Question...?

[oXo_HogMom_oXo]

Umm... I was wondering if it would be a good idea to breed? I mean, I think I would like to breed... But can you guys fill me in on this? I know you breed to improve the breed... not just because you want to line your pocket...

More information would be great! Hmmm... Just wanna learn I guess, I think I'm intrested. And, if I decide not to... Then I will have all this GREAT information just for my own benfit! :D

[haig]

http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72751

[PrettyHate]

Haig beat me to it. Also, read this thread : http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72604

I dont think I need to say anything else.

[oXo_HogMom_oXo]

Thank you guys, I've been reading up on all the posts here in Chins-n-Quills. Just got done with the one with the costs... Seems like alot but those people are right. Animals are so expensive. I've been dealing with gliders since I was 12... wow! If I didn't have gliders and other animals I think I would be rich, lol. Ok not quit but close! Then again, I don't mind spending money on them, they need someone to care for them. Besides,what would I do with all that money? I'm not a shopper and I don't like make up or shoes... o.o :laugh: :love:

[PrettyHate]

Thank you guys, I've been reading up on all the posts here in Chins-n-Quills. Just got done with the one with the costs... Seems like alot but those people are right. Animals are so expensive. I've been dealing with gliders since I was 12... wow! If I didn't have gliders and other animals I think I would be rich, lol. Ok not quit but close! Then again, I don't mind spending money on them, they need someone to care for them. Besides,what would I do with all that money? I'm not a shopper and I don't like make up or shoes... o.o :laugh: :love:

LOL I TOTALLY know what you mean. I hate shopping (unless it is for others, or for my pets!)- I dislike clothes shopping so much in fact, that I still have clothes that I wore in grade 8 kicking around. Everything still fits fine, doesnt have any holes in it....so why not keep it and continue to wear it!? I didnt even realize how much money I spend at work on my animals till I was looking back though my IOU sheets- in the last 7 months of me working there I have easily spent somewhere between $1500-$2000 on my critters! That isnt alot of money I guess- until you take into account that Im a student and have school etc to pay for. Oh well, my pets are SO worth it....

[oXo_HogMom_oXo]

I agree Pretty! I would prefer to go to the toy section in the petstore then to a mall... ^.^ In fact I just sent $20 along with my mom to pick up more leather mice, bedding food and fruit for the gliders, hehe. Money well spent I say! :love:

[bloane]

There are also several articles on breeding hedgehogs in the articles section at www.hedgehogworld.com (http://www.hedgehogworld.com) Breeding is definately not something you should go into lightly or on a whim, thank you SO much for asking questions before you make your decision. :) I have been breeding for over 5 years, and for the most part, I love it, though there have been several times where it hasbeen tempting to quit completely, but then what would I do with my time and money??? *grin*
Becca

[oXo_HogMom_oXo]

It sounds like a challenge, that I would like to get into. Would it be alright to just have one boy and one girl? I talked to a few people and they said to get back the money you put into your hedgies you should have a "few" breeding pairs. But I don't want to get into it just because of the money, or the fact that I think I have to have the most hedgies in the world.

Can someone tell me about the habbits they get once they are put together? I wouldn't want them breeding all the time, so is it alright to seperate? Also, would the father hurt the babies if they are left together or should the dad and the mom/babies be seperated then? How much money do you all recomend I put away for vet/accidents/diseases...ect. :confused:

So many questions, lol.

What about the PROPER environment for mom and babies and breeding? (I will not put my hedgies in a tank/aquarium...) So like what type of larger cage is recommended for just a single breeding pair?

How are mom's temperments while being pregnant, and how is she after giving birth? When is it alright to hold babies after birth?

How do you guys recommend keeping records? How about temperature for babies... Special diets? Hand feeding incase something goes wrong? Can mom get depressed after giving birth and ignore the babies? :confused:

[Nancy]

It sounds like a challenge, that I would like to get into. Would it be alright to just have one boy and one girl? I talked to a few people and they said to get back the money you put into your hedgies you should have a "few" breeding pairs. But I don't want to get into it just because of the money, or the fact that I think I have to have the most hedgies in the world.
I believe starting with one is the only way to go. You get a feel for breeding and if things work out you can get another female later.


Can someone tell me about the habbits they get once they are put together? I wouldn't want them breeding all the time, so is it alright to seperate? Also, would the father hurt the babies if they are left together or should the dad and the mom/babies be seperated then? How much money do you all recomend I put away for vet/accidents/diseases...ect. :confused:

You can't leave a male and female together. They will eat their babies once they are born. The female should only be with the male while they are mating.
Money to set aside, well I spent over $500. in vet bills for my first female who ended up being spayed. So in cold hard cash terms I also lost the money I put out on her as a breeder. Lauren just spent $1300. on vet bills for her girl. I have a credit card with a $2000. limit that I keep for emergencies and hope I never need it.

So many questions, lol.
Yes there are a zillion questions and things you need to know. You can read everything possible on breeding and babies and when it actually happens you will realize you still don't have a clue. :laugh: That is when you need to be able to do frantic messages to experienced breeders. Right Becca ;)


What about the PROPER environment for mom and babies and breeding? (I will not put my hedgies in a tank/aquarium...) So like what type of larger cage is recommended for just a single breeding pair?
The large bins work great for moms and babies. You will also need a nest box and mom should be kept in a quiet area.


How are mom's temperments while being pregnant, and how is she after giving birth? When is it alright to hold babies after birth? [QUOTE]
Of course I have only had a few pregnant moms but I find their temperments were normal until a few days or so before delivery. Then they start to get grumpy. It depends on each individual hog though.
It totally depends on the mom when you can handle new babies. Most recommend 2 weeks but if mom is nervous not even then. Some people can earlier than that if they know and trust the mom.

[QUOTE]
How do you guys recommend keeping records? How about temperature for babies... Special diets? Hand feeding incase something goes wrong? Can mom get depressed after giving birth and ignore the babies? :confused:
I keep records of everything on the computer, on my calendar and in a notebook just so nothing gets lost.
Temperatures for babies is the same as mom is used to normally. As long is mom is warm she will keep the babies warm.
Handfeeding is very time consuming. I have never done it with babies but did have to syringe feed my sick female. Luckily I work out of my home so I was here and able to tend to her round the clock.
I have heard from people who have tried handfeeding litters that just as soon as you are done feeding the last baby, the first is ready to eat again.
Yes mom can ignore the babies. She can cannibalize the babies if anything upsets her. She can kill babies and I read of a case where it happened at 5 weeks of age. YIKES!

There is lots to learn and I often feel I don't know near enough. :)

[oXo_HogMom_oXo]

Oh my gosh, this is intrestesting in one aspect and almost overwhelming in knowledge in another, lol. I read everything on breeding Hedgehog Central, and I've read a bunch of threads here in CnQ... Not to mention I'm still asking questions here, :laugh: .

1.) How do you know for certain your hedgie is pregnant or is just a... guessing game?

2.) It says that the recomended times you put a male and female together is twice for 7 days each. If you are uncertain about a successful breeding should you put them in together again?

3.) If the mom does eat or kill her babies, is that the end of her breeding? Just in case it's a trait that she does it with all her litters?

4.) When should you begin a normal routine with the babies, such as baths and toenail clipping?

5.) Should I be concerned about color traits? Like You are not allowed to breed two violet chins together because the outcome of the baby could be devistating...

6.) Do hedgies go into heat like cats and dogs, and if so about what times is this?

7.) About how many breedings is SAFE for a female hedgie a year?

:D :eek: :confused:

--(-Taking-Notes-)--