dwarf hamsters has had babies

Question
QUESTION: i bought two russian dwarf hamsters from a pet store and was told they where the same sex. i have had them for two months. when i went to clean the cage out i put them in a seperate cage and one of them gave birth. i don't no what i have to do and if i should keep the male and female seperate. how many babies can they have at a time and how do i look after them after giving birth.

thanx very much

steven hunton

ANSWER: Hi Steven

I'm sorry to tell you but dwarf hamsters mate again the same day babies are born - so there is already a chance that the female is pregnant again! Whilst it is not definite that she is, they are very fertile at the time of giving birth, so you could find yourself with another litter in 18 - 21 days time. Is the male still in with her?  If so, then leave him with her for now providing they are getting along OK and get him and any male babies out of the cage at 18 days - they can all live together.  The females can remain with mum, and when/if she has a second litter, remove any males from that litter at 4 weeks.  Sometimes the first litter will squabble if there is a second litter, so you need to keep a close watch that there is no aggressive fighting that could endanger any  - if so, you'll have to consider separating out the girls from the first litter.  

If you have already separated out the male it is very difficult if not impossible to introduce him to another hamster, so he will probably need to live alone.

Dwarf hamster litters are relatively small compared to Syrians (can have up to 14), but they could still have 6 babies.

Don't over-feed them at all, especially if you think she could be pregnant again as you don't want any unborn babies getting too large for the mum - just give the usual amount of dry food, seeds, nuts and fresh food.  Obviously as the babies start to grow this needs to be increased accordingly.

Once they are a couple of weeks old, start handling them as much as possible - only a few minutes at a time initially, then increase this.

If you separate out the boys and dad at 18 days increase their food allowance - you can give human baby food (use the powdered variety and mix with water NOT milk).  This will give them some extra nutrients that they would otherwise have got from mum.

Please let me know if you need any more help with this.

Regards

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i took the male out then relised she was givin birth and havent put him back in since. should i still put the male ones in with him i was concerned he would eat the babies and he doesn't seem happy since he was seperated.

Answer
When did you separate him?  The problem is that once separated they will fight if re-introduced, unless it happens within a day or two - even then there is no guarantee.  Usually the male is OK with the babies and helps raise them.

If you are able to reintroduce him, I would suggest you start by putting some of his bedding in with the female and some of her bedding in with him. This way they will be able to smell each other.  If the cage is large enough you could try dividing it with chickenwire or similar and putting him in one side of it - again so that they can smell each other first, before actually letting them meet face to face.  Any sign of aggression, I suggest you get him out immediately.

If he has been away from them for too long, then you may find he needs to live alone.  Because it is so hard to introduce dwarf hamsters, I often end up with all the ones in single cages - they adapt to being alone, and usually get on fine - they just need plenty of toys and tubes etc. to occupy their time, and a wheel.  Even if you are successful and re-introduce them now, there is never any guarantee that he will be OK with any boys in the litter - sometimes dwarf hamsters fight and need separating anyway.

Regards