Hamster Breeding / Marketing



Get your game plan on  / Code of Ethics - Decide what code of ethics you will go by when dealing in the market place and in the pet community in general.  The goal is to be an ethical, reputable breeder of high quality hamsters.  
You have to do your studies, learing all about your species.  If you are not breeding to improve then you are not a breeder, but just a multiplier. A good breeder in well versed in all information about the species they are breeding. This includes knowing the lines, and backgrounds of the animals they are working with, including pedigrees and short comings.  To be a good breeder we must first work to raise hamsters that are healthy and of good temperament.  A good breeder will offer the goals they have set and the likely problems of any particular line.
An ethical breeder will constantly give their stock high quality foods and complete diet to enhance the potential of each animal, whether being bred or not.  Each breeding must make an attempt to improve on the line, trying to make each generation better.
Familiarity with show standards will help you meet the goals you set in your program, knowing the proper names for colors, patterns, coats and anything new that can occur in the genes of your species.
A reputable breeder will handle the pups when they are old enough and be concerned about the placement of thos babies.  A proper breeder helps to educate on the care of the animals they are breeding.
  From time to time, you may have health issues in your hamstery.  If there would be an example of wet tail in the group, I would feel obligated to stop all and any animals from leaving my place until this problem has been eleveated.  Never breed an animal that has experienced health issues, including those that recover from a bout of wet tail. You must quarantine any new animals coming into your stock for at least 2 weeks. .
Ensure you have a good exotic vet ready to help and familiar with you situation, if the need for vet care should arise.  This cost must be figured into your feasiability study.  At times you will be paying out much more then you ever get back from selling hamsters.  This is part of what I consider keeping my pets.
How will you handle retired breeders?  Any animal that is culled from breeding or past breeding age must be cared for in the same manner as those that are coming up or those that are in breeding now.  Selling retired animals that are otherwise sound as pets is perfect legit, as long as the buyer is aware of that animals age and condition.
When an animal is going to be euthanized, how will you handle that?  This is a good thing to cover with your vet before it actually comes up.

Will you be shipping animals?  This must be done by air express only. Dont let others fool you in to shipping by UPS, FedEx, the postal sercvice or other ground transportation sources.  Some people label the hamstes as reptiles. It is illegal to do anything other then full disclosrue air freight.

DO NOT:
Breed animals to sell and make money on "rare" colors.
Use pet store names like European black bear or calico.
Breed animals with health problems or bad temperament.
Breed to see how many babies you can produce

Selling to select retail and the public.