Should I Breed? How Many to Breed?

[CntrlF8]

So, let's say I'm breeding mice instead of rats... Would you say that a 9 week cycle is appropriate? (3wk gestation, 3wk weaning, 3wk break)

[lord jackel]

So, let's say I'm breeding mice instead of rats... Would you say that a 9 week cycle is appropriate? (3wk gestation, 3wk weaning, 3wk break)

This sounds right for mice - which also means you only need 9 breeders for the weekly system.

Gestation in mice is 19-21 days
Weaning is about 21 days

Only thing to note is that mice can not breed for as long as a rat. Most rats have an effective breeding life of about 1.5 years while mice are only good for about 8 months. So in planning just keep in mind you will only be able to breed each mouse 4-5 times.

[littleindiangirl]

Thats about the same amount of time you will breed a rat. If they're good for 15 months, and with being bred on a 3 month schedule, you should in theory have only 5 -6 litters per rat. Unless you take them to the full 2 years of breeding status.

[CntrlF8]

Yeah I understand that.

Right now I've got 4bp's.. An adult female that will ONLY eat live mice (tried everything else, including all the scenting tricks and stuff) 2-3 per week is a good meal for her, two sub adults will eat almost anything 1-2 mice each per week, and the fourth is a juvenile who seems to be content with anything I give him so far, but he's only had live with me, and would be good for 1 maybe 2 mice a week once he's back in "good" condition.. He's named Bones for a reason, after all...

So, all tolled that's 5-9 small adult mice per week, and will be going up from there as I add more. I could probably get away with 7 breeders on the same schedule (2 week "down time" with no new litters at the end of the cycle), since a full litter of mice is typically 10-12 and at least 2, possibly 3 of mine will eat F/T without complaint.

EDIT: Also, breeding mice instead of rats gives me the luxury of not needing to worry about what to do with my breeders when they're done breeding. They just get added to the menu for the snakes...

[lord jackel]

Thats about the same amount of time you will breed a rat. If they're good for 15 months, and with being bred on a 3 month schedule, you should in theory have only 5 -6 litters per rat. Unless you take them to the full 2 years of breeding status.

Close but if you take out the rounding -

The mice schedule is about 9 weeks (~2 months) so in 8 months you could breed them 4 times.

Rats breed on 12 weeks (3 months) so in 18 months (1.5 yrs) you could breed them 6 times

2 more times for rats equates to 6 months of breeding time which is enough time for it to be significant that people need to remember mice cannot breed for as long.

[lord jackel]

Hey Everyone...the wonderful Judy was kind enough to attach the excel file to my original post so anyone that would like to download the chart and tweak it for their own use please feel free to.


Enjoy

Thanks again Judy.

[JLC]

Awww...my pleasure! I'm just here to help!

[Alice]

Great info Sean! Thanks

[frankykeno]

Hmmm I'd need an Excel sort of program for that wouldn't I (totally computer stupid here folks...be kind LOL)?

[lord jackel]

Hmmm I'd need an Excel sort of program for that wouldn't I (totally computer stupid here folks...be kind LOL)?

yes you do...but if you have another format(program) that works for you just shoot me a PM and I will try and convert it for you.