how old to breed?

[horse_chic89]

just for curiosity, how old are hedgehogs when they can breed??

[horse_chic89]

like when can males be firtile, i don't want to breed.

[sarah1984]

a hedgehog should be at LEAST 6 months before being bred.

[horse_chic89]

ok, i don't want to breed hedgies, i just wanted to know how old they had to be.

[bloane]

Depends on how exactly your question is interpreted.
How old are they when they CAN breed? Occasionally as early as 7 weeks for girls, and 5 weeks for boys.
How old before they SHOULD be bred? 6 months for girls, 4ish months for boys.
Becca

[tiffshedgehogs]

Ok i am new at this but i have been in contact with other breeders and done lots of research my self but a female for the first time should be bred between the age of 5 months and 8 months if bred before or after that for the first time complications are more likely to accure. If they are pervous mothers they can breed after that time. And i males can be bred as early as 3 months of age. Correct me if i am wrong people becasue like i said i am new at this

Tiffany

[bloane]

I am sorry, but I disagree with that. The first time should not be until 6 months, when the female has basically hit her full growth. And a female can be bred for the first time without any additional risks until about 18 months.
Males can theoretically be bred that young, but I have had very little success with A.) The males knowing what to do, and B.) Getting it done successfully. At 3 months, they are still mostly kids, but usually by 4 months they have enough hormones flowing that they seem to do better. I don't breed my males heavily before at least 6 months though.
I have an article that I wrote and posted to my web site about this, you can find it at http://www.daisymeadows.com/care/ready.html
Becca

[Scubaqueen]

I agree completley with Bloane. . .

[horse_chic89]

yeah, its ok now. i just had a boy hedgie for one night, and was wondering if her would do anything with my girl over one night, i also didn't put them together because they were bro and sis and it would have been a BIG medd if they did breed!

[bloane]

Yep, they certainly can get things accomplished in a single night. I am glad you didn't put them together.
Becca