My oh would really love to get into mouse breeding. I would too as the whole watching life being made, born and then growing sounds fascinating and amazing!! Especially after I've been able to see my two new pet mice growing from day 1!

I know it's not always as beautiful as I'm imagining and it would be hard letting the mice go to new homes but I'm wondering should I consider it. My two girls are from a very experienced breeder. Du the mum is a very sweet and gentle little lady who is atm fostering another mouses litter. Their dad Aslan is also a very lovely little boy who they are very proud to show off! There has been no health issues whatsoever and there has been no behaviour problems either. I would love to breed for health and temperament and would be more than willing to keep any mice who doesn't find a new family.

What do you guys think?

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

I think as long as you breed responsibly (only mice from 'proper' breeders so you know their background and dont breed too many litters) and do your research then I think good breeders will always be appreciated.

I know there are mice in rescues but they live such short lives that if no-one bred them then they would die out.

I think you'd be great tbh, you'll be breeding mice for the right reasons and not just for show like some of the people on another forum that shall not be named! who dont care about their mice as I found out in a very horrible way.

Oh check out micearenice.co.uk if you're after any info.

I've written an article that sums up some things to think about before you breed a rodent - feel free to have a look When to breed rodents: Ethics and Care.

If done well, then yes it can be a great experience. You do have to bear in mind though that it can have very extreme, upsetting events and you do need to be prepared for that.

Being prepared to keep any that don't find homes is a big one so it is good you are happy with that - I've recently seen a lady who didn't make good links with other keepers, and so people wouldn't buy from her, start selling hers for snake food which is very sad

Do you have a specific colour or variety you would be going for?
What are you going to be doing with bucks since they can have difficulty living together?
If you have a litter of all boys, and all the boys will only live alone, do you have room for a huge number of cages, or the money to consider neutering some of them so they can live happily together?

One thing to bear in mind is that any mice you do home could well be at the expense of mice in rescue that need homes.

That being said as long as you are doing it for the right reasons - and will be improving on health and longeviety, that ethical breeders are something that are needed. Ideally I'd love to see them take over from pet shops and get rodent farms out of the equation entirely.

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http://crittery.co.uk
Exotic and common rodent information; UK rodent rescue map.

I agree with all of the above.

I do remember someone (I apologise I can't remember who!) suggesting someone get a breeding mentor...so maybe the experienced breeder you got yours off might fulfil that role.

Just to reiterate the housing space you will need to provide for both the adults and potentially the babies. And obviously you have to be aware of vet bills etc. Though I think you will already have thought of all that!

You have to be aware too of the heartache of it too...for instance a mother abandoning a litter.

Oh and also obviously not turn the animals into breeding machines...but that would be where a mentor would be handy

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MY ZOO-LET
Syrian: Dini
Winter Whites: Alaska, Apollo, Hero and Ares
Bunnies: Saffy, Gus, Cookie and Cream and 5 babies!!
Piggies: Bubble and Squeak

RIP Tilly, Thom, Tiny, Cassius, Stuart Little, George, Baby Pom (Mice), Melvin (Chameleon) Harry (Cambells Russian) Charlie and Roma (Syrians) Eros (Winter White) Jet, Rainbow and Angel (Rabbits) Neva (Ratty girl)

Thanks everyone for your comments! The mice would come first always and I wouldn't want them to have more than two litters! The mice (I am having difficulty sticking to names for the two little girls I'm having on Saturday!) are first and foremost my babies.

Keeping the mice wouldn't be a problem. And neither would vet visits. I am aware that there will be heartbreak from time to time and as upsetting as that would be I'd have to deal with it as nature isn't always pretty!

I haven't thought of colours but my little girls are fawn self and black and white. I haven't chosen a buck yet but am in talks with another breeder atm xx

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11