How to Breed Fancy Hamsters

Hamsters are adorable furry creatures that offer parents an alternative to more high- maintenance pets, such as dogs and cats. Much like mice, the hamster's sole purpose in life is to reproduce at a large rate. The average female fancy, or Syrian, hamster will birth a litter of anywhere from one to eight babies. The hamster can also become impregnated at two to three months of age. The gestation period of the fancy hamster is sixteen to eighteen days.

Things You'll Need

  • Male hamster
  • Female hamster
  • 2 cages
  • Stick
  • Work gloves
  • Tofu
  • Wheat germ
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the sexually mature female and male hamsters in separate cages. The female will require time to accept the male. Introduce the two by placing the female into the male's cage. If the female attempts to turn the male onto his back, she is not ready to mate. Continue to introduce the two until the female finally accepts the male.

    • 2

      Allow the hamsters to mate. The female heat cycle occurs every four days. The mating will occur when the female hamsters stops and lifts her tail to the male. He will mate with her. Keep a small stick and a pair of work gloves handy once the mating is over because there is a good chance the two hamsters will begin to nip at one another.

    • 3

      Place the female hamster back into her cage. Watch for signs that she has become impregnated. A few days after the mating, a pregnant female's belly will swell and she will have more pronounced nipples

    • 4

      Feed the pregnant hamster more food during the gestation period. Add foods that are high in protein to her diet, such as tofu and wheat germ.

    • 5

      Clean the female's cage approximately two weeks after conception. This will more than likely be the last time the cage will be clean for several weeks.

    • 6

      Allow the female hamster to nurse her young for three weeks. Avoid touching the babies or cleaning the cage. Any disturbance can cause the mother to reject her babies. This will lead to hamster cannibalism. During this time do not allow the father near the baby hamster as he may also attempt to eat them.

    • 7

      Remove the hamsters at three weeks and either place them into separate cages or attempt to sell them. Do not attempt to breed the female for two to three months. Give her a little time to recuperate before beginning the process all over again.