Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I have a question. A little over a month ago, I purchased 2 colonies of mice to breed to feed my collection. I have each set up as one male to 5 females. They are all healthy and fine...but no babies! I've heard Sonya discuss a socialization period in rats. Does the same apply to mice? If so, how long does it last? I'd appreciate any comments or advice anyone can offer.

Thanks!

Yes there is a socializaton time for the mice. It will last a week or two and then the female has to go into heat. Also, your mice my not be old enough to breed and by that I mean the males. The females need to be around 3 to 6 months. The males need to be 4 to 7 months old and maybe a little older. I have several groups that are old enough but the male is not. Some of them only two females in a 1/4 group have babies. I will wait for them to grow up and they have two more months to do so or they are food. So my advice is give it some time.

Am I reading the above post correctly? Male mice are suppose to be that old to breed?? Mine are usually breeding before they are 3 mos old. Craig

>>Hi everyone,
>>
>>I have a question. A little over a month ago, I purchased 2 colonies of mice to breed to feed my collection. I have each set up as one male to 5 females. They are all healthy and fine...but no babies! I've heard Sonya discuss a socialization period in rats. Does the same apply to mice? If so, how long does it last? I'd appreciate any comments or advice anyone can offer.
>>
>>Thanks!

Yup, mice will give you a run around and if you change anything during that time they will take even longer. So don't go adding girls or changing boys etc. Mice are touchy.
I would also say.....don't start with adults unless they are obviously pregnant females. I tend to start with probably 20 gram mice. Give or take, that is about 6-8 wks (I think... it is late here) Give them a month and you should see fat ladies getting ready to explode.
I find, once I have mice going, that if I want to set up a new colony or continue one I just grow up a son/daughter now and then. (remembering that once you grow a boy up past weaning you should take out the worn out male.) To 'add' more girls I just grow up a daughter now and then. If I see a tumory older girl, or know they have been at it for more than 8 months I pick a few promising weanlings to leave in and grow up. That way they never leave the group and there isn't a wait til they breed.
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Sonya

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

Thank you! That's good advice, and much appreciated