When you have a group of newly-born babies born naked, blind and deaf, do not panic.
The mother hamster would be there to take charge of the situation, as the course of nature lays out its
route... (literally)
^^ New! Click on Play button to listen to the babies' call! ^^ as promised... Click here OR press CTRL+F5 if you have problems viewing it.
Before Birth:
Ensure there is sufficient nesting material (toilet tissues is a good choice). Mother hamster
would take care of the rest by building up her "nest", cushioning things up comfortably for
the arrival of the babies.
Ensure a rich diet, with the presence of vitamins and lots of protein.
Avoid loud, sudden noises. Be gentle and careful when it comes to mother hamster, who would be
particularly wary during this period.
If possible, avoid handling mother hamster.
After Birth:
Litter size varies, mother hamster will know how many she's able to raise, so do not attempt to
remove any babies from the nest.
The babies are likely to be scattered around, do not attempt to pick them up and place them into
the nest. Mother hamster will do the job, eventually, after much resting (though a first-time
mother would seem clumsy at picking up her babies initially).
Never attempt to disturb the nest. Cases of cannibalism have been observed, particularly when mother
hamster senses of danger. It would rather "eat" the babies than to allow any harms to befall
on them. Other cases include mother hamster reducing the litter size (by eating up the
weaklings) due to insufficient food and/or water supplied, knowing that the food and water
supplies are insufficient to sustain the whole family.
Never attempt to stop mother hamster from eating cauls, afterbirth, or even the babies, she knows
what she is doing. Eating the afterbirth and all might sound disgusting to you, but it is a
good source of protein for her already weakened body. Click here to have a look.
Mother hamster would be extremely tired after giving birth, of course. Give her a break! Avoid
disturbing her and the babies.
Try to avoid cleaning the nest at the first 12 days of birth.
Having said that, you should still make sure the nest remains clean and dry. Cleaning will still
have to be carried out when necessary.
It is advisable not to clean/change the food & water supplies, nest, surrounding beddings all at
a time as the great number of differences in scent to that many properties of the cage might
proved to be too much to handle.
When it comes to cleaning the cage, it is best to have an empty container filled with beddings.
Transfer all the accessories, water bottle, food tray, wheel etc, and the entire nest (which
would probably be a cupboard box) with mother hamster and her babies to the new container.
Clean up the cage, take the nest, quick transfer of all the beddings and accessories to the
cage and place the nest back to the cage.
When it comes to changing and cleaning of food & water supply, simply take them out for cleaning
and refilling when mother hamster and the babies are all resting/sleeping in the cage.
When it comes to changing and cleaning the nest, make sure the mother and daddy hamsters are out
of the nest. This can be done by luring them out of the cage with the use of special treats.
Babies' Development:
Born naked, deaf, blind, dependent on mother hamster.
Week 1 :
Development of thin coat of fur, where colour markings start showing.
Colour Markings
Week 2:
Eyes open.
Week 3 and After:
Weaning around the 3rd/4th week.
(Ready to leave mother hamster, and the time where different genders/sexes should be separated at this time)
