baby in cage

Question
QUESTION: my son picked his hamster and we did not know she was pregnant we got her a habitrail and she is not really that nice yet but on thursday 5/24 she had 10 babies in the top house will they fall down the tube and if they do will they die I have put the cage it a quiet room to be safe. and how can I make sure the babies get to be more social then mom
Thank you he just wants a nice friend

ANSWER: Hi Tina,

There is a possibility that the baby hamsters may fall down the tube, so you'll need to move them very, very carefully.  (When baby hamsters are touched by humans, the mother may reject them and stop feeding them.)  First, gather some bedding from the cage and rub it all over your hands (to remove your human scent).  Then, gently scoop the babies up and move them to the lowest level of the cage.  Move the mother right after you move the babies.  This is really the only safe way to move the babies.

Also, be sure to remove the wheel from the cage, as it can hurt the babies.  And, lower the water bottle so that the babies will be able to reach it.  When the babies are about a week old, begin scattering hamster food around the cage so they can start experimenting with it.

The most important thing is to *not touch* the babies until they are 2 weeks old.  Once they are 2 weeks old, then you can gently handle them for short periods of time.  You can also go ahead and clean the cage when they're 2 weeks old.

When the babies are 3 weeks old, they are fully weaned from their mother.  Move all of the babies to a separate cage, and let them live in this cage for another 3 weeks.  When the babies are 6 weeks old, they're ready to go to new homes.  If you have Syrian hamsters (the more common, larger hamster that comes in a variety of colors), you should give them away by themselves, as Syrian hamsters can't live together.  (If a new owner wants two hamsters, make sure he has 2 cages.)  If you have Dwarf hamsters (the smaller type of hamster that is either gray and white, or tannish-brown and white), you should give them away in same-sex pairs, since Dwarves are social.

By starting to handle the babies when they are 2 weeks old, you'll establish trust in humans, and they'll soon be friendly.  Since hamsters at the pet store aren't really handled all that much, it takes longer for them to begin trusting humans (which is why your mother hamster isn't very friendly yet).  Patience will be needed, since it takes some time to establish trust.

Have a great weekend, and good luck with your new arrivals!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :)

Kelly

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

QUESTION: Thank you I did move them and did not touch them at all I just moved the top of the house but she then panicked and ate at least one and of course I felt really bad but then she shoved them in her pouches and ran in circles then finally putting them in the ball so I secured the ball so she can not move it and i don't know how many are left I think I count at least 7 today they are 1 week and I was wondering when there eyes open and get hair we noticed that some have gotten dark skin and some still pink what does that mean thanks again my son is tinkled pink  

Answer
Hi Tina,

The babies will open their eyes when they are 14-16 days old.  They will also be covererd in short fur.

Hamsters come in many colors, so their skin tones vary.  The babies with light skin will most likely have light fur, and the babies with darker skin will have darker fur.

I'm glad they're doing well!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :)

Kelly