How do hamsters reproduce at home and how to breed them?

When breeding hamsters, the following main factors need to be taken into account:

• hamsters kept together do not get along very well, so the male and female should live in separate cages, they need to be brought together on neutral territory, and under the supervision of the owner. An exception to this rule is Roborovsky's hamsters;
• at the time of the first mating, both the female and the male must be at least four months old;
• after the next birth, the female must have at least two months before the next mating;
• A female older than one year cannot be bred.

Sexual characteristics of domestic rodents

For the mating process to be successful and effective, you will need a male and a female. There were incidents when the owners tried to bring two girls or boys together. Naturally, such pimping did not bear fruit. Therefore, first, determine the sex of the individuals selected for reproduction.

In the case of adult animals, this is not difficult to do, because the male most often has healthy testicles! But if you buy young animals, hoping to further breed Djungarian, Syrian (or any other breeds) of hamsters at home, carefully examine their tummy.

1. Signs of a female: the body is slightly larger than that of boys; The genital opening is located under the tail next to the anus.
2. Signs of a male: the body is slightly smaller, the distance from the anus to the genitals is significant; starting from 2-3 months of age, eggs begin to appear clearly.

Although sexual dimorphism is expressed in the size of animals, you should not rely on this feature. After all, rodents from different litters can live in a pet store; they have different ages and different degrees of fatness. Therefore, estimate the distance between the holes.

The photo shows a female:

Keeping hamsters of different sexes before mating: together or separately

Before mating, hamsters must be kept separately , otherwise they may breed too often. This situation can cause weakening of the female’s body and the birth of weak offspring. Therefore, mating of hamsters for reproduction should be carried out as planned.

When forming breeding pairs, the following should be considered:

• a large female cannot be mated with a small male, she can behave aggressively and harm him;
• a small female is not mated with a large male, since the offspring can take on the size of the father, and she will have problems giving birth to such large babies;
• you should not bring relatives together, as they may give birth to unhealthy offspring burdened with genetic abnormalities;
• you should not breed aggressive individuals - such behavior can be genetically determined and inherited;
• fatty individuals should not be combined. First, you need to review their diet and switch them to lighter foods containing less fat and carbohydrates and more vitamins in order for them to lose excess weight. Hamsters that are too fat are often infertile, and your efforts to breed them will be in vain.

Important! Many people keep hamsters in pairs, and this is wrong. These rodents are solitary by nature and do not respond very well to proximity. Same-sex individuals may begin to fight for territory, which may lead to the death of one of them.

When a male and female hamster live together in a cage, mating occurs during the female's estrus period. In this case, the hamster may experience lactation and pregnancy at the same time, which greatly weakens her health.

Reproduction statistics

Every owner should understand that breeding hamsters at home is a responsible process. It cannot be carried out at random, and the offspring that appears 3 weeks after birth will have to be accommodated. Many owners are simply shocked by the fertility of these small rodents!

Here are interesting facts about the mating of Djungarian hamsters, expressed in numbers:

• 3 weeks – age of puberty of dzhungarikas;
• 5 minutes is the average duration of sexual intercourse;
• 21 days is the optimal period for bearing offspring;
• A female can give birth to 18 babies in one litter (but more often 5-9);
• The girl rests for 7 days after giving birth, and then she is ready to become pregnant again.

As you can see, khomas begin to ripen very early. But if early mating is not at all harmful for the male, then an incompletely formed hamster may die during early pregnancy. Therefore, the optimal age for breeding Djungarian hamsters is 3 months. The maturation and gestation periods for Roborovsky hamsters are the same, but the offspring are slightly smaller: 3-9 hamsters.

Syrian hamsters also reproduce interestingly. The female shows interest in mating only during the period of estrus, and the male, like a true gentleman, is constantly interested in girls. The Syrian hamster bears its offspring for an average of 18 days. Sometimes this period lasts up to 3 weeks. Syrian hamsters are born in numbers from 5 to 15 pieces.

Pregnancy and birth of hamsters

A hamster's pregnancy lasts on average only 14-19 days, while in Djungarian hamsters the pregnancy can last up to 30 days. On the tenth day, visible signs of pregnancy appear, and it is from this moment that the expectant mother’s weight begins to rapidly increase. If the female's weight decreases during pregnancy, this may indicate illness or death of the embryos inside the womb.

Approximate duration of pregnancy for:

• Syrian hamsters and Roborovsky hamsters – 16-17 days;
• Campbell's hamsters and Siberian hamsters - 19-20 days.

Expectant mothers move very carefully, trying not to make sudden movements. Do not disturb a pregnant female unless absolutely necessary! Include more protein in her diet (this could be egg whites, cheese, cottage cheese, baby meat food, etc.).

3 days before giving birth, the female’s thirst increases. During this time, the water should be changed at least 3-4 times a day.

Labor usually begins at night. Set up a house or nest in the cage in advance (you can use a cardboard box). The hamster arranges everything inside the nest herself, just don’t forget to provide her with soft paper, napkins and hay. The cage where the hamster will give birth should be in a quiet and peaceful place.

Usually the pet copes well with the birthing process on its own, and in the morning the owners discover a new baby. Hamsters are born in a shell, the mother gnaws it in the area of ​​the baby's head, and the baby takes its first breath. Each hamster litter can have anywhere from four to eighteen babies. Babies are born completely helpless, deaf, blind, tiny, their skin is thin and red. The only thing that babies have perfectly developed is the ability to distinguish smells.

Experienced breeders and veterinarians can help with the birthing process when a female is giving birth for the first time or when a large number of babies are being born.

But there are times when during the birth process the help of a veterinarian is necessary, namely:

• if, with obvious contractions and pushing after 15 minutes, there are no results
• After the birth of the first baby, after 30 minutes, the remaining babies are not born.

Within 30 min. After giving birth, a healthy mother will definitely eat before starting to feed her babies. Refusal to eat may mean the occurrence of any postpartum complications. The vaginal membrane closes in the first two days after birth, and at this time you may notice slight bleeding from the birth canal.

The first time a hamster usually gives birth to 4-5 babies, subsequent litters can include many more babies.

Choosing a partner

You already know at what age jungariks and other animals will reproduce best. If you have one Homa living with you, it’s time to choose a mate for him.

1. Firstly, the partner must be the same breed as your pet. That is, a Djungarian hamster must mate with a Djungarian hamster, and a girl Syrian hamster must mate with a Syrian, etc. Interbreeding of hamsters at home rarely brings results.
2. Secondly, the partner must be of the opposite sex. And you already know how to determine the gender of rodents.
3. Thirdly, both animals must be healthy, free from external pathologies and infectious diseases, so as not to give them to future babies.
4. Fourth, choose a partner who is similar in appearance to the female. This will increase the chances of producing a pure line of hamsters (line breeding).
5. Fifth, try to avoid inbreeding, when hamsters that are siblings, parents and children mate. Such crossing will increase the chance of pathologies and deformities in the offspring.

The couple must not only match in appearance, the male and female must like each other. Choose a time when both animals are active, fed and happy. This will increase the chance of having intercourse “on the first date.”

When can baby hamsters be separated from their mother?

You can separate offspring from a hamster from the 3-4th week of life. At 28 days, the cubs do not need a mother, and also already have the ability to reproduce. Therefore, they are separated to prevent early pregnancy and the occurrence of aggression on the part of the mother. But if the cubs were born weak and very small, they can be kept with the hamster for up to 5 weeks, but no more.

Babies are not distributed immediately after separation from their mother. Females are separated from males and placed in different cages, which have everything necessary for keeping hamsters - drinking bowls, feeders, bedding, houses, etc.

Rodents that can be kept as pets include rats, squirrels, degus, chipmunks, guinea pigs, gerbils, jerboas, prairie dogs, and dormouse.

Hamsters can be given away at the age of 1.5-2 months. They try to give away hamsters a little earlier, since already at seven weeks the fight for territory begins, and each hamster needs a separate home. When transferring hamsters to a new owner, it is advisable to give some of the filler that has already been used and food for the first time. The familiar smell and food will reduce the stress of changing your place of residence.

Calculating the time of mating

The Djungarian hamster, Syrian and representatives of other breeds are crepuscular animals, which is why they prefer to breed at night. But not only the daily rhythms of these animals are important, but also the individual cycles of the female. While the furry Don Juan is ready to mate any day, the female shows sexual activity only during estrus.

Breeding hamsters at home depends on how correctly you calculate the time to introduce the male. But this is not easy to do, you have to seize the moment, because the female’s readiness lasts only 4-12 hours, and after that there is a break for 3-5 days. Typically, estrus begins in the evening, so you only have one night to mate your hamsters.

Here are the signs by which you can determine when a female is in heat:

• the pet becomes too active;
• small mucous discharge appears under the tail;
• often the mucus has a peculiar smell that attracts males;
• the hamster tries to bend her back, spreading her paws, while her butt and tail lift up a little;
• The female reacts loyally to the approach of the male.

Syrian hamsters very clearly display all of the listed signs, but girls of the Djungarian breed are more modest, so it is much more difficult to determine when they are in heat.

Puberty of Djungarian hamsters

Djungarian hamsters are ready to breed at one month of age. At this time, the female begins her first heat, and she can already become pregnant. However, early childbirth can be harmful to her health. Firstly, the hamster’s body is not yet strong and it is possible that complications will arise during pregnancy or childbirth.

A month-old female is not ready for reproduction for another reason - she has not yet developed maternal instinct. Because of this, the rodent may eat its newborn babies or refuse to feed them.

It is recommended to start breeding Djungarian hamsters when they are at least 3-5 months old. But you should not postpone the first mating for a long time - with age, the female loses her ability to reproduce.

The suitable age for breeding dzhungarikas is 4-10 months.

As the year approaches, the female's health deteriorates. It is becoming increasingly difficult for her to become pregnant, carry her to term and give birth to healthy babies.

Choosing a place to mate

For the breeding of hamsters to produce results, the couple in love must be left alone. The owners will only disturb the animals and distract them from their work. Many are worried that the boy and girl will not understand why they were put together. But this is stupid! In the wild, animals somehow find each other on their own and calmly reproduce. So why shouldn’t small pets cope on their own, because no one has canceled their instincts!

First, you need to find a cozy corner in your home where there will be no drafts, noise and threats in the form of curious pets. The marriage bed is placed there. It is best to keep hamsters not in a cage, where there are a lot of distractions (a wheel, other toys, food), but in a separate box made of thick cardboard or plastic. But it should be spacious enough, don’t forget to add filler. If you have a spare cage, that will work too.

So, you need to place two hamsters, a boy and a girl, in a love nest. At first, you can watch your pets and see how they get to know each other. If the hamster reacted favorably to the appearance of the gentleman, then move the box with the pets to where no one will disturb them. This is how hamsters of all breeds are reproduced.

The photo shows how the Dzungarians look closely at each other.

Arrangement of the cage

The monastery should be quite spacious; sawdust, odorless corn and wood filler, coarse sand should be placed at the bottom, but cotton wool and shreds should not be placed in the cage. A shelter is required (it can be a wooden house or an upside-down clay pot with a hole). You can train rodents to go to the litter tray - there are even special toilets with litter on sale. The sooner you start training, the greater the likelihood of success; it is almost impossible to retrain an adult.

To prevent the animal from getting bored, it would be good to purchase climbing tubes, build “minks”, ladders, a wheel is also useful for hamsters, but it should not be mesh or slippery. It is better to choose an adjustable, drip-type drinking bowl, since hamsters like to turn the drinking bowl over or splash water out of it. The feeder must be securely attached to the grate or be heavy so that the animal cannot turn it over.

Can you imagine a hamster without a pantry? – In some part of the cage, your pet will definitely equip itself with storage, where it will hide part of the food “in reserve.” When cleaning the cage, be extremely careful and do not take away the hidden food, otherwise the animal will be really stressed.

Sexual intercourse in hamsters

It is not customary for domestic rodents to have long foreplay; usually, after a short introduction and sniffing, they immediately get down to business. And why wait, because their life is so short!

So, you left your pets alone in a secluded place. If the female is completely ready for mating, then the male piles on top of her and hugs his girlfriend around the waist with his tiny paws. The submissive bride does not object, she leads the seed quietly and meekly, but Don Juan is very active! The mating process for representatives of the Dzungarian breed and other dwarfs lasts no more than 5 minutes; Syrians usually inseminate a hamster longer.

If a couple consists of a very calm girl and a small active boy, they may have intercourse several times throughout the night. In such cases, in the morning the male falls exhausted. Such a vigorous sex life can undermine the health of a hamster and even temporarily drive it into stupor.

In the photo, Roborovsky’s gentleman hugged his chosen one:

Sometimes problems arise during or before sexual intercourse. You need to know when it is better to place a couple in different cages.

Contraception methods

The high fertility of small rodents can cause a lot of trouble for their owners.
High fertility causes a lot of problems for the owners of cute animals. The only way to protect against unwanted offspring is to seat girls and boys in separate cages.

There are no birth control pills available, and veterinarians do not sterilize hamsters. They can do this only for medical reasons, for example, a tumor is discovered in a hamster.

The only method of contraception is keeping pets apart.

When to place rodents?

The sudden appearance of a cat next to hamsters preparing to mate, or an unexpected sharp sound can drive the animals into severe stress. They are capable of not only abandoning the task assigned to them, but also starting to fight. The mood of those getting married changes very quickly, regardless of their type. Fights can be so serious that one of the animals is severely injured or killed. Usually the strongest blows go to the male.

The following describes situations in which it is better to postpone mating of hamsters until better times:

1. The girl initially did not like the male. In this case, you need to introduce the hamsters gradually or choose another boyfriend for your pet.
2. The girl is not ready. If the hamster is not currently in heat, she will react especially aggressively to a furry man who appears nearby. Be sure that the lady will use not only her claws, but also her teeth. In such a situation, it is necessary to urgently remove the Djungarian boy and wait for the moment of estrus.
3. Sudden fear. Due to stress, both hamsters can simply go wild and start fighting. In this case, their separation is necessary.
4. The process is over. Not all hamsters, unlike individuals of the opposite sex, are ready to copulate all night. When the female decides that she has had enough, she will become restless and begin to show bouts of aggression. In this case, the partner should also be removed.

Sometimes hamsters can be left alone for half an hour to do their simple task. But you can leave only if the pets have established contact and they treat each other favorably. Still, it’s better to be nearby in case of a hamster force majeure. Usually the gentleman manages to inseminate the female within half an hour, then he can be separated.

By the way, some rodents have no complexes at all: they manage to mate in the presence of their owners, almost sitting in their arms!

In the photo copulating Syrians:

Hygiene procedures

If the hamster has long hair, it needs to be brushed regularly, paying special attention to the hind legs and tummy - mats can form there. Short-haired rodents have their fur cleaned with a dampened soft brush. It is recommended to bathe pets only in case of severe contamination and using a special shampoo.

To prevent hamsters from having problems with teeth, there should be branches of fruit trees and rubber toys in the cage. You need to include solid food in the diet - this way the incisors will grind down in time and will not cause any disturbance to the animal. Overgrown teeth will have to be filed down at a veterinary clinic. The claws are trimmed mainly in sedentary and old individuals; in young and active hamsters they are ground down themselves.

Cheerful and cute hamsters will give you a lot of positive emotions and will become your favorite pets!

Determining pregnancy

Not everyone knows how to determine whether a pet is pregnant or not. The fact of conception is usually established 10 days after mating, since in the early stages there are practically no external signs.

Here are the symptoms of pregnancy in a hamster:

• the tummy increases in size (sometimes this is not noticeable due to the luxurious fur);
• nipples swell;
• the hamster’s behavior becomes abnormal: too aggressive or atypically affectionate;
• appetite increases;
• the desire to stockpile increases;
• the female approaches the running wheel less often.

All these signs indicate that there will soon be a new addition to the hamster family.

Is it possible to castrate hamsters

Frequent estrus does not particularly bother the hamsters themselves and their owners, so there is no point in sterilizing the rodent . In addition, due to the small size of the animal and poor perception of anesthesia, this procedure is practically not used.

But if there are indications for castration of hamsters - tumor of the testis, pyometra, tumor of the uterus, then it is necessary to find out which veterinary clinic performs sterilization and carry out this procedure.

Did you know? There are 12 species of hamsters living in the wild in Russia. All of them are carriers of 30 infectious diseases, some of which can be fatal to humans. So the bite of wild animals is dangerous to health.

How does childbirth occur?

Usually the female gives birth in a squatting position or on her side. Depending on the number of cubs, birth lasts from 1 to 2 hours, that is, quite quickly. The interval between newborns coming out is about 15 minutes. The hamster chews the membranes, uses its teeth to cut off the umbilical cord. She eats the membranes and placenta.

If you took good care of your pet and fed it properly during pregnancy, then childbirth will be easy. But there are also some complications in which the hamster can die or give birth to non-viable offspring. In such a situation, only a doctor can help, and not always.

Newborn animals are bald and helpless. Because of this, their mother has to take care of them. She builds a comfortable nest for them and begins to feed them milk.

Complications during childbirth

Complications can often occur during pregnancy, childbirth and afterward.

Toxicosis

Females experience toxicosis in the last days of pregnancy. There is no cure for this condition, but the consequences can be serious: the female and her cubs die during or after childbirth.

Death of fetuses in the uterus

If a mother gives birth to still babies, it means they died in the womb. This occurs due to poor nutrition, infections, age and physiological characteristics. If after this you do not undergo surgery to remove the uterus, the hamster will subsequently die from blood poisoning.

Pathology of childbirth

If labor is protracted, you should immediately consult a doctor. This situation occurs due to the age of females, whose pelvic bones become inelastic over time, due to the large size of the fetus.

Endometritis

The disease causes inflammation of the uterus, characterized by bleeding that lasts more than three days.

A few words about the kids

Newborn hamsters develop quickly and learn about the world. But for the first week they do not leave the nest at all, feeding on the milk of their furry mother. Breastfeeding lasts from birth to 3 weeks. During this period, it is better not to touch the animals, because a hamster may lose milk due to stress, and an angry mother in labor may abandon her babies altogether. In this case, you will have to feed the hamster offspring yourself, and many of the babies will die.

To prevent this problem from arising, provide the family with peace for the first 2 weeks. The bedding is also not changed during this period, but only a little food is added. At one week of age, babies begin to crawl blindly around the cage. And already at the age of 2 weeks they open their eyes. Around this period, complementary foods consisting of low-fat yogurt and peeled seeds should be introduced.

At 3 weeks, babies are already covered with thick fluff and can eat on their own. This means that it is time to remove them from their mother. Watch the babies for another week, and already at the age of 1 month you can give the miniature animals to new owners.

If you decide to keep the kids for further breeding, then at the same age determine their gender and place the boys and girls in different cages. This precaution will not allow the reproduction of small rodents to take its course.

There are many nuances in the reproduction of hamsters. You need to remember that mating of animals must be timely, voluntary and safe for both participants. At the slightest sign of aggression, separate the animals from each other! An important aspect of reproduction is the gestation period. In this position, the pet needs absolute rest and increased nutrition.

Caring for the female and offspring

Even experienced owners were not always able to see newborn jungarians. They are born weighing no more than 2 grams, completely naked, with pink thin skin and closed eyes. The body length of a newborn hamster is comparable to the phalanx of a finger. Defenseless babies are completely dependent on their mother. They don't see or hear anything, but they find nipples by smell, so they must be close to the hamster.

Only the female needs care and maintenance. She takes care of her children on her own. Moreover, newborn rodents should not be touched with hands until their eyes open. If a foreign smell remains on the babies, the hamster will refuse them.

After giving birth, it is better not to disturb the new mother and her babies at all. You just need to provide it with a varied diet and make sure that the Djungarian hamsters do not fall out of the nest. If this happens, the baby will die, so he must be placed with his mother.

You can only handle a newborn dwarf with gloves or a napkin.

Small Djungarian hamsters grow very quickly. Already on the fifth day they develop hearing, soft fluff grows on their body, and after 12-14 days their eyes open. From this time on, the owner must begin to accustom them to handling. By the age of one month, the young animals become sexually mature and capable of reproduction.

For this reason, it is necessary to separate the males from the females. After 2-3 weeks, Djungarian hamsters are given to new owners.

Matching

When breeding Syrian hamsters, the correct selection of a pair is important.

To do this, you must follow the following rules:

• select only healthy animals;
• bring together individuals of the same breed;
• avoid inbreeding;
• do not allow animals that suffer from obesity to mate;
• choose hamsters with a friendly disposition.

Important! If hamsters begin to show aggression towards each other, then they should be seated immediately.

Mating of Syrian hamsters is best done on neutral territory, where the animals will not defend the right to ownership. You can also place the female in the cage with the male. This will prevent the female from showing excessive hostility, and the male will calmly approach her to mate.

How many times a year do hamsters give birth?

In nature, a hamster gives birth to about 4 litters per year. Rodents living in their natural environment reproduce only in the warm season. Pets are always in favorable conditions, so they can give birth more often.

The hamster is ready to breed the very next day after giving birth. If the male is nearby, mating will occur and she will become pregnant again. However, frequent childbirth greatly depletes the female’s body. Therefore, rodentologists recommend keeping individuals of different sexes separately.

According to experts, the minimum interval between births should be 2.5-3 months.

How do Syrian hamsters reproduce at home?

Caring for a hamster is very simple, even children can handle it. You just need to explain all the nuances of feeding and care. Breeding Syrian hamsters at home requires responsibility and care.

Room equipment

It is necessary to choose a place to place the cage so that it is spacious, away from noise and dust. The cage should be located away from direct sunlight. It is necessary to frequently ventilate the room, but at the same time strictly avoid drafts.

In order for the reproduction of Syrian hamsters to be successful, it is necessary to prepare several cages:

A large and spacious cage where the female will be with her offspring after giving birth. In this cage you need to equip a queen cell where the birth will take place. You need to add a small layer of sawdust to the bottom. It is extremely necessary to arrange an active area so that there is a place where kids can frolic. The spinning wheel, rungs and ladders are perfect for outdoor activities. Cage or box for mating. Here you can get by with a small box; it needs to be free of distracting objects (wheels, ladders). You can add sawdust or special filler to the bottom.

It is important to place the box where it is out of reach of children, dogs and other pets. An additional cage where, if necessary, the Syrian hamster can be placed in case of any aggression from other animals.

Purchasing rodents

A lot depends on the choice of partner for mating. Breeding Syrian hamsters is a responsible matter and must be taken seriously so as not to endanger the lives of the entire Syrian hamster family. A pair of the opposite sex should be selected the same as your pet. Hamsters should not be closely related to each other, otherwise brother and sister may produce weak offspring with signs of pathology and physical inferiority.

It is important to be able to distinguish a male Syrian hamster from a female. Only healthy rodents without diseases or transmittable infections are allowed for mating

The coat of the purchased animal should be shiny, thick and without bald spots. The eyes and nose should be clean and free of discharge

It is also worth paying attention to the emotional state of the hamster. In a normal state, the animal behaves actively, showing interest in everything new, without being afraid of an outstretched hand

However, too energetic behavior of an animal should alert you, as well as too apathetic behavior.

To give your pet time to get used to a new territory, you need to buy a Syrian hamster at a young age. After purchasing a partner, hamsters should be kept separately from each other so as not to suffer as a result of aggression from the partner. Mostly females show aggression, not allowing the male to approach them. They are favorable to their partner only during estrus, which lasts 3-4 days.

Syrian hamster: reproduction

Syrian hamsters reach sexual maturity when they are between 1 and 2.5 months old. But at this age it is not recommended to mate, since the delayed physical development of the female can negatively affect the bearing and feeding of offspring. The female may not have enough milk for large offspring. Therefore, it is worth involving a female in breeding for the first time no earlier than when she reaches three months of age. If your first birth occurs after she is six months old, there is a risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. The male is capable of healthy fertilization at the age of 3 months to one and a half years.

Before mating begins, you need to find out when the female is in heat; it is on such days that you can place a male with her. The main signs of estrus in a female Syrian hamster are similar to other animals. She becomes more active than usual and can stand up, arching her back and spreading her paws. Under the tail you can notice a mucous discharge with a pungent odor. Syrian hamsters are nocturnal animals; they are active mainly at night, including mating. Estrus can begin in the evening and last until the morning. It is necessary not to miss this moment and place a male with her. The next chance will be only in 4-5 days

If you are sure that the right moment has come right now, you need to carefully bring the male to the female. After sniffing each other, the girl can stand up, thereby showing her consent

Now you need to leave the couple in a quiet, calm place for the duration of mating and not disturb them. Half an hour will be enough for conception; during this time you need to be careful and, if the female becomes aggressive, immediately isolate the male from her. There have been cases when a female bit her partner to death.