Please note that HH does not encourage deliberate breeding of hamsters. This section is to be used only for answering questions relating to accidental breeding of hamsters and how to cope with the situation. Any discussion of or questions about intentional breeding are not allowed and will be removed.
The above is forum policy regarding intentional breeding. But why is this policy in place?
It's not that breeding is bad. Without breeding, there would be no hamsters. However, we believe that breeding is something that needs to be taken very seriously, and we want our forum values to reflect that.
We do not teach people how to breed (even properly), because we cannot control whose hands that information falls into. Hamster Hideout is a public forum. Both members and non-members of all life situations can view anything posted here. We do not want to be responsible for someone unprepared trying to breed their hamsters because they "learned how from Hamster Hideout." We simply do not want that liability.
It takes a very particular set of skills and knowledge to responsibly breed hamsters. It is not something the average hamster owner should be attempting. To responsibly breed hamsters, a person MUST have ALL of the following traits:
An extremely strong understanding of hamster husbandry (behavior, diet, health)
A person should be a hamster expert before even attempting to breed. This means being very comfortable with all aspects of hamster care. They need to understand what kinds of behavior are and are not normal, because this will help them to recognize a sick animal. They need to have an excellent understanding of diet and nutrition, as these topics are very important for pregnant and nursing mothers. They must be comfortable with difficult aspects of hamster care - handling skittish / aggressive hamsters, scruffing, trimming nails, checking teeth, giving medicine, and other such tasks.
A strong understanding of genetics (both basic genetics and hamster-specific genetics)
Genetics are critical to breeding. Responsible breeders breed with the aim of bettering the species and producing healthy, hearty animals. You have to understand what types of crosses are dangerous or inadvisable and identify individuals that shouldn't be bred. For example, breeding two hamsters with the "white bellied" gene can result in pups known as anophthalmic whites. (Note that a hamster can have this gene without physically having a white belly). These pups are born with no eyes, and often have other significant health issues and reduced lifespans. And that's just one example of what can go wrong. Breeding without thought to genetics is careless, irresponsible, and selfish.
The ability to get quality stock animals from a reputable hamster breeder
This goes along with genetics. Hamsters from pet shops or rescues should generally not be bred, because they come from unknown lineages. There is no way of knowing if that hamster has some underlying genetic issue it could pass onto its offspring. Reputable breeders often travel for hours to get quality stock animals from other breeders. Not willing to put in that kind of effort? Reconsider breeding.
A reliable source of income
Keeping hamsters costs money. Breeding costs even more, because by default there will be more hamsters produced. A breeder also need to be prepared to keep pups in the event they cannot find homes for them. That means having multiple cages, wheels, and other equipment. Breeding isn't something that's going to be manageable on an allowance or even a very limited part-time job.
Ready access to a quality exotic vet
Vet care is mandatory for hamsters. If someone cannot take your hamster to a vet, they cannot breed. If they cannot afford anything other than a basic checkup, they cannot breed. Pregnancy and birth can be dangerous times for a female, and vet care may be the difference between life and death of mother and litter. Breeding without vet care available is cruel and irresponsible.
Excellent recordkeeping and organizational skills
Responsible breeders keep detailed records of their litters. Keeping track of dates, weight gain of the mother, growth and development of the pups...it's a lot of paperwork. It's a lot more complicated than just sticking hamsters together and letting them mate.
Breeding is not a game. It is something that should be taken very seriously. Failing to do so can result in suffering and death. If a person cannot fulfill all of the above qualities, they cannot be a responsible breeder.
Edited by Taxonomist, 21 September 2015 - 12:54 AM.
I agree with ChibiHamsters, it is upsetting to see how many people breed their hamster without the proper knowledge. It is comforting, though, to know that there are people who take the time and care to safely breed hamsters.
