Not Much Luck?

[rjyeley]

Hello... I have a question maybe someone can help with??? I've been trying to breed my own mice now for about 4 months... Right now I have 1 male to 3 females in a 10 gal. tank. In the past 6 or 7 weeks I have had 3 litters, 1st litter hade about 7 pinkies, the adult mice ate all but 2 and they had no tails looks as if they were chewed off... 2nd litter had about 9 after 3 days only 4 were left, all missing tails, and some with 1 or more legs missing... next day all were dead and gone... 3rd litter Friday morning 9 babys, went to feed last night 3 left, all with no tails... It seems one female is the only one giving birth... any suggestions? thought about feeding them all to my slithering childern and starting over... I'm so frustrated.
I wanted to raise my own feeders, but still have to go to Petco one time a week and buy 2 mice, 3 fuzzies, and a rat... (live mice $1.99 ea., fuzzy's $1.59 ea., Rat $8.99 ea.) I could live without the rat, I guess but my big girl eats about 4 or 5 adult mice or one rat a week.... My daughter Is saving her money for a Savannah Monitor, right now only $50 bucks, but she wants it she pays for it... So I will need the extra mice for that to, but I produces 2 feeders in about 4 monthes. what an I doing wrong?
I clean mouse tank 1 time a week, aspen bedding, I feed Kaytee Forti-diet, says 21% protein... I think its good food? $4.99 for 2 Lbs. Plus I give them some adult science diet dog food about one time a week... I'm at a loss, if anyone has an idea lay it on me....

Thanks Ron

1.1 Ball Pythons
Pacific Gopher snake
(soon to come) Savannah Monitor

[AK4900PA]

I don't breed rats (yet), but 1 male an 3 females together in a 10 gallon tank sounds really cramped. Maybe get 2 more tanks and just rotate the male through them. Do some reading on this site, there is a lot of good information here.

[4theSNAKElady]

I would keep them separate or put the females together in one tank and keep the male separate.Also provide multiple nest boxes for the females and see if that helps. Keep them busy with occupational therapy such as wheels and chew tubes, so they don't occupy themselves by chewing on the babies. hope this helps

[rabernet]

Knock on wood - so far so good. I had an unexpected litter of 8 to a very young female (by my calculations - she must have been 2 days pregnant when I picked her up as a feeder - and she didn't get eaten - thanks Kashmire!!!!).


She seems to be very attentive, they are about 3 or 4 days old (I noticed them on Saturday morning when I heard squeeking coming from her enclosure). I'm very proud of the little mom, even though I had not planned on having any litters - but I won't turn down free food!