First time mice breeder advice

A week ago I brought home 1 male and 2 females from petco.Today one of the females had a litter. My newbie question is: I was planning on cleaning out the tub today, in light of the newborns, should I wait a certain period of time before handling the females and the newborns? I want to clean the tub but I don't want to make a rookie mistake if I can avoid it. Thanks.

Is the whole tub dirty? You could try lifting the general wad of the nest and dump the tub, then put the wad back down in the same spot. Or you could spot clean. I'm pretty sure mice are more sensitive to litter disturbance.

I would just spot clean specially first day she's got them normally with rats I give the girls a couple days till I start messing with anything too much. Not sure bout mice either tho

It's been 5 days since the substrate was changed. I think I'll just wait 3 to 4 days.

I usually only clean once a week, and if there are new babies, I wait 3 days before disturbing them, even if they're a little stinky. I'd rather have a stinky cage than risk mom killing the babies because she's stressed.

If I need to clean, I clean. Even if there are new borns. But since this is there first litter I would wait a few days. Don't be surprised if she still eats her babies.

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Originally Posted by Sita

I usually only clean once a week, and if there are new babies, I wait 3 days before disturbing them, even if they're a little stinky. I'd rather have a stinky cage than risk mom killing the babies because she's stressed.

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Once my mice have a litter, I leave them completely alone for a few days do I dot have to worry about mom eating the babies.

Oh I will be pissed if my mouse eats her babies! They are for the corn snake not her. LOL
I just got my first breeders yesterday. Hoping for the best!

First time moms tend to eat their first couple litters. Just a heads up.

As they came from petsco and not a breeder would avoid messing with the babies. Most of mine I can clean the cage at any time with no issues but I have had most of them for a few generations at this point. If the cage really needs cleaning you are usually ok cleaning all except the nest but if you can leave them for a 3 days that is the safest bet. The nest is usually the cleanest part of the cage and if your mom tries to move the babies when you open the cage I would even wait a 7-10 days if possible, USUALLY once the babies have fuzz most mom's are ok.

Thanks all. I waited 3 days then cleaned. They just sprouted hair and weigh about 5g a piece. So I guess I officially have fuzzies. So far so good.