weaning mice from mom

[ballpythonluvr]

I have four little baby mice that just opened their eyes yesterday. Is now a good time to wean them from mom or do they need a little more time? They are now eating a little bit on their own too.

[HighVoltageRoyals]

Generally, it's good to wait 4 weeks before weening them from mom. When were they born?

[ballpythonluvr]

They were born three weeks ago. Thank you for your response by the way.

[HighVoltageRoyals]

S'all good. I'd just leave them in there with momma for another 3-5 days and then separate by sex before the "sexy parts" develop so they don't produce with each other (when I bred, I liked to keep the lines as separate as possible to avoid any sort of birth defect or mental defects but inbreeding is generally considered ok if you want to go that route).

[ballpythonluvr]

S'all good. I'd just leave them in there with momma for another 3-5 days and then separate by sex before the "sexy parts" develop so they don't produce with each other (when I bred, I liked to keep the lines as separate as possible to avoid any sort of birth defect or mental defects but inbreeding is generally considered ok if you want to go that route).

Ok, great! Thanks again for your quick response!

[Naginibellatrix]

i always separate a day or two after the entire litter has their eyes open. i did an experiment and the only difference is a slight drop in weight, but they quickly catch up. and as adults end up weighing more then those that stayed with their mom, though it could have been coincidence i doubt it.

It just forced them to learn how to eat solids earlier. it may take a day or two for them to figure it out. if they dont just cram some food in their mouth until they chew it and then presto.

while they were weaning though instead of water i had diluted almond milk, which has NO nutritional value and is lactose free,but they like it better then water as bubs. then after you start to visually see that theyre eating a lot switch to water.


thats just what i do ^.^

[Rhasputin]

Don't separate them until they're ready, unless you want to have malnurished and skiddish mice, really.

About 4 1/2 weeks is usually when they should come out. I don't even count, I just look and see what's going on, and pull them out when they're not nursing any more. Sometimes I leave them in longer, they usually don't breed until they're at least 6 weeks.

[Bill T]

Ive always read 3-4 weeks and they can be seperated. my last litter is eating and drinking on thier own and they are a little over 3 weeks old. It can vary so just take a few looks at them and see what they are doin