Breeding basics

[LizardGirl]

Standard is just as you are doing, 6 months. So you could pair a female on January first, and then again on June first, and that'd be the appropriate amount of time.

[Nancy]

I've always been told and have always followed, to breed again 6 months from the date of birth of the previous litter.

[nikki]

I have, on occasion, waited up to a year between litters because of going on holidays etc, and its never affected the success rate of the breedings.

[LarryT]

Alot of breeders will breed again 8-12 weeks from weaning depending on the litter size and how mom faired and such.

[Kobe]

So you guys wouldnt recommend breeding them for the first time after one year? Is that simply to get them used to breeding when they are kindof young (between 6-12 months) so it doesnt negatively affect them after they are 1 year old and relatively stable?

The reason why i ask is that I have a lot of stuff going on right now and will for the next while, but eventually would like to expand my litter by breeding my girl (I do not have a male but thats a whole seperate issue). This would probably be at around 1 year from her birth (currently 8 weeks old).

[Immortalia]

Originally Posted by Kobe

So you guys wouldnt recommend breeding them for the first time after one year? Is that simply to get them used to breeding when they are kindof young (between 6-12 months) so it doesnt negatively affect them after they are 1 year old and relatively stable?

The reason why i ask is that I have a lot of stuff going on right now and will for the next while, but eventually would like to expand my litter by breeding my girl (I do not have a male but thats a whole seperate issue). This would probably be at around 1 year from her birth (currently 8 weeks old).

The female's pelvis starts fusing as they grow older, so breeding after 1 year is dangerous and usually fatal, as her pelvis has pretty much fused.

Where did you get your girl from? Is this your first hedgehog? Why do you wish to breed? Are you planning just 1 litter? Do you have a mentor to help guide you? Does your girl have a pedigree?
Did you buy her from PapilionRu(on this board)? She is the only real reputable breeder in Toronto right now, and she's the only one with hedgehogs that would actually be considered breeding quality. So it may be wise to contact her directly and talk about whether your girl is actually breeding quality or not. Or perhaps just have her as just a pet for now, and then think about breeding by the time you are ready for a second hedgie.
And, as you can see from her post here https://hedgehogcentral.com/forums/vi...p=76042#p76042 it gives a brief sum of how much it can all cost, obvious not nearly as much since you seem to only want 1 litter, but either way, still good to have a few thousand dollars on hand(or by credit) for emergencies if you wish to breed.

[Kobe]

I got her from a breeder that services pet shops in the GTA but lives in roughly Parry Sound. This is my second hedgehog and i would want to breed to have many hedgehogs (not for making money). I would plan for just one litter and do not have a mentor. I dont know much about my hedgehogs past but would that matter if i would have no intention on selling?

I am not locked into this idea and it would be a long time in the future. I was just toying with the idea and wanted to learn more about the 1 year limit. It makes sense! I could see how it could be fatal for an older hedgie to give birth for the first time. Thanks for the advice.

[susanaproenca]

Originally Posted by Kobe

I dont know much about my hedgehogs past but would that matter if i would have no intention on selling?

It would matter because, if your hedgehog has any one in her lineage within 5 generations that have developed Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, then your hedgehog could still be carrying the genes for it -- therefore her litter would be at risk of having/developing this horrible disease. The only way you can be sure you are going to have healthy babies is by knowing her lineage back 5 generations.

[Kobe]

oh really, wow! okay well before i even think about it i will figure it out. thanks for the advice. (I most likely wont breed, i was just curious on some info. Just to put that out there)

[HodgepodgeHedgehog]

Originally Posted by Hedgiepets

A female should NOT be bred under the age of 6 months, nor bred for the first time over the age of one year.

i'm not planning to ever breed, and i understand why they shouldn't be bred und the age of 6 months, but why not over the age of 1 year? (just curious)