When to wean?

[Skittles46]

The first litter of our own is 21 days old today! I realized I've heard some different reports on when they should be weaned. I'm aware they *could* be weaned today, but wondering if they would be better off closer to 4 weeks? What works for everybody else?

They are eating, and drinking, but still nursing a lot as well. Their weights are good, and with 7 of them they're fairly big for no older than they are, don't know if that plays in either.

[daniel1983]

Are they eating solid food and drinking water yet?

I usually just watch until I see them eating food and drinking water.....then I take them from mom. No specific timeline for me.

[Skittles46]

Are they eating solid food and drinking water yet?

I usually just watch until I see them eating food and drinking water.....then I take them from mom. No specific timeline for me.

They've been eating and drinking, for about a week already, although I doubt they were ready to wean at 2 weeks old

I guess I'm hesitant while they're still nursing so much, but if it works I'll go for it too, business is business after all.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I usually wean at 3-4 weeks it depends. (The runts of the litter definitely don't get weaned before 4 weeks.)

[frankykeno]

I generally wean at about 3.5 to 4 weeks but will leave a few smaller ones with the momma for an extra week if it was a really big litter and a few didn't grow as fast as the others.

[Skittles46]

Should I go by weight at all? Out of curiousity I weighed them and they're all between 42 and 45 grams. Couldn't help but notice they qualify as "smalls" on rodentpro lol.

[Beardedragon]

i wean a week or two after they open their eyes, it all depends on the mouse.

[littleindiangirl]

I generally wean at about 3.5 to 4 weeks but will leave a few smaller ones with the momma for an extra week if it was a really big litter and a few didn't grow as fast as the others.

Yup! Most of my litters are born in the middle of the week, so by saturday/sunday, they are 3 1/2 weeks old.

[littleindiangirl]

Should I go by weight at all? Out of curiousity I weighed them and they're all between 42 and 45 grams. Couldn't help but notice they qualify as "smalls" on rodentpro lol.

That does seem small. My weaners are consistently over 50 grams, averaging 55-57 grams, sometimes even larger.

[Skittles46]

That does seem small. My weaners are consistently over 50 grams, averaging 55-57 grams, sometimes even larger.

Thanks, that lets me know a bit too. I think I'll wait til at least closer to 4 weeks and see how they're doing by cage cleaning time this week. They're growing fast still