More Males that Females?

[petsugargliders]

I came across a few websits that said that they have had more males born than females. Is this true with most hedgies?

[Love4Hedgies]

I don't know if that is true...but I have also heard the same thing. I think it just varies from litter to litter though.

[~Chelsey~]

The number of males and females is dependant upon the pH of the uterus. If the uterus is alkaline you have more of one gender and if the uterus is more acidic you have more of another. There are ways to change the pH such as adding orange juice to drinking water, but I do not practice this method. Bloane knows more about this topic as well.

[Sarah+Sonic]

Here is the conversation that took place on hedgehogclub.com
http://hedgehogclub.com/breederforum/index.php?showtopic=6&st=0&#entry9

C/P for those who cant view it

(Sarah)
Is the tendancy to throw all/most males OR females in a litter a genetic thing? One of my boys, his mom had 3 sons in his litter, and now he just threw 4 sons. I was curious if that was a hereditary tendancy.
(Bryan Smith) No, it isn't genetic, it's chemical. The conditions of the uterus at the time of conception determine the x/y ratio. Impromptu studies in hedgehogs have shown that more acidic conditions result in a higher percentage of males while more alkaline conditions result in a higher percentage of females.
(Sarah)Ahhhh. So is there any pattern to when the uterus is more/less acidic/alkaline? Or way to control it, if I wanted a girl-litter or boy-litter?
(Chelsey)That's very interesting. Does the acidity/alkalinity of the uterus have any affect on color too?

[petsugargliders]

Thanks, that is very interesting!

[bloane]

In a natural state, without experimenting with pH, yes, pet hedgehogs tend to throw more males than females. I have done some work with pH, but it didn't work reliably enough for me to continue it at this point in time.
Becca

[PrincessHedge]

Acidic Verses Alkaline was does that mean? How can you control these things? What in food or in environment? I understand Acidic for Boys and Alkaline for girls , but what does (Acidic,& Alkaline mean)? :confused: :confused:

Thanks Monica :D

[Sarah+Sonic]

Hi Monica,

The PH scale ranges from 0 to 14. 0 is very alkaline, while 14 is the most acidic. 7 is neutral. The Ph conditions (alkaline or acidic)of the uterus are what effects the male or female outcome. Water and foods are more or less acidic/alkaline, and that effects the mother.

[nannyogg]

My experience with manipulating has been the same as Becca's- not reliable at all. Over 8 years of babies, living in 3 different states (i.e. very different water sources), and a few attempts of experimenting to manipulate ph, we still run an average of about 3 to 4 males per 1 female baby. I know from looking at other breeders' data that not everyone has this issue, but for our herd, we're very much heavy on the boys.

Tig

[M4Tt]

I Just had the perfect litter haha lol ! 1 male albino 1 female albino 1 male standard and 1 female standard.