Breeding basics

[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. The gestation period is about 35 days, but can be as long as 49 days. If you happen to find that your female has given birth, DO NOT disturb her for 2 weeks, with the exception of giving her food and water. How do you know there are babies in the nest? You will hear squeaks or chirps. Take out the wheel. Do not try to clean the cage until babies are weaned. Babies will start to eat out of mom’s food dish at about 4 weeks old. Babies will need to be weaned at about 6 weeks old. The males need to be separated from mom and sisters by 7 weeks of age.

How old should a male be before breeding? Males should be about 4 months old. But males and females alike, are capable of breeding at 7 weeks, but it is not healthy for them.

It only takes a couple of seconds for a male and female to breed, so never allow a male and female playtime together. Never house a male and female together. If they are housed together, the male will constantly be mating with the female. If they are together when she has babies, they will eat them.

Don’t breed your hedgehogs, because you want to experience babies, or you have friends that want a baby hedgehog. Breeding is not an easy, fast, money making proposition. You risk the life of your female, everytime you breed her.

[Timeskimmer]

This is absolutely important information and I would like to point out that ALWAYS take precautions when breeding, be it mice, hedgies or dogs.

[Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Hedgiepets

How old should a male be before breeding? Males should be about 4 months old. But males and females alike, are capable of breeding at 7 weeks, but it is not healthy for them.

really? i thought males should be at least 5mo old.. thanks!

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by Albrecht

really? i thought males should be at least 5mo old.. thanks!

At 4 months, some males haven't quite reached fertility yet so may not be able to impregnate the girl. Usually it's not a problem but can happen on occasion.

[Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Nancy

At 4 months, some males haven't quite reached fertility yet so may not be able to impregnate the girl. Usually it's not a problem but can happen on occasion.

but its okay to start the male breeding at least 4mo old right? umm what are the adverse effects of breeding the male too soon?

[Nancy]

As I've already mentioned, he might not be fully fertile enough to impregnate the girl at 4 months.

[Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Nancy

As I've already mentioned, he might not be fully fertile enough to impregnate the girl at 4 months.

ahhh i see.. so there would be no alterations on their growth and development..? somebdy told me that it could hinder the male hedgehog's growth if you're to make him mate to soon..

[Nancy]

It's the female that it can not only affect their growth but be risky for them if bred before 6 months. The males just might not be up to the task yet.

[Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Nancy

It's the female that it can not only affect their growth but be risky for them if bred before 6 months. The males just might not be up to the task yet.

wow thanks so much for the help.. learned a lot.. thanks!!!

[Badme]

I just want to ask:

What is the standard gap between the 1st breeding and the second breeding? or in a year how often can a female be pregnant (base to standard breeding)? and up until what age we need to stop breeding her?

Coz for me I only breed my female twice a year or every 6 months. And I'll stop breeding my female if they reach to 2 & 1/2 years old. Coz base to what I read breeding them more than that years is too risky for the hedgehogs.