| Breeding |
| When thinking about breeding mice there are several things to consider before attempting. First you must be sure that you will be able to find homes for all of the babies once the time comes. Remember that selling to pet stores can mean that they will be used to feed reptiles. Also, even if they aren't fed to reptiles they can often be kept in dirty, overcrowded cages haboring diseases. It is best to know that you have willing mouse lovers that will take your babies as pets. That way you can be sure that they are taken care of properly. |
| When breeding, it is important to choose both your male and female carefully. Some things to consider is that both parents are healthy physically and have a pleasing personality. Be sure that they have a good temperment so your offspring will inherit their disposition. If you are breeding for a certain color offspring it is good to educate yourself on the dominant and recessive genes of coat colors. You can find more information about colors at the Finn Mouse Site. You will also want to make sure that your female is fully grown before breeding her so that her growth is not stunted. Usually after 4 months it is ok to breed. After you can made sure that your male and female pass these simple requirements you are ready to start breeding. |
| Choosing Your Breeding Mates |
| Neccessary Facts |
| heat cycle of female- every 4-5 days gestation period- average 21 days litter size- 8-12 average |
| -Once the male and female are together for about a week the female should be pregnant. I recommend removing the male because the female will come in heat shortly after giving birth and by removing the male now, it will prevent this unwanted pregnancy. |
| During/After Birth Instructions |
| The female will not need help while giving birth. Please do not disturb her while she is in labor. You will know when the babies have arrived when you hear squeaking coming from inside the breeder box. Do not bother your mommy mouse or her babies for at least 3-5 days. You can fill the food bowl and make sure the water bottle is full. If you bother the babies or the mommy before the 3-5 days, there is a possibility that she will feel threatened. This is one reason that female mice eat their babies. She will also eat a baby if the baby is too sick to live. It seems bazaar, but it is mouse nature. I do recommend that you start to handle the babies after about 5 days or at least before their eyes open (around 10 days old). At this time you can get an idea of how many boys and how many girls you have. The girls will have nipples, but male mice do not. This will help you later when you need to separate them. |
| Weaning |
| Around 3 weeks of age, the babies will reach the "flea" stage. This is when they get very jumpy when touched. You can still handle them, but just be extra careful. They are capable of jumping right out of your hands. While in your hands, hold them over their cage so if they do fall, they will land back in the cage. About 4-5 weeks of age, the babies are ready to be weaned from their mother. You will need to sex each baby and separate the males from the females. You can compare their genitals; boys will have a further distance between the anus and genitals. Keep in mind the number you counted when they were first born of how many had nipples. That will come in handy. Have two cages (one for boys and one for girls). Its important to check everyday for any sudden genital changes. The males' testicals will soon drop and it will be a definate way to sex them, although its best to already have them separate before the testicals drop. It is also important to handle the babies as much as possible. This will help them get very tame. The more they are handled the better. |
| Diet for Young Mice |
| Young mice will need a high protein diet consisting of sunflower seeds, dog biscuits, and lots of millet. Give them an endless supply of food at first and then level the amount to about a teaspoon per mouse per day. Once your young mice are separated, their sex is definate, and they are on solid foods, they are ready to go to their new homes. Remember that mice are much happier when in groups so if you have someone who wants to purchase a mouse from you be sure that they will be in a group. Also keep in mind that male mice are better introduced while young or when in the same litter. |
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