Birthday babies...

Today is my birthday, and I woke up to my mouse giving birth... so now I share my b-day with a litter of baby mice, LOL. I counted 12 when she was done, but could be off by a few - anything I need to do now, or just leave her alone? She did give birth to one apart from the rest, so I picked it up with tissue paper and put it with the litter. Hopefully it'll be okay, and doesn't smell like me at all. Anyway, here they are! :)

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2731.jpg

What's that eyeball-looking thing in the middle? :weirdface
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2732.jpg

:fest2::fest2::fest2:Happy Birthday Lolo:fest2::fest2::fest2:

P.S. I'm also a little worried, because I interrupted the actual birthing process... I was just checking to see if she'd had them yet (they hide in their huts), and caught her in the act. That's why one was dropped on the other side, and she did seem a little confused when I left. Will that cause a problem?? Guess if they don't make it, I'll just freeze them for my baby corn snake - he loves him a thawed pinkie. ;)

Aw, thanks twistedtails! :)

Happy Birthday... :fest::fest2::bday:

I'm convinced that the reason so many people have trouble with their mouse colonies is because they mess around with them too much. Mice like it dark and quiet and to be hidden away as much as possible. I just leave them alone except for cleaning and feeding and and usually end up with a nice crop of babies .

I cant be 100% sure, but I think that weird thing in the middle is a baby still in its sack.

Happy Birthday :D :D :D

To you and the lil pink jellybeans. :gj:


dr del

Thanks, Dr. Del! :D

I've checked on the babies a few times, and found 3 of them dead... but the others seem fine, squeaking and wriggling around a lot. The mom seems to be doing an okay job, and the other female is super protective of them too - she tries to bite me whenever I put my hand in the cage. I'll leave them alone now, and hope they figure everything out. :oops:

Congrats and happy belated birthday! Sounds like it all turned out ok.
There is one thing that I didn't realize about mice before I did some research.....Evidently they need to be in a very quiet environment. I read that when a mother mouse is cleaning her young she listens to whether or not they squeak. If she can not hear them squeaking (if they are in a loud room) they sometimes will assume that the baby is dead and will eat it. I thought that would be a nice tidbit of info to know.

Thanks all! To "accidental777," I keep their cage in my bathroom - the separate toilet/shower area with the door closed. So it's probably the quietest part of the house, and safe from the cats/dogs. :gj: Babies and mom are doing well, but it looks like only 6 ended up surviving. And the other female is looking really pregnant now, so hopefully she won't be far behind! Pictures from earlier today...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2859.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2860.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2862.jpg

Daddy on his beloved wheel
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF2866.jpg

Happy belated Bday. Mines on Sunday and I expect an ASF litter Monday so maybe itll work out for me that way too.

Sorry you only have six left. It's possible that she may have divided the litter. Sometimes Moms will hide the babies in two or three different places and dig up each group in turn when it's time to nurse them.

There did only end up being 6 babies, since I found the other 3 dead (froze them for my corn snake). But the survivors are thriving, and momma is doing great for a first-timer! Not sure this was all worth it for half a feeding, since I usually go through 10-15 mice weekly... so I'll probably end up feeding ALL of the mice off, once the babies are big enough. Anyway, here are some recent pics of the mouselets - almost too cute to feed. :oops:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF3253.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF3254.jpg

Nearly have their eyes open... probably will by tomorrow or the next day.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF3255.jpg