A couple questions about breeding mice?

Just a couple quick questions about breeding mice
1. Is it ok to leave the females in with the male after giving birth?
2. Whats the coolest you can keep breeding mice?
Any other info is appreciated

Jake,



You can leave the females in with the males after they've given birth...some things to watch out for: sometimes first time mothers will canilbalize their young and the male may very well attack the babies if he was not the father.

I wouldn't go below 65 degrees for breeding...not that this will be detrimental to the mice, but breeding will start to lag...I shoot for 68 degrees in winter.

Hope this helps,

JT

Quote:

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Originally Posted by James Tomlinson

Jake,



You can leave the females in with the males after they've given birth...some things to watch out for: sometimes first time mothers will canilbalize their young and the male may very well attack the babies if he was not the father.

I wouldn't go below 65 degrees for breeding...not that this will be detrimental to the mice, but breeding will start to lag...I shoot for 68 degrees in winter.

Hope this helps,

JT

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Thanks
I was planning on using the garage which is about 40 degrees and add a couple 100 watt lamps above the cage to keep it warm enough. I think I'll go for 2 10 gallon tanks with 1.3 in each one and use the 4' by 2' stock tank as a grow out for adults until they are fed off or euthanized for the freezer

I am also a first time mouse breeder, about 4 months now :D I have left my 1.2 trio in a 10 gallon tank during and after birth. I just keep them all together and do "mix" them up after I setup the colony.

On a side note.... I have had two litters born about 7 days apart. They had the babies in the same nest and often share feeding responsibilities. I have noticed that the younger pinks struggle to nurse as the older ones seem to "muscle" their way to the nipple.

I keep them in the house so...room temps :)