Help me set up a tank for rescues?

by newmousiemommie Sun 19 Jun 2016, 11:13 am

Hi all! I rescued some feeder mice yesterday. Right now, they're in a medium sized Critter Keeper. Tomorrow, I'll be getting a real cage from a coworker. From reading online, I'm guessing they're about a week or so old? Maybe closer to two weeks? Their eyes are beginning to open.

What kind of bedding would you suggest? I've seen people say fleece, polyfil, etc...

I'm basically just wondering how to keep these babies comfy while we get them to the "I can live without my mommy" stage. We're still feeding them with a syringe right now.

by EverythingAnimal Sun 19 Jun 2016, 12:47 pm

I don't know much about baby mice but as for bedding I would suggest something paper based such as shredded newspaper/paper towels or a commercial paper bedding. I would also provide bits of tissue or fleece to lie on to make them more comfortable. Aspen and fleece alone are safe, but I believe that paper makes them more comfortable (I used to use aspen but I switched to paper and now I'm never going back). Make sure to get them a hide as well if you haven't already, a nice dark safe place for them.

by MouseLover Sun 19 Jun 2016, 1:52 pm

I second what everythinganimal has said. They'll appreciate a little house or cardboard box, so they feel more hidden and safe. Aspen is safe but paper-based products are your best bet as they are comfier and more hypoallergenic.

I wonder if at their age they would benefit from some kind of heating pad? As usually they would still be with their mother, who would help keep them warm. At least they have each other though!

Do you have any idea what sex they are? If they are both boys and girls they will need to be separated at 4 weeks to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

by peas Sun 19 Jun 2016, 2:07 pm

Make sure you keep the temperature at your house warm enough. Mice do best at 72-74 degrees F. And yes look into a heating pad under their bin. I do not know much about baby mice but you should really look around on here specifically about caring for babies.

by Artistwolf Sun 19 Jun 2016, 2:14 pm

Maybe having a look at this could help: http://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t41-caring-for-babies-birth-through-weaning
It's not really about orphans, but it's a good place to start IMO. What are you feeding them?

Edit: Oh, wait, this is better!! Read this instead (or as well, it couldn't hurt): http://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t42-caring-for-orphaned-mice
I hope that helps!

by CinnamonPearl Sun 19 Jun 2016, 3:13 pm

When you get a cage, make sure it's a glass aquarium tank with a screen top and not a barred cage. With mice that young, they'll slip out of any barred cage easily. Only an aquarium is safe for them.

Something else to consider is that once these babies reach four weeks of age, all of the boys will need to be separated into their own ten gallon tank, and all of the girls will need an appropriately sized tank for how many there are. Usually craigslist is the best place to go for cheap tanks.

by newmousiemommie Sun 19 Jun 2016, 3:21 pm

I believe I've sexed them, and they seem to be about 2 weeks! I'll read up on the links! Thanks!

by CinnamonPearl Sun 19 Jun 2016, 3:21 pm

That's good! How many boys and girls have you got?

by peas Sun 19 Jun 2016, 5:50 pm

Sexing young mice can be really difficult. You may want to do a vet visit, if it is safe to do so at this age i don't know, to be sure.

by CinnamonPearl Sun 19 Jun 2016, 6:50 pm

You can also post pictures for us, and we can make sure of their sexes for you.

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