How to Breed Hamsters

The desire to breed hamsters comes from a strong interest in making a living by selling them or entering them in pet shows. Following the basic steps to breeding hamsters is the key to a successful business or winning first prize at the next pet show. Apply these steps to ensure healthy, beautiful, desirable and trophy hamsters.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find a buyer for your hamsters if you want to breed for money. Most pet shops already have a supplier but you may find one that is looking for a new breeder.

2. Start with healthy hamsters. Start with healthy, beautiful and desirable mother and father, to ensure that the offspring will also be healthy. Be very selective when you purchase your mother and father.

3. Breed the mother when she is older than four months. If you do it too early, the too-young hamster may kill her brood.

4. Watch your mother hamster after mating because she will give birth in about three weeks.

5. Remove the litter from the mother in four weeks after birth for her sanity sake.

6. Keep the breeding of your hamsters to the same breed if you are strictly raising hamsters for sale and show. If not, then make sure you just don't breed the brother and sister together. Strange, unhealthy births occur with brothers and sisters. Other combinations are fine.

Tips & Warnings

• On the average, five to 10 babies are produced from one mating.
• The average life span of a hamster is three years.
• Once hamsters bond, they stay together for life.
• Fathers take part in caring for their offspring.
• Mother hamsters mate again in 24 hours after giving birth.
• Realize you will need to have cages, food and organization in breeding hamsters. They multiply very quickly which can be overwhelming, so be prepared for busy times.

Resources

• Hamster House for More Information
• Information About Pet Breeding