First Breeding age

[Titanium]

I've heard many different opinions on the topic of how old a female should be when she gives birth to her first litter. Most hover around 8 months in order to make sure their pelvis hasn't fused together, or older depending on th outcome of an x-ray.

Ella was supposed to give birth this week, but is still showing no signs of pregnancy. Should I re-breed her? She will be will be ten months soon. Should I have her looked at? Thanks.

[hemi_mygirl]

I think the early due date is 35 days, yet can extend to as much as 50 days. I'd say wait until 50 days has passed and then re-breed. The breeding may not have taken.

[illinidairychic]

you can breed her until she is 12 months I believe. Also like said before give her a few extra days before assuming she's not preggers, they can be late sometimes.

[Nancy]

Normal gestation is 35-37 days but they can go up to 55. I wouldn't risk rebreeding her until the 55 days is past. Remember that hedgehogs can deliver and cannibalize and there might be no more blood than a cut you'd get from shaving. Hard to find sometimes in shavings. Or, she may not have taken. I've had 3 breedings this winter that didn't take and have retired that male.

[Titanium]

Thanks guys. She was actually due on the fourth of this month, so I have started to give up hope (about 46 days). I'll start to consider rebreeding her, but maybe keep an eye on them when they're together to make sure 'it' gets done.

[miami hedgehogs]

We have found gestation period to be 33-37 days, but it can be hard to know exactly when the female gets pregnant if she is with the male over a several day period. It might have been the last day that they were together when they mated successfully rather than the first day of contact, no way of knowing so have to remember this when talking about how long she has been pregnant.

six months of age is a good benchmark of when a female can first be considered for mating, meaning she will be at least 7 months by the time she has her first litter. Many people wait longer, personal discretion rather than for any defined reason. But if you want to breed then the first litter should be before the mother is over 11-12 months of age.

Miami Hedgehogs