Set-up for mouse breeding.

A few years ago, I decided to raise my own rodents. Although I was successful, I soon learned that I was allergic to rodent dander and after a year of suffering, I had to abandon the project.

Regardless, The system that I employed, worked well.

I purchased a number of cheap 10gal aquariums. they are available at most pet stores for $8.00 or $9.00 ea. I then purchased a roll of 1/4" x 1/4" hardware cloth at the local DIY store. From the hardware cloth, I fashioned lids for the aquariums.

These lids would fit snugly over the aquariums. I then cut out a section on one side of the lid 6" x 8" long. Using more hardware cloth, I fashioned a drop-down section which would fit within the cut-out portion and drop down about six inches into the aquarium. This section was split into two sections allowing for a water bottle on one side and food on the other. This setup made it very easy to provide fresh water and food without actually entering the enclosure.

For bedding, I chose Aspen. It is very absorbant and only required a change-out, once a week.

For food, I opted to use Harlan rodent chow which is available at some feed stores, or can at least be special ordered by them.

I set up each cage with one male and four females. The pinky production was steady and easy to care for. I set aside six of these cages for grow-outs, to accommodate larger animals, and to, provide for breeder change-out.

It was a reasonable efficient system which was built at minimal cost and required minimal maintenance.

Good luck with your breeding efforts.

Thanks a lot.

Ouch, the pet store here is a ripoff. The ten gallons are around $15 I believe. How expensive is hardware cloth? I'm interested in looking into that. I like your methods and such. Thanks for the details.

I have another question now. Will only the male try to eat the babies or will the other females try as well? Also, I was wondering if taking the male out and reintroducing him after a day or two will encourage breeding any?

Much appreciated.

Wal-Mart's 10 gallon tanks are around $9 and change. A yard sale is even better. I have a ton of them that I only paid around $1 for.

If you remove the male, most likely when you put him back in the females will kill him. I keep mine together all the time. After the mice have grown up, it's really hard to introduce another mouse to the breeding group.

I don't know why they sometimes eat the babies but that's just something you have to deal with. I give mine two chances. If babies are eaten a second time, then I feed off the entire group and start over with hoppers.

As for hardware cloth, if you buy it in a small roll, it's pretty cheap. Check out hardware stores, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.

What is the difference in alfalfa and timothy hay? Which do you guys prefer for rodents?

Yard sales: I'm going in the morning, wish me luck.

Anything on timothy hay and alfalfa anyone? Thanks.

I have a quad of breeding mice (1 male, 3 females). They are housed in a 10 gallon aquarium with a mesh lid. I have a 16 oz water bottle for them and a 10 oz stainless steal food bowl. I feed a rodent mix along with with mixed dried fruit and hard cat food. For toys, I have a stainless steal wheel and TP tubes. My mice have been very productive and have produced nice big litters. My last litter consisted of 18 babies (17 live, 1 still born). And, I personally would never feed them alfalfa or timothy...

Why would you not feed them alfalfa or timothy?

Originally Posted by Chris Steele

What is the difference in alfalfa and timothy hay? Which do you guys prefer for rodents?

I believe alfalfa is a more quality hay than timothy. I'm really not an expert on hay by any measure but alfalfa hay usually costs more. It shouldn't hurt your mice to eat hay but they really don't need hay at all. Besides hay is messy, messy, messy.

Originally Posted by Chris Steele

Yard sales: I'm going in the morning, wish me luck.

I love yard sales. How did you do? Any terrific buys? About 10 years ago I bought a Minolta camera with an 80-200 zoom lens for $2. I figured it didn't work and the lens was worth a lot more than $2. There was nothing wrong w/that camera and I still use it today.

Two of my females are most definately pregnant, should I remove the males?