

Killer1000101 · #1 04-03-2004, 12:51 PM

I have a question about breeding dwarf hamsters, so i figured this is the best thread to post on. I have a male and a female (Campbell's, bkz i can't remember how to spell the Djun...

). Time and work aren't an issue for me. My question is about relation. There is a possibility that the male is the uncle of the female. I was just wondering if there are any problems with breeding related hamsters. Logically, i wouldn't think there is a problem because all the campbell's we have today all came from the same male and two females, and they weren't even discovered until 1902. And i would imagine that if there were going to be problems with retardation and such, all the hamsters would have that problem. I just wanted to bring this question up to people with more experience than me before i try to mate them, especially since the mating season for them just started. Worse case scenario, i get another female and wait til next april or later in the season. ;-) Any info would be much appreciated, thanks.

Runt · #2 04-03-2004, 05:35 PM

I wouldn't breed the two together.I would also suggest a little more research because breeding hamsters can and will take alot of time.Yes inbreeding can probably cause problems as well as genetic defects if breeding the wrong colors.They can also be diabetic you would never know until it is too late.Things to think about.
Do you have homes for the babies as they can have a litter of up to 8 usually 4-6 with mine every 16 days ( there is no season on dwarf hamsters)
Can you afford more cages as well as vet care if something was to go wrong?
Just my 2 cents.

Killer1000101 · #3 04-03-2004, 10:49 PM

Trust me, i've done research. That's why i asked about the relative problem; none of my research yeilded information on it. Yes, i have homes for the babies, i already have extra cages, and my job allows me to bring the hamsters in when i need to. Don't worry, i'm not some kid who thinks it's cool to things without research. I'm a very intelligent woman and i never get myself into something big like this without doing my homework first. ;-)

Thanks for the info, though.

undercoverrats · #4 04-04-2004, 01:44 AM

I think it would depend on the line. As with any animal inbreeding can be a dangerous thing...and yet so many of our little hamsters are. I have dwarfs. I came into them as a lady who bred them could no longer keep hers. I am sure she inbred hers. They seem to be just fine..no health issues as of yet. I would think that it would more likely be ok. I have a litter of new ones today. They are so cute. I wish that I could handle them as much as I do my ratty babies, but mommy dwarfs just are not keen on that, hehe.
Marianne

Killer1000101 · #5 04-04-2004, 11:07 PM

My boyfriend was just blessed with rat babies... accidentally! He saved a feeder rat that his snake didn't eat, and a few weeks later there were 18 rat babies. Fun fun. And it's near impossible to find homes, and he doesn't want to take them to the pet store because he wants them to be pets, not food. He's gonna keep them all if he can't find homes. They were all handled from day 1, and i know with dwarfs you have to wait at least 2 weeks. But, that's fine with me... gotta keep the natural order of things. ;-) Thanks for your info, too!

undercoverrats · #6 04-05-2004, 09:56 AM

I know snakes have to eat...I just wish that we could find them a different food than rats. CongRATulations on the babies. I do handle my dwarf hampsters much earlier than two weeks, but the mommies do know me well, and are all very tame for dwarfs.

Where are you located? I might be able to help you find homes for the little ones. I am in Oregon,and often rehome ratties. I would love to see baby pics when they get their fur in good. I just love baby rattie pics.

undercoverrats · #7 04-05-2004, 09:57 AM

Of course now I see that you are in NJ, hehe. Can you tell I am still a newbie, lol. I can see if I can find you other sites that post baby rats looking for homes for you...I will send you a personal messege later if I can find them in your area.

#8 04-05-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverrats


	I think it would depend on the line. As with any animal inbreeding can be a dangerous thing...and yet so many of our little hamsters are. I have dwarfs. I came into them as a lady who bred them could no longer keep hers. I am sure she inbred hers. They seem to be just fine..no health issues as of yet. I would think that it would more likely be ok. I have a litter of new ones today. They are so cute. I wish that I could handle them as much as I do my ratty babies, but mommy dwarfs just are not keen on that, hehe. Marianne

Yes, the mother and father to the ones you have were brother and sister, so they are all inbred. She started with two hammies, brother and sister and all the babies were born to them. The one did have the tumour, but my three here are all doing well and I haven't seen any illness in any of them so far. *keeping fingers crossed* I won't be breeding mine simply for that reason (inbred) but I love to play with them.

Pickles and Hammy are both very tame, as you can see from my many pictures of them, hehe.

Just to clarify though, *I* was not the one who had to rehome them LOL. I rescued these guys from a lady I know who after not making enough money with them decided to place them. They made it to me, along with some of her rats. It was a very sad thing. Luckily Marianne was able to take some home with her, and I kept a mother and her two babies, which are now my Hammy and Pickles.

undercoverrats · #9 04-05-2004, 11:23 AM

Yep, I figured as much. I have picked up other hampsters for that reason, and the original black mommy is in a cage alone forever, not to ever be bred again...her nasy attitude also does not help.

#10 04-05-2004, 11:29 AM

Pepper is still a grump, but Hammy and Pickles are just fantastic! Pepper isn't nearly as bad as she used to be though. She has come a long way.

Killer1000101 · #11 04-07-2004, 01:00 PM

Well, unfortunately i'll have to be taking one of them to the vet. My djungarian (sp?) dwarfs are Tucker(male) and Flurry(female). I have a big rubbermaid type tote that i have accessorized with many play things and let them romp around individually in there every day. I've noticed the past couple of days that flurry is constantly scratching herself, even in mid stride or while doing something. I've checked her fur several times and i don't see any fleas. Tucker isn't scratching himself so i'm hoping it's something that's not contageous. I'm going to be searching for the vet who can get me the soonest appointment. Until then, does any one have any advice for what i can do in the meantime?

Back on the breeding subject... the hamsters are, worst case scenario, uncle and niece. So it's nowhere as close as brother and sister. Also, there's the possibility that they're not related at all, which i'm hoping is the case. While i'm at the vet, i'm going to ask for another opinion.

The ratties are all like 5 or 6 weeks now (i'd have to ask my boyfriend). They've been separated for like a week and a half now. All albino norways, too. There's one in particular, Monty, who likes to sit on my and kiss me and lick my lips when i eat or drink something. His nails are growing right with him, though, so now my chest is all scratched up. But, it's worth is just for the love! We're keeping him, along with another male and two females, AT LEAST. But, yeah, any help with finding them homes would be great and much appreciated.

Runt · #12 04-07-2004, 02:21 PM

What kind of bedding do you use.She could be alergic to the bedding or it could be mites.The vet will be able to tell for sure.

Quote:


	Back on the breeding subject... the hamsters are, worst case scenario, uncle and niece. So it's nowhere as close as brother and sister. Also, there's the possibility that they're not related at all, which i'm hoping is the case. While i'm at the vet, i'm going to ask for another opinion.

I still wouldn't agree to breeding them because they may be a chance they are related.You can be running a risk with breeding them together.Just my opinion and if you ask some of the bigger breeders through the hamster association I am sure they will tell you the same thing as I am.To me it just wouldn't be worth the chance of having problems with litters down the line.

Killer1000101 · #13 04-08-2004, 01:53 AM

To answer your first question, i use aspen for the bedding.

Second, i have a vet appt. for Friday morning, and i figured while i'm there i'll ask the vet his/her opinion on breeding them. I just figure that if i can breed them i won't have to buy a third hamster, you know? Not that i would mind, but it would just be more economical to use the two i already have. ;-)

Wendy · #14 04-08-2004, 09:15 AM

I wouldn't recommend breeding either... you state "there is a possibility" you obviously no nothing about the history of these hamsters and this alone, should throw out a warning bell - why risk it? Campbells dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes and this is said to be possibly inherited... there's one risk that should be avoided.

Of course, whether they're related or not, I'd still recommend you do not breed - if you want more hamsters why not adopt... help out a shelter maybe?

Killer1000101 · #15 04-08-2004, 03:35 PM

Actually, i DO know about the history of these hamsters. The pet store i got them both from breeds their own hamsters AND has them shipped in. My boyfriend bought my Flurry as a surprise, and she was from a litter from the pet store. Tucker was purchased 2 and a half weeks earlier, and at that time one of the hamsters he was with (not in the same tank) had recently had babies, and the mother was possibly Tucker's sister. I don't live at the pet store and i had just started going to that pet store, so i wasn't around to see who was related to who. That's why i know that there is a possibility that Flurry is Tucker's neice, but it's not a definite.

I'm not trying to sound "snotty" but i'm just getting the feeling from a couple of the replies here that i'm being attacked as if i am some sort of idiot that knows nothing about what i'm doing, so i feel i must defend myself. I have dwarf hamster books and i used to breed other kinds of small animals. I don't know why i keep getting attacked about wanting to breed hamsters on this site. All i did was inquire whether or not any one on this site knew anything about the genetics of hamsters regarding breeding. However, i would like to state that i am very appreciative of the information that i am receiving.