Should I breed?       I set this page up, because so many people ask this question, and when given an answer, its maybe not the one they expected, and it feels like they are being targeted, but that's not what this thread is about. Its all about information. Its not here to make you feel threatened or defensive, its here just for you to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into when you do think about breeding. I've asked for people to give their views on why people should think before they breed. You might see some things that are repeated. I've copied and pasted peoples posts, onto a permanent web page for reference purposes. If there are more posts added to the origional thread they will be added to this web page. Please feel free to ask questions if you need to, and also feel free to add your thoughts whether its for or against. Here is the link to the thread it was taken from:- Breeding - For and Against. From: <NOBR>Cichlids4life</NOBR> Sent: 10/02/2005 02:27 I am partially for breeding and for not breeding. I think breeding is a wonderful experience everyone should have. But there are some things before you go on a breeding spree. Before you breed, find homes! That way your babies don't go as snake food. And the other thing is Do your research. Find out how many babies the breed you are trying to mate is going to have, and know about complications and needs. Breeding is awesome for me, but I do have a waiting list for babies before I breed.Sorry to Ramble on!   -Chelsea     From: <NOBR>Caradea1</NOBR> Sent: 10/02/2005 10:11 I am for responsible breeding and against irresponsible breeding.   Responsible breeding includes: - Having cages for all hamsters in case they don't get sold. - Knowing hamster genetics and knowing what could go wrong (eyeless, toothless whites, genetic abnormalities like kinked tail etc.) - getting good stock and not breeding from pet store stock which you can't provide their genetic history 100% - breeding for temperment not just for colour and breeding to better the hamster breed, not to just get a rare colour.   Irresponsible breeding include: - "I want more of my little baby!" - You won't get an identical copy of your hamster if you breed it - it's not cloning.   - "My friends want hamsters!" - how many of your friends are going to change their minds? How many friends do you have wanting babies since litters can be very large? What are you going to do with these babies if you can't find homes for them or if all your friends suddenly say "my mom won't let me"?   - "I want baby hamsters!" -talk to a responsible breeder about seeing baby hamsters or fostering. Some rescues will even foster out pregnant hamsters to good, quiet homes.   - "I want to start breeding but I can only get pet store stock" - then you shouldn't breed, should you? Do you want more ill-tempered hamsters out there giving hamsters as pets a bad name for always biting? You want to bring good, healthy, well-mannered hamsters into the world, not add to the problem.    - "I'll just give any 'extras' to the pet store they came from" - snake food possiblity, more likely contribuating to poor hamsterkeeping conditions unless you're very sure about the pet store you're giving them to and know their position on care is the same as your's.   - "I don't want to learn the genetics, I just want to breed for a hobby, not seriously" - breeding should be taken seriously and just taken lightly like a science fair project. What if the people you sell or give your hamsters to doesn't take it seriously either and breeds irresponsibly like you have? You will probably get ill-tempered and unwanted hamsters down the line that might have health problems due to their poor genetic background. We want strong, healthy, beautiful, well-mannered hamsters!   Okay I've stopped sounding like a nutcase for now Click to page 2