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Pet white mice questions2007-11-24 22:14:30

ETA: Re: the statements below

Males will care for the litters, if they're the father. If not, they'll kill the litter. However, males should never be left with females, because they'll breed again shortly after birth. This is very hard on the mother and puts the litters (present & future) at risk. Gestation is 19-24 days, but the litters shouldn't be weaned until four weeks of age (seperate sexes at that time also). So, she'd not only have to go through back to back pregnancies (very hard on a body), but she'd have to nurse and tend to two litters at once for a while. Mothers need, at least, a full month or preferably more of rest between litters...start counting at weaning age, not the day she gave birth. It's a very bad idea to keep the parents together.

Two mothers together could end in one or both of the litters being killed, but most often it's leads to other problems. If it ends in deaths, it's typically because of the age/size difference. However, you're right...it's not a good idea. I just wanted to point out that they don't automatically kill them.

You can handle babies from three days of age, providing you remove the mother from the cage/tank first. You don't want her to see you...or she could become stressed and abandon or kill the litter. Place her in a spare cage/tank with some toys and snacks to keep her busy. You can rub your hands in bedding before handling, if it makes you feel better. If you wait until they're five weeks old, they won't be very tame.