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i mean unless he knows what hes doing and has the appropriate things needed then i guess it could be easy but i need my hedgies pedigree first and make sure theres no whs
Breeding basics
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I think that most of the time, breeding goes fine and nothing happens to anyone, and everyone is healthy. But there IS the risk, so that's why I know I'm leery on the idea. He's probably just confident because of previous experience with breeding animals in general, but it never hurts to be cautious, IMO. Especially since after the babies, the female stands at the most risk, not the male. And as you said, it never hurts to try calling the breeder and asking! 
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Breeding hedgehogs isn't like breeding other animals. Hedgehogs are notorious for being difficult when it comes to breeding, and confidence based on experience with breeding other animals would worry me personally.
I would also suggest discussing with him how you would split the costs - costs of any possible vet visits/emergencies, the cost of the additional supplies. The babies are born where the mother is, and when they're weaned, they'll need their own cages (and all the supplies that go along with cages). I would want to know who's going to be responsible for that. And, when it comes down to it - what if she dies? Will you be reimbursed somehow?
Where are the babies going to go? Are you going to be able to find homes for as many as 6-7 babies? (Litters can be as much as 9-12, though without having a second female that can foster, 7 would probably the most you can expect to survive.) You should have potential homes lined up ahead of time.
Whether she's a good choice to be bred depends on more than just having a clean pedigree. Body type, for one thing. Little things about the personality.
And, yes, because you own the female, you have the most to lose. It's not common, but not rare either. Mothers can die. Complications can happen. You always think it'll happen to someone else, not to you, but that's not realistic. The first time we bred, the female had a breach baby stuck inside of her for well over 6 hours. We had no way of knowing; we thought it was just a litter of one. Thankfully, she was able to get the breach baby out on her own, and it ended up being a healthy litter of three. If she hadn't gotten it out on her own, she could have died, or would have needed surgery to have it removed. That kind of thing doesn't happen a lot - but that's not the same as not happening at all.
I would also suggest discussing with him how you would split the costs - costs of any possible vet visits/emergencies, the cost of the additional supplies. The babies are born where the mother is, and when they're weaned, they'll need their own cages (and all the supplies that go along with cages). I would want to know who's going to be responsible for that. And, when it comes down to it - what if she dies? Will you be reimbursed somehow?
Where are the babies going to go? Are you going to be able to find homes for as many as 6-7 babies? (Litters can be as much as 9-12, though without having a second female that can foster, 7 would probably the most you can expect to survive.) You should have potential homes lined up ahead of time.
Whether she's a good choice to be bred depends on more than just having a clean pedigree. Body type, for one thing. Little things about the personality.
And, yes, because you own the female, you have the most to lose. It's not common, but not rare either. Mothers can die. Complications can happen. You always think it'll happen to someone else, not to you, but that's not realistic. The first time we bred, the female had a breach baby stuck inside of her for well over 6 hours. We had no way of knowing; we thought it was just a litter of one. Thankfully, she was able to get the breach baby out on her own, and it ended up being a healthy litter of three. If she hadn't gotten it out on her own, she could have died, or would have needed surgery to have it removed. That kind of thing doesn't happen a lot - but that's not the same as not happening at all.
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my two cents, if your worried about breeding your hedgehog cause something may go wrong, and the purpose you would breed your hedgehog for is so that your friend can make money, you shouldn't do it.
Making money is a bad a reason, especially because like Moxie said, you have the most to lose.
Making money is a bad a reason, especially because like Moxie said, you have the most to lose.
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i think you guys are right.. thats why im leaning more towards NO on breeding her. i just have a feeling hes in it for the money for personal reasons and i dont wanna risk my babies life but however whenever i can i would be interested in adopting another one in the future. come to think of it i do remember that my breeder said that it was hard to breed hedgies, i didnt ask why at the time but i should of. it made me curious though.
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I think that's a good decision. You can always get another hedgehog from a breeder - a female is better. She wouldn't be able to be housed with your current girl, but they could interact outside of their cages, supervised playtime, etc. Females usually get along well enough for that.
Hedgehogs are difficult because the mothers are very sensitive and can eat or hurt their babies because of any little bit of stress. The mortality rate of baby hedgehogs is very high. There are other reasons, like how breedings are less successful in the autumn/winter, but the high chance of mothers cannibalizing babies (compared to a lot of other species) and the smaller litters (compared to rodents) is the main reason why they're known to be hard to breed.
Hedgehogs are difficult because the mothers are very sensitive and can eat or hurt their babies because of any little bit of stress. The mortality rate of baby hedgehogs is very high. There are other reasons, like how breedings are less successful in the autumn/winter, but the high chance of mothers cannibalizing babies (compared to a lot of other species) and the smaller litters (compared to rodents) is the main reason why they're known to be hard to breed.
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As long as he has a strong, clean pedigree, yes. Males can't be "injured" per se by breeding young or old, just know that their libido/sperm count won't be as good when they're still babies or when they get older. 1 year old is totally fine.
Males can't be "injured" per se by breeding young or old, just know that their libido/sperm count won't be as good when they're still babies or when they get older. 1 year old is totally fine.2nd year breeding my hedgehog who will turn two in september. Last years breeding was very successful with three healthy babies. She had them exactly at 34 days and was very active building a nest several days before. Today is her 34th day. She has been very sluggish and in the past week will only get up and move around if I get her up. It does not appear as though she has made a nest. Could this mean the pregnancy did not take, or could she be having a longer gestation the second time around? Thanks!
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It'd probably be better for you to post a new thread with your questions so the experienced breeders will see it. A couple things to think about though - what temperature is her cage? Is she getting enough light (12-14 hours, usually best to supplement with a lamp)? Is she eating & drinking normally? I would personally be very concerned if a potentially pregnant hedgehog were acting very lethargic & would schedule a vet appointment ASAP, or at least call your vet.
A couple things to think about though - what temperature is her cage? Is she getting enough light (12-14 hours, usually best to supplement with a lamp)? Is she eating & drinking normally? I would personally be very concerned if a potentially pregnant hedgehog were acting very lethargic & would schedule a vet appointment ASAP, or at least call your vet.
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Just popping in here with a quick question: at what as do you guys suggest retiring a female from your breeding program? Would you vary this depending on if the girl was bred every 8-12 months instead of every 6?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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I assume you mean they go through hedgie menopause and -cant- breed anymore at that age?
Thank you, Nancy!!
Thank you, Nancy!!
Thanks for the info. I'm not interested in breeding, but I adopted a "retired" female. I was surprised that she was retired at only 9 month old. But now I see that she probably had 1 litter. Maybe she wasn't good breeding stock? Who knows. We're just keeping each other company while she enjoys her retirement.
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Are you saying they live together? If so, NO that's not ok.
Even if you were trying to breed it's still not ok. the female is too young.
How long have they been together? I would assume she could be pregnant already.
Jeeze, Hopefully they aren't brother and sister
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Can the female be 5 months old ?
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They are physically capable of becoming pregnant at 6 weeks old. So it could happen at 5 months old, but it's better to wait. Keep in mind they're babies until 6 months old. You want to give them time to mature before putting them through such a stressful experience.
So, I understand why you don't breed a female for the first time after the age of one because her pelvis(?) will have fused by then. However; why is it okay to breed after the age of one if she was already bred before then? Like, what is it that happens (or perhaps doesn't happen) when she's bred before the age of one that will make it okay after that age?
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