Before you breed
Mice are beautiful creatures, and mouse babies can be incredibly cute. No wonder that the desire to breed their own animals flashed through the minds of many carers. Mice also reproduce very easily - too easily.
But there are many things you need to know before mating a male and female together.
Hard Facts:
- more mouse takes more frames,
- more frames need more space,
- more mice means more smell (very annoying, really),
- more mice mean less time for each one,
- more mice means more costs, especially veterinary,
- the young need to find new, good homes, which can be very difficult,
- you won't make a lot of money breeding mice, and certainly not if you want to do it ethically,
- breeding is not a bed of violets - it's "blood, disease and death" on the agenda, a strong psyche is essential.
Do you have enough knowledge?
You need to know not only the basic facts about caring for mice, but also about their reproduction, ailments, diseases (including genetic ones) and genetics.
Remember, you'll never know 'too much' about a mouse. No one knows everything, and the learning process is lifelong. It's always better to ask "stupid" questions than to do something wrong just for fear of asking experienced growers.
If you don't want to learn and gain new knowledge (first of all on your own, digging half the internet :P) - it's better to give up thinking about breeding any animals.
Why do you want to breed mice?
Think about your reasons for wanting to breed/breed mice. Are you planning to participate in exhibitions and focus on the pattern? Would you like to improve the genre in the broad sense of the word? Grow your dream mouse with perfect appearance, health, temperament?
If it is any of the above options, you can think about professional breeding. It should only be remembered that the breeding goal will not be fulfilled in one litter or even a few generations. It is many years of work on our own lines, gaining experience, cooperation with other breeders, as well as strict selection.
Unfortunately, I met with "avid breeders" who gave up after one litter, because: the males smell too much, I have nothing to do with the young, too much work, too much expenses, "it goes too slowly".
From my own experience, I can say that it was only after two years of breeding that I started breeding at a relatively good level. The legendary "breeder's eye" needs time to develop. If you already have experience with breeding other species - it will definitely be easier.
If you are interested in the topic - contact us in a private message (or Mysigonek kennel). We are happy to share our knowledge and help you assess the situation and show you the way. :)
If your goal is to breed mice only "for a nice look", or to check "how it is" - it's better to let it go.
Always treat your pets with respect.
It doesn't matter if you breed food mice or you run a huge animal breeding just "for exhibitions".
They are living, feeling creatures who would like to be happy in their short lives. Unfortunately, mice can adapt and survive in really poor conditions...
A show of respect can also be, for example, putting a sick mouse to sleep to relieve its suffering, or reducing (reducing) the number of young in the litter to help a tired female (and not only ...). so-called "culling" is a topic for another post, but be aware that putting to sleep and saying goodbye to life is standard in mouse breeding.
Text: Karolina Patalan, Mysigonek
Sources: http://www.hiiret.fi/eng/breeding/?pg=2&sub=2< /a>