help in breeding

[wattovader]

Hi, recently i just got myself a pair of albino hedgehogs.Think they should be young adults or old enough to breed. I am planning to breed this pair.So base on everyone experience here,is breeding hog easy? How can i start off breeding and what should i do?Pls guide me.

[hedgieluva]

How long have you owned hedgehogs?? all I can say to you is if you just got them I suggest doing lots of research and waiting, why are you wanting to breed them?

research research research!!!!!!!

[Tails]

Yes please don't just jump right into breeding. If you do research first, you won't get yourself into a situation on here where you are begging for help because something isn't going right etc.

Before I got my one hedgie I did months of extensive research on here and elsewhere; I have a book also. When I got my chinchillas I did the same thing. I have just placed my first pair of chins in breeding and have spent the last year researching it, as well as owning them for 2 years first.

So while you may want to breed right away it is better to get to know your critters as individuals before placing them right into breeding, which is an entirely different caring process. Plus the pair may not be compatiable, it happens.

[kaiteedyd]

If you're not sure how old they are you're probably also not sure on their pedigress. Which means you know nothing about their ancestors and the genetic defects they may be carrying. With all the genetic issues with hedgehogs it is not a good idea to breed two hedgehogs together with no known genetic past. You could probagate many things like cancer and WHS (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome.) Or since you don't have pedigrees they very well could be related. Inbreeding isn't good in such a small gene pool situation like hedgies.

If you're serious about breeding learn everything you can from your two albinos about basic care and then in a year or two get a pedigreed pair to breed.

[hemi_mygirl]

Yes, don't breed! Do lots of research, and make sure to look up pictures of what can happen to babies if mom gets upset. Those pictures of mangled babies discouraged me from ever wanting to breed.

[Nancy]

My answer to this is posted on HHC. :)

[HedgeMom]

My answer to this is posted on HHC. :)

So why not either post it here or not mention it? Not everyone is interested in visiting another forum for information. I find it odd that a moderator on this forum would send people away for information.

[Aqua-Net]

When I first got my Rilla, I'll be honest and say that I considered breeding her. Why? Because she came from a breeder who I was impressed with, but most importantly, because she had/has such an incredible presonality. I know there is still some debate on the nature vs nurture front when it comes to personality but she is one of those hedgehogs that isn't really sure why she has quills. Even when she jumps, her quills are normally completely relaxed. But as I researched, I realized what a risk it would be for her. I didn't want to become a breeder per se, I just wanted others to be able to experience a hedgehog as completely lovable as she is. So in the end (after research), the only reason I would consider breeding her for (her personality) is the exact same reason why I will never consider breeding her. I cannot imagine risking my sweet little baby even if the risk is a small one. So research plenty and learn hands on with your quill kids before you decide if breeding is appropriate. And always make sure you know the pedigree of the animals you are working with!

[kaiteedyd]

So why not either post it here or not mention it? Not everyone is interested in visiting another forum for information. I find it odd that a moderator on this forum would send people away for information.

Because, this person posted the same question over at HHC.

[Nancy]

So why not either post it here or not mention it? Not everyone is interested in visiting another forum for information. I find it odd that a moderator on this forum would send people away for information.
I guess I posted it that way because I was in a rush and my mind doesn't always go to the negative so it never even dawned on me it could be perceived that I was sending people to another forum.

I was simply pointing out to the poster that I had already answered over there. Here is the posters question followed by my reply.

Hi, recently i just got myself a pair of albino hedgehogs.Think they should be young adults or old enough to breed. I am planning to breed this pair.So base on everyone experience here,is breeding hog easy? How can i start off breeding and what should i do?Pls guide me.
Research, research, research. Make sure you are financially and emotionaly prepared and have done enough research to know at least the basics.

Will you be able to clean up baby body parts when mom kills or cannibalizes her babies. Take a look at this (http://www.hamorhollow.com/gallery/Health-Destroyed) This is an all too frequent occurence and looks horrid in pictures, imagine what it is like in real life.

What about if mom dies? Will you be able to handle it knowing that it was your fault she is dead. Trust me, this is not easy.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong. The male could kill the female while mating or the female can kill the male the female can bite the males penis off. The potential problems in pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg matures in fallopian tube), burst uterus, and stress on liver causing fatty liver which can happen either during pregnancy or after the babies arrive.

During birthing mom could bleed out, a baby could get stuck, mom could need a c-section, or mom could have a prolapsed uterus. After birth FLD, uterine infections or retained fetuses that cause the mom to go toxic, mastitis, problems nursing, milk dries up etc etc etc.

Vet bills add up very quickly so having $1000. available at all times is not unreasonable. I've had two breedings that ended up costing me close to $700. each. One the girl survived but had to be spayed, the other died even though we did everything possible to try and save her. I have a friend who spent $1300. to save the mom's life. You also need to have a vet lined up and be familiar with the vet and s/he you.

I always tell people to assume the worst is going to happen and be prepared for it. You might think it won't happen but everyone who breeds will at some point in time experience huge vet bills, cannibalized babies, emergency surgeries, and deaths of mom and sometimes even the dad when breeding. Don't think it won't happen to you. It will. The question is when. Often people will say they are only going to have one litter, well what if that is the one that costs you $1200. in vet bills and/or a dead mom.

You have albinos which will produce at least some albino babies. Are you aware that most people do not want albinos and most breeders have great difficulty selling albinos.

If you are serious about breeding join
Breeders Helping Breeders (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BreedersHelpingBreeders/)
and the Hedgehog Breeders Alliance (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HedgehogBreedersAlliance/) for help from long time breeders.
Also read the Breeding and babies section on CnQ