when is it ok to clean w/ babies?

[daniel1983]

One of my female mice had babies on 4/9 and the last time I really cleaned the cage was on 4/8. What should I do to clean with babies in the tank? I had read not to disturb the babies but that is kinda hard to do when you clean. Any advice is welcome.

[SatanicIntention]

Shouldn't be a problem. You can always use a glove or something and pick the babies up in a bundle, including some of the bedding, place in a bucket with mom, clean cage, and be done with it. Mom mice usually keep their nest clean, so you shouldn't have to worry about that for awhile. I would say you could pick them up individually next week and just clean everything. I never had a problem with gerbils, mice, rats, etc picking up their babies to handle or to clean the cage.

[daniel1983]

thanks becky...you are always such a help

[SatanicIntention]

Glad to be of service

[daniel1983]

well I just cleaned out all but a quarter of the tank where the nest is. I figured I would just leave it alone. I guess that will do until next week. I left a little peanut butter treat for the girls just incase they got mad for me messing with their stuff

[SatanicIntention]

I'm sure they will be happy about that. If you want to give them something to be really happy about, try a pig ear for dogs. They are $0.99 usually and you can cut it up and let them have at it. Keeps their teefers down.

[Ginevive]

well I just cleaned out all but a quarter of the tank where the nest is. I figured I would just leave it alone.

I do that too. I am always overly worried about stressing the mother out. I just clean around the nest until the babies are semi-weaned.