How Do Hamsters Reproduce? A Detailed Explanation of the Breeding Method and the Whole Process
How do hamsters reproduce? Hamsters have very short lifespans, about 2 years on average. Generally, hamsters have reproductive capacity at 40 days old, but the suitable age for breeding female hamsters is 3-4 months old. Please also do not breed hamsters after they are 1 year old. When male and female hamsters are kept together, they will mate shortly after, but not every mating results in pregnancy. When a male hamster is in heat, its testicles will enlarge, and when a female hamster is ready to mate, she will raise her tail and stay still. After the male hamster sniffs the female hamster's rear, mating will begin.
1. Long-term cohabitation method
Also known as the frequent breeding method, this method is relatively simple in management and can reduce the chance of disease transmission. One male hamster is housed together with one female hamster. Within a few hours after the female hamster gives birth, mating and conception can occur again. Under normal circumstances, each female hamster can produce 1 litter per month. This makes full use of the hamsters' reproductive capacity (especially the female hamster's postpartum estrus). Because the female hamster is burdened too heavily by being pregnant while nursing, attention should be paid to strengthening nutrition.
2. Regular cohabitation method
Also known as the non-frequent breeding method. One male hamster and 6 female hamsters are organized into one breeding unit. Each week, 1 female hamster is placed into the male hamster's cage, that is, the male hamster is housed with 1 female hamster according to the weekly schedule, and at the same time the pregnant female hamster is removed and placed in a separate cage for delivery, nursing, and weaning, and so on. Each female hamster's production cycle is 42 days, which is longer than the long-term cohabitation method. However, it facilitates planned supply and production, and the nursing pups receive sufficient nutrition, so the pups develop well, and at weaning their average body weight is 1-2 g heavier than with the previous method. At this time, the reproductive capacity of the breeding hamsters should be checked frequently, and breeding hamsters with low conception capacity should be culled in time and new breeding stock added.