dwarfs russian

Question
hi i have a 4-6 month old Russian dwarf and he is a boy i want to add a female so they can breed would they fight or not and the female is about 2 month old also how would i introduce them???

Thank You!

Answer
Hi Alex,

Firstly please make sure that they are not related in any way.

And please make sure you have good homes for them to go to.

When introducing two Roborovskis it is best for the Male to be the oldest as they are not as territorial.  So thats a good start anyway.

You must have a clean cage - completely disinfected and then washed out again so there is no trace of either hamster in it.

The bigger the cage the better - the best home for a roborovski is a large glass fish tank as it is impossible for them to escape as there are no bars.  Even thoogh they are the smallest hamsters it does not mean they need a small home!

In the clean cage put a thick layer of sawdust but nothing else.  No toys, no wheels, nothing.  Make sure you put two water bottles in and make sure you put in two large piles of hamster food - it is best not to use dishes as it is easy for the hamsters to become possesive over a dish.

Place the Male in the cage first and leave him for 5 or 10 minutes - no longer!  then place the female in.

Watch them closeley for as long as possible - it is best to stay in and watch them all day if possible!

There might be some little fights or they may roll each other over and sniff each others staomachs but there shouldnt be much noise - if there is then it should only be for a few minutes.

If there is any violence such as biting or squeeling thatlasts for longer than the first few minutes then you must seperate them and try again about an hour later.

I have never had any problems introducing two Roborovskis using my method above so please follow it carefully and they should be fine.

If they get along after the first day or two then you can slowly start introducing toys and tunnels but always try to introduce two at time - two tunnels, two cardboard tubes etc. and make sure you put in two wheels, this way there will be less chance of fighting.

I hope i have been helpful and please get back to me and tell me how you get on - also please let me know if you need any more information.

Females come into heat every 4 days and then it takes between 22 and 30 days for the female to give birth.

I just thought i'd let you know so you have an idea when to expect the babies!

Please do not disturb the parents or the babies until at least two weeks after the birth!

You can leave the Father in with the babies as he will be a big help but it does mean that the female will become pregnant again between 22 and 30 days after the day she gives birth, because the female comes into heat for a few hours on the day she has given birth.

Please keep me posted.

Regards,

Tammy