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Q: Cleaning Mama Mouse Tubs
Posted By:

wytchling

I didn't have this problem with my ASFs when I had them. I could easily go 3 weeks without disturbing the mothers and their babies, but these mice STINK. They way I figure it is, it can't be good for the mamas or the babies so what do I do? Do I clean the tubs or just wait it out?

One litter will be 2 weeks old tomorrow and the other was a week old on this past Thursday. The mothers have been taking excellent care of the babies, so I don't want to upset them but I'm not sure how much longer we can handle the smell. 

What do you guys think?


Points: 150
Topics: General Health
Tags: Cleaning, Mice
Administrative: Show/Hide

Accepted Answer 10/29/2011 10:06:26 AM

tmth

I only don't move mice that are within 1-3 days old. After that, anythings fair game to be moved and cleaned. At work, mouse cages are changed every two weeks, and you scoop up the litter with some nest/dirty bedding and move them to the new cage. Unless mom isn't taking very good care of the little ones you shouldn't have any issues. 

 
Assisted Answer 10/29/2011 10:21:43 AM

Brandon Osborne
Clean then as you need. It will not affect them. I've cleaned 1000s of cages with females giving birth in the middle of a cleaning. They will build a new nest and pile them up again. They are not phased at all.
 
Assisted Answer 10/29/2011 1:03:36 PM

Synath

I've lost a whole litter trying to clean them with in the first few days.. at a couple of weeks I think you should fair much better in the cleaning.  +1tmth

 
Assisted Answer 10/29/2011 1:12:47 PM

Doomtrooper

 Just change the bedding on your normal scedual  ..like brandon said  i just move them over no problems ..  i also  sprinkle powdered milk on thier food  helps moms recover  and stops them from eating babies

 
Assisted Answer 10/29/2011 2:37:26 PM

Brandon Osborne

If you are losing babies it is usually due to lack of nutrients in the food or dehydration.  I started breeding mice 20 years ago and have seen a couple of litters.  I also worked for Rodent Pro before they were Rodent Pro.  Cleaning cages with fresh litters isn't going to disturb the females or babies. 

 
Assisted Answer 10/29/2011 3:49:19 PM

SapphireTigress

i've found that if you wait a few days, and then put some of the old nest material in the newly cleaned area, it helps a lot.

 
Assisted Answer 10/30/2011 1:10:56 PM

Raye_G

I clean once a week.If they have a new litter of babies I just clean around that area without disturbing the nest.If its really bad I will scoop out the babies and some of the litter and put them back exactly as they were when done with some of the stinky litter they were born in.

I have three of those little igloos they use for having babies in..I keep a colony of around 6 females and one or two males(Im actually not sure how many I have, Im guessing). In one giant 5ft bin.Ive not lost a single litter and none are eaten.I do keep them in very deep litter and hay because I have them outside, they make tunnels through it so thats why Im not sure exactly how many I have.I do check once a month and usually weed out any extra males.

 
Author Comment 10/31/2011 6:31:57 AM

wytchling

The move was successful. No mass murder or massive carnage to report. Everyone took to it just fine. THanks for all the answers guys.

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