Here’s a detailed guide to hamster mating, covering key steps and precautions:
I. Pre-Mating Preparations
Age Selection
- Male hamsters: 8 weeks to 8 months old; female hamsters: 6 weeks to 7 months old. Weight difference should be within 20g.
- Avoid inbreeding. For golden hamsters, note mating taboos for white-bellied or long-haired varieties.
Environment Setup
- Use a new cage and let the male adapt for 1–3 days to establish territory.
- Line the breeding box with soft bedding and keep the environment quiet and dim.
Health Check
- Supplement nutrition 1 week in advance (boiled egg whites, minced chicken breast, etc.).
- Confirm the female’s vaginal opening is swollen and wrinkled (a sign of heat).
II. Mating Process
First Contact
- Place the two cages adjacent for 2–3 days to let them get used to each other’s scents.
- When introducing them, put the female into the male’s cage (to prevent the female from attacking).
Behavior Observation
- Success signals: The female raises her tail and stays still; the male falls over and twitches after mating.
- Mating typically occurs between 16:00–18:00 and lasts seconds to minutes.
Post-Mating Care
- Separate them immediately to prevent fighting. House the pregnant female alone.
- Confirm pregnancy via a vaginal smear test for sperm.
III. Precautions
Breed Matching
- Pudding female hamsters are prone to dystocia. Breeding two Silver Fox hamsters may cause genetic defects.
Frequency Control
- The lactation period is 20–25 days. Females should have no more than 3 litters per year.
Emergency Handling
- If they fight aggressively, gently tap their heads with chopsticks to intervene.
Mating success correlates with frequency—repeat the process for 3 consecutive days. During pregnancy, maintain a high-protein diet and clean the cage regularly.