Quote Originally Posted by snakecharmer3638 View Post
Jay... nobody touched on the temperature issue. Mice seem to produce better in cooler temps. High 60's to low 70's. 80 is probably not to high but I think you'll get better production at a lower temp.
You are exactly right! I've been breeding mice for a couple of years now and temperature and ventilation are the two biggest players. My mice produce double at 70 as they do at 80. Also the aquarium deal is terrible for ventilation (been there too). Even if you do not have space, tools, or skills to build a rack system, pick up a couple of litter pans, some 1/4" hardware cloth, and some 1x2's. Make a simple rectangular frame to fit tight around the top of the tubs, staple the hardware cloth on top and use it like a lid. This will do two things for you... decrease the height of the container (increasing ventillation), and with the dark sides and low semi-ceiling it will make them feel more secure. I'm not saying that aquariums will not work because they will, but the pans work much better for me. And about separating the females... this also works for some, but in my experience I've found that moving established group members and reintroducing them causes aggression problems. I never break up a group of breeders or introduce new members (even to the point of if a female dies the only way I replace her is I'll leave one of the daughters in the tub to grow out). Sure there is a possibility that you may loose a litter or two to cannabilism at first (not to say that you will because I very rarely do), but then things will settle down and the group will work together to take care of the babies. Also, with setting up new groups from animals that I have produced, I make sure that the whole group was weaned together. Not necessisarily from the same litter but at least grown up together in the same growout bin. Have patience with your mice as others have said (and so few actually do), keep them cool, make them feel secure, and give them plenty of ventilation and you will be over run before you know it.