When to wean?

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.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

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 :)