How long should male mice be out of their cage?

by AllThingsGeeky Sun 02 Apr 2017, 1:09 pm

How long should male mice be out of their tanks? I've heard that since male mice can't live with a colony they need about an hour out of the cage, but the more people I ask I get different answers. One hour, thirty minutes, two hours, etc. So I ask here. Male mouse parents, how long is your boy out of his cage? Undecided

by scaredymouse Sun 02 Apr 2017, 4:25 pm

First thing you need to know is that mice shouldn't be out of their tank longer than 30 minutes at a time, unless they have access to a water bottle. I think 30 minutes is a good time to shoot for every day. I think 15 minutes twice a day would be even better. And there are lots of ways you can do it. Sometimes I just stick one on my shoulder and go make my coffee or something. Sometimes if i'm busy, I'll just plop him in the playground for a while. But I make sure they all get on one on one time everyday. Even if it's just 15 minutes. Anyway, if you have more that 30 minutes a day to give them, by all means do it! But that's all they *need*.

by AllThingsGeeky Sun 02 Apr 2017, 4:54 pm

I meant with a water bottle. ^^' No matter how long I take my crittters out water is always available. Also thank you!

by River Sun 02 Apr 2017, 5:19 pm

I've never owned a boy, but I thought I'd add to this.

Even if they have a water bottle available, some mice will get nervous if out for too long at a time. My Maier cannot stay out more than 15 minutes at a time without becoming distressed and asking to go home. Graham can (and loves to) go for much longer.
That said, your mouse might dictate how much playtime they get a day! Maier only gets 30 a day, in 15 minute sessions, but Graham gets an hour in 30 minute sessions. This might not be for all mice, but its a thought.

by CallaLily Tue 04 Apr 2017, 2:08 pm

When I had Daryl, he'd ask to come out every morning and every evening. There were some mornings that I overslept or he went to bed early, but those were rare. He slept soundly in between for the most part, but occasionally he would wake up in the afternoon and ask to come out for a bit and if I was up late and he asked to come out, I would get him out then too. But it was mainly once in the morning and once in the evening, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes each time. I'd say, on average he got about 45 min to 1 hour each day. I'm not sure it was enough, to be honest. Even with giving him tons of things to do and changing things up often in his tank.

by stephlisa Tue 04 Apr 2017, 2:46 pm

My boy Colin is often out of his cage for over an hour each day (obviously with water always available). He's a sociable little boy and is always asking to come out and play and never wants to go home!
I think boys should have as much time with you as you can give them because otherwise it must be very lonely for them!

by KellysMom Fri 19 May 2017, 8:44 am

What do u all mean by the mouse asks to come out? I have only had a young Mouse for a few weeks(hw still syringe fed, he is basically out with us all the time and we always have a little syringe with baby formula in it and offer it to him every hour , or whenever he licks my hand

by CallaLily Fri 19 May 2017, 2:59 pm

KellysMom wrote:What do u all mean by the mouse asks to come out?

With Daryl, he'd run to the top of the cage as soon as he saw me and made it very obvious he wanted to come out. When I opened his tank and offered my hand he'd climb right on and let me lift him out. He liked to hang out in my hood or sleeve.

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