Can they live outside?

[Lolo76]

I'd really like to start breeding mice again, since it's getting a bit ridiculous to buy mice for 26 snakes! I have about 15-16 of them on frozen, so those are purchased online for a good price (I split shipping with 2 local herper friends). But for the live feeders, I'm spending a good $30/week on these darned mice.

My problem with breeding is mostly space & smell-related, since I live in a 700sf apartment... and with 3 cats, 1 dog and 26 snakes, it's already WAY crowded in here. Not to mention, my four-legged pets are incredibly annoying when rodents are in the house (bothering them, whining, etc). So I was thinking, at least during the summer, that maybe I could put a mouse colony on the balcony? I currently live in San Jose, CA, where the weather is incredibly mild - averages in the mid 70s-80s all summer, rarely hitting the low-90s. Even in the winter it's pretty mild, with daytime averages in the 50s/60s. Would they survive outside in this kind of climate?

[Lolo76]

P.S. My balcony is partially covered (and a tree in front), so they would have a good amount of shade.

[Shawnfireball]

Haev you considered breeding African Soft furred rats? I heard they dont have as bad as a smell as other rodents like mice and rats too. Some even say they have no smell at all. I dont know.. but the next time i go to my local petstore, im going to ask the owner if he can order a pair of AFSR for me. (: I want to start breeding feeders myself too.

[Rhasputin]

They will not survive in those temperatures without an insulated surrounding, and temperature control.

[Lolo76]

Haev you considered breeding African Soft furred rats?

Wish I could, but they're illegal here in California...

[Lolo76]

They will not survive in those temperatures without an insulated surrounding, and temperature control.

So, just how warm do they need it to be? My last colony lived indoors in San Francisco, where it was MUCH cooler (even inside)... I didn't use any heating devices, and they seemed perfectly fine.

Btw, I was only thinking of keeping them outside through summer/fall... once the temps started to drop, I'd either feed them off or move them inside. Not sure if you understood that, since I may have confused you by mentioning winter temps.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Well I actually had a colony outside all winter last winter and it hit zero. I had zero die offs! Now I'm guessing that was a fluke because I doubt you could rely on them surviving at that temp but the bigger issue is if they do survive you'll get zero production. Too hot or too cold = no mouse nookie = no mouse babies

[Rhasputin]

I would say keeping them between 60 and 70 would be best. But also keep in mind that the more uncomfortable they are, the less likely they are to produce for you.

Mice -can- survive in freezing temperatures, but are MUCH less likely to breed, and even if they do they may eat their young, or they may die from the cold.

Hot temperatures have the same effects.

[azmodane]

As previously stated there's a chance that they will survive, but at the cost of production. Even if it is 80's outside on your balcony what about putting a fan out there to help try and cool it down a little? Or when I was breeding in my garage I would just use frozen water bottles on top of each level of my rack to help with some cooling as well. It seemed to work but not as great as a climate controlled area.

[Naginibellatrix]

i threw mine outside a while ago.

make sure theyre is a lot of ventilation. and during the winter throw a tarp over it or something. bugs shouldn't be able to get in, so a tank (or cheaper a plastic tub, which i have.)

no means of escape or predators, obviously.

also-- is it a musk or is it poop. if its poop stop feeding them seeds and no dairy.

edit----------------

also!!!! for when theyre too cold to ya know.. -cough- -cough- just make sure you freeze babies from the summer, thats what iddo