What do I do?

[MsTickldPink]

Okay so I'm new to the forum....but I'm not new to hedgehogs, I've had them since I was 15 and had to have a pet in biology class. I have three hedgies...2 female Togape (a cinnacot) and Jnyx (a snowflake) and 1 male Oragami (salt & pepper). I keep them all in one cage as they seem to like to be alone in the same cage better than being alone in different cages and I assumed because of thier attitudes towards each other that I didn't have to worry about breeding. Tonite Togape gave birth to 5 hoglets although I had to remove 1 because she didn't make it...and I was totally not prepared....it's her first litter and I've moved her to her own seperate cage....she and Oragami kept fighting over the log she chose as her nest and I was worried they would hurt them fighting on top of them or he would lay on one and she would be unable to care for them... I used a spoon when moving the babies and she seems to still be being attentive... my question tho is what else should I do for her? I put in tp for nesting but should I give her a box or something?

[paris26]

First of all, I'm not sure why you thought they wouldn't breed especially since you've taken biology :( Male + Female= BABIES! Your other female is also pregnant. I'm assuming you removed the male because he could very likely attack and kill the babies. I would also remove the other female from the cage as well because it sounds like she is also upsetting Togape. The stress alone of having those other hogs in there could cause her to canibalize! Get those hogs in their own SEPARATE cages ASAP and give Jynx TP and a nesting area because I would be very suprised if she didn't have babies soon too. Sterelite containers will work. Get the biggest one's they have, you can find them at Target, Wal-Mart etc. Take the wheel away from both girls. Provide fresh water and a high quality food and try not to disturb her at all. I believe you can spot clean the cage but a more thorough cleaning can be done at 2 weeks. That's when you start to handle the babies if she'll let you.
Read the Hedgehog Breeding and Babies section for more advice. I'm sure an experienced hedgie breeder will see this thread soon to give you more advice.

[illinidairychic]

With this situation I would say spot cleaning till they are weaned might be better. I'm sure the mother is super stressed out right now and added stress of changing her cage for a second time at 2 weeks might not be wise. I try to wait until I know the hoglets are mobile and getting around on their own. Also make sure that the hoglets can't fall into the water bowl if they wander out of the nest. You might want to also give Togape some cottage cheese or yogurt to keep her calcium levels up while she's nursing. I agree that all of them should be seperated, the reason origami was fighting was because he was trying to kill off the hoglets. males do not help the mother with the hoglets at all. Most breeders will put the male and female together for only a short bit and then remove the male well before the due date. I would just keep an eye on your other female and also do a quick head count on the hoglets when Togape is up eating or drinking. If there are dead babies just spoon them out and wait to hold the hoglets until 2 to 2 1/2 weeks. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me. I hope everything works out :)

[MsTickldPink]

Thank you so much for your advice.... I did a head count and I found 5 babies, one was removed dead....I think Oragami squished her. She seems to be doing well and they are very funny looking...I managed to get pictures when removing her to her own safe haven...and I'm checking Jynx for any signs of pregnancy...she's fairly young tho, how old do hedgehogs need to be before they can breed?

Well here's pictures of the babies and their proud mama....

[jules_77]

Thank you so much for your advice.... I did a head count and I found 5 babies, one was removed dead....I think Oragami squished her. She seems to be doing well and they are very funny looking...I managed to get pictures when removing her to her own safe haven...and I'm checking Jynx for any signs of pregnancy...she's fairly young tho, how old do hedgehogs need to be before they can breed?

Well here's pictures of the babies and their proud mama....


I think that hedgehogs CAN breed when they are 8 weeks , this is way too young however, as they are still babies but it is possible. How old is Jynx?

[MsTickldPink]

She's at least 3 months old...I'm not positive about the age though.

[paris26]

I had a hedgie I adopted who was pregnant at 9 weeks of age. It's rare but it does happen. Females are sexually mature at 4 months of age, but most responsible breeders breed them between the ages of 6-8 months depending on size, etc.
Are they all in separate cages? I would really try not disturb mom- any upset can cause her to cannibalize. It's hard to resist them, but I personally wouldn't want to rock the boat

[lil22]

are they all seperated at least now???

[MsTickldPink]

I have Togape seperated from the other 2 but I don't have a cage to seperate Jynx and Oragami but I'm going to the pet store tomorrow for mealworms, treats for being such a good mommy, and I'm going to look at new cages

[Nancy]

and I'm checking Jynx for any signs of pregnancy...she's fairly young tho, how old do hedgehogs need to be before they can breed?


They can breed as early as 7 weeks old. It is not safe for the female to do so. It can stunt her growth and the possibility of delivery complications and death is higher the younger she is.

Hedgehogs need to be 6 months old and full grown before they can be safely bred.