Experienced Hamster Owners...

[Bunnicula05]

I want to ask a question since I'm hopefully going to be a first time campbell dwarf hamster owner. Is is healthy for a hamster to be kept in a glass aquarium? I'm thinking that for space wise it would be healthier, but as for air circulation I have my doubts. Orscheln has small wire cages, but I'm afraid it will be too small for my future hamster to have a family in. And I was wondering, instead of getting four separte cages (one for mom, one for dad, one for female pups, and one for male pups) only get two cages, one for females and one for males. But my question is, can they still be weaned off the momma if the females are still living with mom?
~Meg~

[Heather Wallace]

Yes, mum will wean her babies when she thinks it is time. Bunny still had 2 of her babies with her, and remember Ebony was still with her right up untill well she died and she was 6 months old. Ebony and the rest of the babies where weaned at about 4 weeks old and Bunny just knew when it was right for her.

Have you read up on the subject of breeding hamsters. remember they are much different from rabbits.

[Sam's My Baby]

The fish tank is the best cage there is for hamsters. I have a plastic cage for my gerbil, which is a bad choice since rodents are always chewing on it:eek: You can purchase screen thingys at the pet shop to put on the top of the fish tank, so then the air will be circulated real well.

[Logan]

I can't address the breeding issues. I just know that you can't keep two together permanently....we had two girls at once and they fought.

I prefer wire cages, because I think the airflow is better, and there is more climbing space. But I don't use wire cages any longer due to a couple of mishaps with interested dogs (the hamsters were ok, by the way, but it was scary), and plastic and wire cages are easier for the hamsters to escape from. Olivia lives in a glass aquarium, well out of the reach of the dogs and cats, but with plenty of ventilation. Just make sure you get plenty of toys to keep the hamsters active. They like to exercise....all night! :rolleyes: Our little Evelyn met an early demise last summer while in a glass aquarium.......I had it too low, and the dogs tipped her over while we were away. :( I learned a valuable lesson.

[Bunnicula05]

Yes, Heather I have been doing my research. And all the websites are beginning to sound the same and that's a clue that I know what there is all to know. Hehehe. Logan, you must be thinking of syrian hamsters fighting. I've read that if you introduce dwarf hamsters at a young age they will bond and be inseperable. Thanks for all your input! ~Meg~

[Logan]

I have no idea what kind of hamsters I was thinking of! I don't even know what kind I have!! LOL!! :D

[Aspen and Misty]

Be carefull most "Dads" will eat there children! You wouldn't want that to happen!

[Bunnicula05]

the mom and dad will be separated after the mate. and i don't think by the time the baby hamsters are weaned that he'll eat them. it's not a possibility, cuz they're too big! now if you have the male and female in together all the time and she has the babies, right after they're born the dad might eat them. hamster are cannibalistic, so you shouldn't touch the nest or babies for two weeks. but my mom and dad will be separated from day 1. (HOWEVER! I AM TALKING ABOUT DWARF HAMSTERS. NOT SYRIANS. SYRIANS WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH. AND DON'T LIVE TOGETHER IN THE WILD) That's why i want to breed dwarves because when introduced to each other at a young age they will be great pals. syrians prefer to live alone. ~meg~