Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a colony of two males and three female mice. They have water, food, and sawdust as substrate. I have had them for about three weeks but none have given birth, it may be too soon but some should at least show evidence of being pregnant. Do I need more females to breed, more males. Any help would be great thanks.

Thanks,
Justin

>>I got a colony of two males and three female mice. They have water, food, and sawdust as substrate. I have had them for about three weeks but none have given birth, it may be too soon but some should at least show evidence of being pregnant. Do I need more females to breed, more males. Any help would be great thanks.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Justin

First, get rid of one of the males. They will either compete and one kill the other, or castrate each other or be too busy fighting they aren't breeding. Second, give them more time. Did you set up adult mice? Chances are that will take longer than if you got some young mice and set them up. Mice often don't look pregnant at all until a few days before popping when they are big as golf balls.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Thanks, the male mice weren't fighting but I'll take one out, it was on accident anyways. Also I'll give them more time. Thanks for the input.

Justin

Most people fail with mice because the temp is wrong. You have to maintain a good temp at all time or else the mles become sterile and if too cold the females wont breed. Also the less you interact with them the better, they are fearfull of attacks and every time you open up that rack it scares the hell out of them so keep that in mind too less involvement is sometimes better, also keeps down canibalization for fear tht thee babies have been discovered...