About Mari Expertise I am able to answer general questions related to rodents, my area of expertise being mice. Feeding, keeping, breeding and the other aspects of mouse life!
Experience I have kept fancy mice for nearly 15 years, and currently have 20 mice and two gerbils.
Organizations Finnish Show and Pet Mice club Finland's Humane Society Education/Credentials Self-taught
Question Tara,
I want to get a couple of mice and a wanted to know a couple of things first. How old do the mice to be to breed? Are mice good moms there first litter? Also how big does a mice cage need to be?
thank,
Yvette
Answer First, I would suggest terrariums over cages. Mice are very sensitive to draft, and a terrarium provides them with alot more protection than a cage does!
40x30x35 cm is a good minimum terrarium size for one male (I assume you're planning to get a male if you're thinking about breeding). You should never keep mice in mixed sex groups! A terrarium of 80x45x34 cm is good for about 7-8 females.
Mice reach sexual maturity on the 4th-7th week, but you shouldn't use a female for breeding until her third-fourth month. Female mice are generally good mothers, but often they'll be confused with their first litter. Some may abandon their young, or even kill and eat them. Do not disturb the nest at least for four days after you suspect the female has given birth!
