Pet Mouse Mating Tips

Mice produce litters ranging from between one pup to 30 pups. You might choose to mate mice to feed reptiles, or you might wish to start breeding and selling mice as pets. Although mice are very prolific animals that can mate very early in their lives, it is important to see to their health and their comfort during the breeding process. This ensures that the pups will be healthy and active.

Wait Until the Female Is Mature
- Although male mice can mate at any point after they are 50 days old, female mice take longer to mature. Wait until the female mouse is between 90 and 100 days old to breed. This ensures that she is full-grown and that she will live through bearing her litter. Bearing too early can stunt a female mouse's growth. Also, a fully mature female mouse takes better care of her pups and does not become exhausted nursing them.
Proper Mating Environment
- Mice can be bred in the enclosures where they live, but the sex of the mice in the enclosure should be considered. Pair one male and one female in an enclosure and allow them to mate, or place the male in an enclosure with several females. The harem system allows you to produce multiple litters at once. Do not place two males near a female, as this can create competition and lead to fights over the females.
Bring the Female to the Male
- Bring your female mouse over to your male's enclosure. Bringing a male to a female's enclosure creates a situation in which the female might try to protect her territory, leading to a fight rather than to a mating. Leave the female in the cage for at least 10 days before returning her to her cage. The female does not need a male to help raise her pups.
Feed the Mother Fatty Foods
- During the mating process and during pregnancy, a mouse requires a great deal of fat in her diet. Feed her nuts, grains, puppy or kitten food and sunflower seeds to keep her strength up. While she is nursing, this extra food helps her provide her pups with a nutritious supply of milk.