Post by megs on Apr 24, 2006 4:37:53 GMT -4
Well they're here! Three adorable little girls. Not from the litter I originally intended. Not even from the same pet store.
I gave it some thought... and I was worried about two things:
1. The new, nursing litter at the one pet store may have been an accidental litter from two siblings. The reason I thought this was the litter was right out in the open for everyone to see and not in the back somewhere where it was quiet and darker, which is more typical of planned, controlled litters, is it not? The pet store people didn't want to cause any stress to the mother and left her right where the litter was born... in the front window of the small animal section. I was a little worried about taking the chance that the youngsters may have been from such close lines.
2. Due to the possibility of an accidental litter, I was worried about the staff, including the owner who I know personally, being able to sex the hamsters properly, and although I am okay at it (I've had both male and female dwarfs and have sexed them successfully), I did not want to take the chance that I may end up with boys and girls, together.
Sooo...
I was in a different pet store today, picking up another wheel (a comfort wheel) for the new habitat I have been preparing for my Dwarfs. It's been all ready to go for a few days, and it was just a matter of waiting for and finding the right Dwarfs.
They had two litters in separate tanks. I inquired about ages and sexes. Both litters received were all female. Perhaps the breeder kept the males for breeding stock, I'm not sure. But the pet shop people assured me they were all female, right from the breeder. They are 5 and a half weeks now. I was hoping to get them a little younger than that... so I left with my comfort wheel, and a log hiding thingee, and a new water bottle for Jenna because hers was starting to smell funny. Oh, and I bought a really nice hamster magazine that cost $12!
So... I'm sitting on the bus, waiting for it to pull away from the bus stop, and reading the magazine, when I decide that I really really wanted not two, but THREE of those little girls. I think the habitat I have set up is perfect for three Dwarfs. Any more and it would be a bit crowded. Anyways, I was determined to get three of those girls, so I flew out the front door of the bus, just as the driver was starting the engine, and I say "Thank you but I have more shopping to do still!!!" He looked kind of shocked. lol
I re-enter the pet store announcing that I'm back! And I would like to see the Dwarfs please
I picked out three absolutely darling little girls (from the same litter of course):
Sprite - A beautiful black-eyed white with flesh ears.
Scout - A lovely mottled agouti
Scarlet - An adorable red-eyed argente.
YAY!
They are settling into their new home very nicely and do not seem the least bit aggresive at this point! Even approaching 6 weeks of age, they seem very interested and accepting of my hand in their home. Lets hope it stays this way with patience and careful handling and taming. I hope to introduce them more to my voice, hand, and scent over the next few days, and begin handling them later in the week. Very excited!!
So, my hamster family is complete. Two Syrians, one short-haired and one long, and three little Dwarfs! And I'm just beaming!!
Pictures coming soon!!
I gave it some thought... and I was worried about two things:
1. The new, nursing litter at the one pet store may have been an accidental litter from two siblings. The reason I thought this was the litter was right out in the open for everyone to see and not in the back somewhere where it was quiet and darker, which is more typical of planned, controlled litters, is it not? The pet store people didn't want to cause any stress to the mother and left her right where the litter was born... in the front window of the small animal section. I was a little worried about taking the chance that the youngsters may have been from such close lines.
2. Due to the possibility of an accidental litter, I was worried about the staff, including the owner who I know personally, being able to sex the hamsters properly, and although I am okay at it (I've had both male and female dwarfs and have sexed them successfully), I did not want to take the chance that I may end up with boys and girls, together.
Sooo...
I was in a different pet store today, picking up another wheel (a comfort wheel) for the new habitat I have been preparing for my Dwarfs. It's been all ready to go for a few days, and it was just a matter of waiting for and finding the right Dwarfs.
They had two litters in separate tanks. I inquired about ages and sexes. Both litters received were all female. Perhaps the breeder kept the males for breeding stock, I'm not sure. But the pet shop people assured me they were all female, right from the breeder. They are 5 and a half weeks now. I was hoping to get them a little younger than that... so I left with my comfort wheel, and a log hiding thingee, and a new water bottle for Jenna because hers was starting to smell funny. Oh, and I bought a really nice hamster magazine that cost $12!
So... I'm sitting on the bus, waiting for it to pull away from the bus stop, and reading the magazine, when I decide that I really really wanted not two, but THREE of those little girls. I think the habitat I have set up is perfect for three Dwarfs. Any more and it would be a bit crowded. Anyways, I was determined to get three of those girls, so I flew out the front door of the bus, just as the driver was starting the engine, and I say "Thank you but I have more shopping to do still!!!" He looked kind of shocked. lol
I re-enter the pet store announcing that I'm back! And I would like to see the Dwarfs please
I picked out three absolutely darling little girls (from the same litter of course):
Sprite - A beautiful black-eyed white with flesh ears.
Scout - A lovely mottled agouti
Scarlet - An adorable red-eyed argente.
YAY!
They are settling into their new home very nicely and do not seem the least bit aggresive at this point! Even approaching 6 weeks of age, they seem very interested and accepting of my hand in their home. Lets hope it stays this way with patience and careful handling and taming. I hope to introduce them more to my voice, hand, and scent over the next few days, and begin handling them later in the week. Very excited!!
So, my hamster family is complete. Two Syrians, one short-haired and one long, and three little Dwarfs! And I'm just beaming!!
Pictures coming soon!!
They are all in my Memorial Photo Gallery below. I could tell the black guys apart by the white pips on their forepaws. Then I could easily tell them apart blindfolded by personality.
