Breeding mice

In the wild, mice mate only during the warm season. In winter, females do not estrus, and males do not care for their partner. At home, rodents are ready to mate year-round. Fans of these animals should know how the mice breed, so as not to harm the pets.

Mating rodents

Mouse structure it allows females to become able to endure offspring already on their 28-50th birthday. But young ornamental animals are born more well-fed and in large numbers. Therefore, a breeder should not mate a female who has not reached two months of age.

Interesting!

Obese animals are not able to reproduce offspring. Animals preparing for mating should be fed with greens and sprouted grain so that they do not have excess weight.

If a person holds one pair of mice, then the male and the female live in different cells. They sit down to each other when it is time for courtship games. The female herself will “say” about her readiness for reproduction. Her behavior changes as follows:

• she can become restless and a little aggressive;
• the female arches her back and raises the fifth point;
• courtship of the male is not rejected.

At home, the mouse becomes ready for fertilization 14 hours after birth. Wild mice do not breed as actively.

1. The vaginal epithelium is low and has a small thickness.
2. After 50-60 hours, the number of epithelial cells increases.
3. An estrus sets in, lasting 10-18 hours.
4. The upper layer of the epithelium is separated. The last phase lasts 24-30 hours.

Mating takes place in a fast heat period.

Reproduction of mice should not occur too often. Enough twice a year. Otherwise, the body of the female will weaken, and she will not be able to give strong offspring. Also avoid fertilizing the mouse while it is feeding the babies.

Pregnancy

The mice bear the pups for 17-24 days. In the second half of pregnancy, the mouse is rounded, and the owner can feel the mice in her tummy.

Care should be taken to ensure that the pregnant female can build a comfortable place for newborn babies. To do this, put paper, dry grass, pieces of cloth in a cage.

A pregnant mouse needs careful care:

1. Mouse feeds plenty of food. In the first half of gestation, mice - by a third, and in the second - by half.
2. The cage with the animal must not be touched or rearranged.
3. It is advisable to provide the animal with peace - less iron and pick it up.

On a note!

The male does not take part in raising offspring, so he is evicted from the female before childbirth. Although some breeders claim that the "daddy" helps in childbirth - and it can be removed after the mice are born.

Pregnant mice often experience toxicosis that causes the death of a pet. The following signs of the disease are distinguished:

• muscle spasms;
• drooping eyelids;
• salivation;
• tousled and dull look of wool.

Murine toxicosis is not treatable. Therefore, for this period, the female needs to provide access to fresh food and water and less likely to bother her.

Childbirth

Before the expected date of delivery, the mouse cell must be washed and disinfected, and fresh hay put in its nest. Mice are born predominantly at night, and the process itself can take two hours.

On a note!

Beginners in breeding are often worried about how many mice are born at a time. The female, who was well looked after, is able to give birth to many babies - about 14 pieces. But on average, she can give birth to 5-9 mice.

The owner announces the squeak of the pups when the delivery is completed. You can’t immediately touch the mice. A foreign smell may not please the mother, and she will refuse the offspring or kill him. But it is necessary to remove the stillborn.

If contractions did not happen on the expected day of delivery, you should not contact the veterinarian for help. It is necessary to observe the state of the mouse. A healthy female behaves as follows:

• she eats well;
• actively moving;
• the hair and eyes shine.

It’s worth panicking if the contractions take a long time (10-15 minutes), but there are no cubs. In this case, you must call a veterinarian.

Babies are born naked, with closed ears and eyes.

Rodent breeders need to know how mice breed. So it will be possible to get strong offspring and maintain the health of the female. Have decorative mouse species complications during childbirth may occur, which the doctor can handle.