How to Breed White Mice

Mice are bred for several different purposes. Some mice are bred as lab mice for medical purposes. Other mice are bred to sell as pets in stores across America. Some mice are even bred by people in their homes to feed pet snakes. There are several factors that contribute to the successful breeding of white mice, including the ratio of female mice to male mice, the temperature of the cage and allowing enough time for the mice to mate.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeding area
  • Bedding
  • Thermometer
  • Wire mesh screen
  • Female mice
  • One male mouse
  • Mice food
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the area for the mice to breed. It should be a deeper basin, such as an aquarium that the mice cannot chew their way through. Place a wire mesh screen over the top of the basin so the mice cannot climb up and out the top. Lay down bedding in the basin to help keep the mice comfortable and to maintain the temperature in the basin.

    • 2

      Keep the temperature in the basin at around 70 degrees F. Keep a small thermometer in or around the basin to ensure that the optimal temperature is maintained.

    • 3

      Breed mice that are at least 3 months old. This is the age of sexual maturity for a mouse.

    • 4

      Place no more than six females into the basin for every male. Take into account the number of sucklings you want to be birthed when deciding this ratio. On average, one white mouse female can have anywhere from 4 to 11 babies during each birthing.

    • 5

      Avoid placing more than one male into the basin. This could lead to dominance issues between the two males, and result in fighting or death.

    • 6

      Allow time for the females and the male to become accustomed to each other before anticipating any breeding will take place. This will generally take around five days.

    • 7

      Monitor the females during the gestation period, which lasts anywhere from 18 to 21 days. Make sure that they each get at least 10 oz. of food and water each day.

    • 8

      Avoid touching the sucklings, or baby mice, during the first few days after birth. This could lead to rejection by the mother.

    • 9

      Clean the cage after the sucklings are born only when it is necessary because it is important that the females maintain a constant lactation cycle.