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Post by bitbyter on Feb 23, 2016 21:03:00 GMT -5
I was starting to get some Black Tan's pretty regularly in my mice. Like I said, coat patterns started becoming interesting but there is no way I had the room to get interested in that. (not my image)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 23:37:11 GMT -5
March 1st/2016
Koko (Rat) 1st Litter. Pinkies: 10. Date: 1/March/2016
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2016 19:26:31 GMT -5
6/March. First litter. 7 pinkies. (1 still born. 6 alive) 2 Manx.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2016 22:53:58 GMT -5
Nice milk bellies on those mice! The other female looks like she'll pop soon. How many times do you breed your females before retiring them?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2016 23:40:31 GMT -5
I plan on retiring a breeder has reached 6 litters.. I also give girls a holiday for a month every few litters, Usually every 2-3 litters unless they seem stressed. I gave one girl a break after her first litter because she actually cannibalised them. After a month she had her second litter and things went smoothly from there. Two of my older breeders are currently on a break because their combined litters have reached weaner stage.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 0:46:34 GMT -5
We've had some bad luck on our 4th litters so we've been retiring after their 3rd. Cannibalism after the 3rd litter has been common with us. We may have to try giving a mouse vacation after the 3rd litter though! It is so very interesting watching them grow.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 1:07:16 GMT -5
Back to back breeding can be quite strenuous on their little bodies, thats how I thought of giving them breaks so they can have their own time to de-stress. I hate finding dead little ones. It can be quite sad to see. I haven't had alot of cases of cannibalism. Only a few times, which was a first time mother and a stressed out mother. I hear that it may also be a gene thing (It seems common with mice too) as well as a nutritional or stress related thing.
I tend to give them alot of fresh foods and that seems to helped alot. It's funny, I've had countless times where I've given fresh scrambled egg to some girls and they've given birth within hours. Thats happened three times!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 9:35:59 GMT -5
Wow! Who knew scrambled eggs would kick start labor? that's too cute.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 22:13:57 GMT -5
2 more litters born. I now have 23 mice pinkies. 7 Manx.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2016 0:54:57 GMT -5
Cora is due any day now with her first ratty litter. She's getting huge. I'll try and get a photo later. Edit: Update on Koko's Litter too. The pups are now 18 days old and have started to "experiment" with adult food. They should be weaned by next week. I'm keeping a 1 x male and 2 x female from this litter also. I'll post photos later when I have time.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Mar 19, 2016 10:45:35 GMT -5
Are these called fancy mice?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2016 20:36:54 GMT -5
Are these called fancy mice? Fancy is just a term used to label pet mice or those selectively bred for showing. These days it is used for "pets" because you'll see a majority of pet breeders labelling themselves as Fanciers. Fancy are also called feeders, if they are bred for the purpose of being feeder animals. In the end, they are all the same animal, a domesticated form of the house mouse, just bred with different purposes.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Mar 20, 2016 5:20:31 GMT -5
Did not know why they were called fancy---thanks for clarifying. Momma above is a gorgeous little creature.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 22:50:10 GMT -5
Cora still hasn't had her babies. she's getting close. Laying down a lot. Eating a ton. Stretching legs every so often. I feel tonight is the night. Otherwise tomorrow for sure.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 1:34:14 GMT -5
17 pinky rat babies for Cora's first litter. Boy was I spot on with thinking last night was the night. She became more snappier and Moody yesterday so I put her in a separate tub so she could relax. Good decision because she instantly calmed down after that. She was very Moody and showing dominance over koko. (Standing over her, koko then ends up belly up and frightened ) Poor koko lol!!
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