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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

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

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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 :)

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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.

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I just go by age and my own experience since my weights on our feeders are always well over what Rodentpro weighs out for each age.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I just go by age and my own experience since my weights on our feeders are always well over what Rodentpro weighs out for each age.

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I've noticed that, all of mine are well above the weight range for rodentpro and the vast majority of the other online frozen companies. I wonder what the difference is?

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Originally Posted by Skittles46

I wonder what the difference is?

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Keep in mind that taking care of a small colony the way most of us do is just not possible with 100000 of thousands animals.

Difference is likely in the care (Less stress, better diet, rest for the breeders etc)

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Keep in mind that taking care of a small colony the way most of us do is just not possible with 100000 of thousands animals.

Difference is likely in the care (Less stress, better diet, rest for the breeders etc)

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*deep sighs* I figured that was probably the case. Wonder how large you could get and still take care of them the same way....We are headed for fairly large, as we are looking to make a business out of it, but I'd rather not give up quality along the way.
I can't help but wonder if there's any realism to possibly being able to charge slightly more for better quality....my mind claims no though.