My friend just got some mice from her local pet shop. They look healthy enough but I was not at all impressed by this shop. He had males and females in together and didn't seem to know how old they were. I am surprised that he even managed to sex them properly (but I've checked and pretty sure they are both female). He said if they were pregnant she could bring the babies back (but I said I'd take some if it babies appeared rather they went back there!)

So rankled. There were bunnies all cooped up too. =[ Is it possible to report places like these?

At least these mice have a nice loving home now. I've warned her that they are probably inbred and to be prepared that they won't have long lives or have health problems.



.... Sooo, who wants pictures?!

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They've now just had two fights in the space of five minutes...

Just asserting dominance or should we be worried?

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Keep an eye on them make sure they are both females or both males.

Getting pictures of the bits might help so people on here can see if they can help.

How old are they?

Yu can report them to RSPCA and Trading standards.

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Don't know how old because they guy didn't have a clue. Neither of us have had mice before so we can't tell either, but I don't think they're too young as when he was looking at them to sex them their parts were quite defined.

I'll check them once they've settled in a bit. Assuming their parts look similar to robo hamsters, I should be fine.

Thanks, I'm gonna ring them tomorrow and report them.

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I found looking for nipples was easiest, obviously only females have them, wet the fur if you cant obviously see. Its unusual for females to fight but not unheard of.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

I reported the shop to the RSPCA and they said they'd check it out. =]

The fighting has stopped now so mus have just been because of being in a new cage.

However, my friend said that one of them is starting to look a bit plump and is concerned. =/

I did say she might just be enjoying a food bowl that she only shares with one other mouse and not 20, but the fact they were both housed with males makes it probable that one if not both are preggers.

I've had baby robo hammies before so I know some basics, but any specific tips for baby mice would be more appreciated.

And if anyone in the area would like some mice babies...

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The main difference between keeping baby mice and baby hamsters is that the females often help each other out with the raising, also you can touch the babies very early on, Zany Toon and Yorkshire Rose have both bred mice so would be good people to pm for info. Ive only had the two litters of mice but they pretty much did it all themselves, I gave higher protein food to the mums once the babies were born but no pre natal care really as I didnt realise they were pregnant till it was too late.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Thanks. =]

I was worried that the other mouse might be a problem but that's good to know.

I'll let her know. I'm sure she is capable of doing some research herself but it's always useful to get first hand knowledge.

I'm seeing her on Monday so I'll try and get a good look at their tummies.

She's going to Canada for a week on the 3rd, and her dad is looking after them for her. I'm sure he'd be well impressed if a litter of babies appeared while she was away!!

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You can have a problem with them stealing each others litters and also if one litter is much older than the other the older litter can use up all the milk supply but I think YR would probably be able to offer more advice about that,either way my two mouse mums helped each other a lot.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Poor girlies being in a pet shop like that I'm glad that you reported the pet shop though - fingers crossed that the RSPCA do something about it.

LIke TDM I found that the mum mice to the 2 litters I bred pretty much didn't need any help. Mice are very self sufficient when it comes to looking after their babies. This website is really good and I used it myself when I bred my 2 litters. Myth on here breeds mice quite often so I'm sure she can think of other things to suggest.
Fancy Mice

If your friend's mouse is starting to show and is pregnant, chances are that sit won't be long before she delivers them (they are normally only pregnant for 21 days so if you count 27 days (just to be safe ) from the day that your friend took them home it will give you the latest date that they would give birth as that is the last time that they would have been in contact with male mice .) Extra protein in the form of kitten/puppy milk, scrambled egg (no dairy added!), porridge or similar things will help the mum mouse cope when she has her babies. I also found that my two girls had their litters only a day apart and helped one another raise the babies.

Please keep us updated!

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Run free my beautiful rainbow babies. I love you.