Weird, please read!!! Mouse in Labor

[atachamp]

So, my prego mouse was about to give birth. I had already separated the male and was filling up food dishes, water bottle etc, on my three cages. Momma mouse was in her nest and I just cleaned up a little bit. She then got out of the nest and to my surprise there was a pinky!!! I am like, let me get out of here , she is in labor.

So, I got out of the room but went to check on it before I went to bed (4 hours later). Still only one pinky!!!!! This morning when I checked, it looked like she was done birthing. Could not get a count, but at least 12. She was nursing and looked like one died and she ate the head.

My question is, does anybody know how long does the birth process take for mice. Is it normal to drop one and then nothing for 4 hours?????

Thanks,

Paula

[lord jackel]

They can postpone birth for days if needed in the event of a threat so that they can hide if needed. Total birth time usally takes several hours as she must clean each one...but since you walked in on her she pry got started and then stopped birthing (she may have eaten the one because she was scared - mice tend to do this)

My suggestion is to leave her alone as much as possible...she is clearly a nervous mouse and you don't want her to decide that her litter is at risk and kill them off.

Keep us posted.

[atachamp]

Thank you. We left her alone. My hubby just checked on her and said that she is nursing. I just thought that it was really weird that she birthed one and then 4 hours later still nothing.

It looks like she is done birthing and she is nursing now. Her first litter was 9 (all survived), second 19 (all survided) and now this one ... don't have a count yet, but will keep you posted.

Paula

[frankykeno]

Oh she's an experienced female then and sounds like a good, successful one. Almost all animals, especially those that are preyed upon, can stop the birthing process when they feel threatened. It's nature's way of ensuring the female's survival if she must abandon a birthing spot to find another safer one.

[atachamp]

Thanks everybody. Momma and pinkies are doing just fine. Have not been able to get an accurate count yet, but we have at least 15 pinkies!!!

Thanks,

Paula