CruinndracFarms Forums

So, many of you know that Tomkins and I own a lot of hamsters, and we're breeding. Well, time is here! We have our wonderful mummy hammie, her name is Darissa.


She's been mated to:


Projected Colours: Black, yellow, melanistic yellow, tortoiseshell, goldens
Projected Pattern: 100% solid
Projected Fur type: Short hair, carrying long hair

Darissa is the sweetest, most laid back hamster ever. She loves sunflower seeds, and has captured our hearts.

Her litter is due late at night, Sept. 11th.

This is often what I'm greeted with when we come to her bin:


Day 8 Pregnancy Shot:


Day 10 Pregnancy Shot:


Day 12 Pregnancy Shot:

(her one cheek pouch is full of sunflower seeds that Tomkins gave her while I fussed with things in her cage)

Usual gestation period is 16 days. She weighed 128g on the 3rd, and today weighs 150g... I think it's safe to say we will have some pink, wiggly jellybeans very soon!

Hamster mums do not make the best mothers, however they are extremely protective of their babies. I cannot disturb Darissa's nest (where the babies are) until their eyes are open at least. It is recommended to not take pictures either. I may grab a photo, if I can do so without bugging mum and babies, with my iPhone (silent and no flash) but otherwise, I'll update with text updates, and once their eyes are open, pictures!

Awwww I'm excited to see them! Best of. Luck with your breeding! ^^

Thanks! So far, besides the obvious signs of pregnancy, Darissa is also showing personality signs - nesting, hoarding, BITING MUMMY... Understandably so, but I have a throbbing hand. She doesn't like me touching her things, and since I'm kinda a stranger, she's a bit more territorial than normal. Hopefully she'll learn that I'm not a meaniepants.

We cleaned her cage! Collective efforts between the SO and myself distracted the hormonal Darissa long enough for me to swap over any dirty bedding to clean bedding, leaving nests in tact (for the most part) and larders full and brimming over.

In hind sight, with pink crinklers, we may have a hard time seeing pink babies, but I am not too worried.



She was not a happy lady.

Day 14 - I am beginning to think we in fact have a peach, not a hamster.

Turns out we got dates wrong and Darissa is due TODAY. So no wonder we had no babies last night.

Crossing fingers for a safe delivery.

Hekomi wrote:Turns out we got dates wrong and Darissa is due TODAY. So no wonder we had no babies last night.

Crossing fingers for a safe delivery.

Good luck! Can't wait for pictures!

Thanks! Likely I won't have any pictures for a while, as mums can get VERY possessive and territorial and you are not to interfere. It would be a different story if the mum was a hamster we had raised since very little (like our two little girls) who would likely be fine with interference. However, Darissa has been pretty touchy the last at least, five days, so I'm going to play it safe. If I can get a quick shot with a soundless iPhone I will, but otherwise we'll wait until eyes are opened!

A skinnier Darissa made her appearance just now for some water and food. She did linger at the side for sunflower seeds, but upon getting no attention, scooted back into her nest. I cannot visibly see anything (and of course won't be prying) but I assume that there are babies in the nest.

Giving everyone a mid-day treat of tofu and carrots, and filled up Darissa's waterbottle. I got some grumpy teeth chattering, but I did see some little wiggly pinkies stirring in her nest! We could count at least two, but there are likely more.

Squee! So excited! I didn't think we'd be able to see in, since she built such a good nest and I was not going to disturb her at all, but when she made a bee-line for the tofu, both of us got a quick glance in. So excited!