 Breeding Age
Dwarf Hamsters are generally much more easy to breed than Syrian hamsters because they are sociable. The pair of hamsters you wish to breed should be introduced at a young age preferably just after weaning. Dwarf hamsters can live together and will decide what age they wish to start breeding at, typically being about 2 to 3 months and often longer in roborovski's. Dwarf hamsters will control their breeding often only having 2 to 3 litters.
Oestrus cycle
Unlike Syrian hamsters the oestrus cycle in dwarf hamsters is not really important because the hamsters can live together throughout their life. Dwarf hamsters are sociable and will decide when they wish to breed.
Keeping a colony
The hamsters you wish to mate can also be kept in social groups or colonies. These colonies can consist of many males and females. When a birth occurs the other hamsters may help in the development of the litter. Therefore this implies that it is not necessary to remove the males during nursing. If the male is removed the female may not recognise the males scent when he is placed back in the cage.
Gestation Period
The gestation period of dwarf hamsters is about 22 days and up to 30 days in roborovski hamsters. This however can not always be used as a guideline to when you should expect the birth because dwarf hamsters are able to stunt the growth of some or all their fertilised eggs. Pregnancy is well underway when it becomes fairly aggressive towards you and its mates. Therefore it is necessary to ensure there are hiding places for the hamsters to hide.
The Birth
Like Syrian hamsters the female is often active during her birth. They often have babies scattered in the cage and even give birth on their exercise wheels. Do not be tempted to pick the babies up and move them to the nest because the mother may destroy her whole litter. The mother will collect her babies up after she has given birth to the last baby. The babies are born blind, naked and helpless. The babies have teeth so that they may suckle from the mother.
Nursing
The babies will be nursed until they are 3 weeks old. During this period the babies should not be disturbed or handled. When the babies are 8 to 10 days they will start to leave the nest only for the mother to carry them back home. At 16 days old they open their eyes. On the 18th day the cage can be given a clean with the babies handled very briefly to change the bedding. During nursing high protein and calcium foods are very beneficial such as Soya bean curd, bread soaked in milk and boiled egg white. At three weeks (four weeks for roborovski) the babies are fully weaned and may be separated into their sex groups and then at six weeks the babies are ready to be re-homed.
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