How long to rebreed

[illinidairychic]

I was wondering what the recommended time to wait after a hedgehog has had a litter that she rejected to rebreed. She isn't nursing since all the hoglets didn't make it. I was planning on waiting 2 months but didn't know if that was enough time to wait to rebreed. Normally I give my females a little more then a month after weaning a litter to rebreed.

[Steph]

Normally I give my females a little more then a month after weaning a litter to rebreed.


Unless I am reading this wrong this is not enough time.

I give my girls 3 months from weaning or 6 months from birth date, 6 months either way you look at it usually since I wean at 7 weeks.

A month is not nearly enough time IMO.

For females that reject I take it on a case by case, if I know they rejected because they just weren't ready, etc... and they didn't nurse a single day I might go 2-3 months but that's the minimum and if they nursed at all I go 6 months.

Breeding females too soon you are at more of a risk for complications, missed breedings, etc...

[Nancy]

I do the same as Steph. I feel they need a nice long break between litters and cannibalizations. My gang are pets first and foremost. My first priority is the health and welfare of my girls. :)

[illinidairychic]

Thanks for the advice. The one girl didn't nurse at all and I think it was just freaked out being her first litter. I'm not going to rebreed her until I'm sure she is calmer and ready this time. (and no sooner then 2-3 months). I was also unsure on the other ones that have had litters and weaned them, I only have one so far. I have rebreed her and it was 6 weeks from her weaning. So not quite long enough so from now on I'll wait longer.

[Steph]

I'm glad we could help, that's what we're here for. :)

[lil22]

yup, hedgies should only be bred 2x a year max.

[illinidairychic]

I had read some older literature when I first started researching that said they can have 3 to 4 litters a year...but mind you it's a book that I'm sure is way out of date. I picked it up at boarders before I got snugs.

[CoquiMom]

I wait 3 months between litters at the minimum. Mainly I go three months from weaning date.

[illinidairychic]

I was suggested that waiting period by other breeders. I will now work by what was suggested to me.

[CoquiMom]

Good luck. I wish you great success.

In humans we are told that our bodies need time to recover from pregnancy and it is usually about 2 years between pregnancy in humans being ideal. With that being said I would think animals need a break too. :)