Temporary mouse housing.

daver676 · 01-29-04, 08:28 PM

If my snake where to refuse her food, I wouldn't know what to do with the mice. I would want to keep them alive, and maybe get a little nutrition into them before I try feeding them again. How could I house them on the cheap? I'd prefer not to buy an aquarium or cage, since I just don't have the space. How could I make a cheap water bottle? What about substrate? Newspaper? Food around the house? Thanks for any replies.

ChokeOnSmoke · 01-29-04, 08:35 PM

Do you always feed live? You should switch your snake to frozen thawed that way you wouldn't have that problem and you could possibly save yourself and your snake some grief.

sapphire_moon · 01-29-04, 09:31 PM

just a rubbermaid with some small hardware cloth (yes they have it where the holes are really tiny) you could feed low grade dog food (if you don't mind greasy looking mice) and it is better to just go buy a water bottel then attempt to make one. You will end up cleaning out the cage every day. Throw in some fruits and veggies every once in a while. And you can use shredded newspaper. If you drill any holes into a rubbermaid make sure they can't get any part of their little fingers or nose through it, they will chew their way out.

daver676 · 01-29-04, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChokeOnSmoke
Do you always feed live? You should switch your snake to frozen thawed that way you wouldn't have that problem and you could possibly save yourself and your snake some grief.

I don't like feeding live, but this is what she finally decided to eat. Click here to read the whole story.

How COULD I make a water bottle?

ChokeOnSmoke · 01-29-04, 09:47 PM

I see..... sorry about that I didn't know
I dont think I can help you out with the water bottle predicament either.
I'm good for nothing....

ReptiZone · 01-29-04, 09:51 PM

easy you know in the barn there is no water botle lol just gice them a heavy hater dish king the small hamster food dish just put water in it and replace it every day.

sapphire_moon · 01-29-04, 09:55 PM

If the mouse is not trained to drink out of a water dish it can drown (I have had more mice die this way...

) it is easier to just go buy a cheap water bottle to keep on hand.

Linds · 01-30-04, 04:42 PM

Mice need to be trained to drink out of bottles, drinking out of bowls and off floors is instinctual behaviour, as that is all that is available in the wild. If they drowned it was because it was way too deep for them and they were likely young. The only reason I don't use bowls is because they make such a mess out of them so quickly.

CHRISANDBOIDS14 · 02-02-04, 12:33 AM

If you want temporary housing just use like a margarine container. Put some shredded newspaper in the bottom(1 inch), if you have oatmeal or dog food, veggies, anything, trow in some for the food. As for water just take like a little dipping sause container(tiny) and replace the water any time you got by so put in in a local/busy area of the house. Remember clean it AT LEAST every two days. Simple, i keep breeding pairs of my mice that i am playing around with the genetics together in a container about 1.5 to 2 times the size of a margarine container.

annieb_mice · 02-02-04, 12:59 AM

If you feed live on a regular basis, you might want to buy a cheap storage bin <sterylite or rubbermaid> and cut out the middle of the lid and attach a wire mesh screen. You can find cheap bins at Walmart and almost any hardware store.
You don't need a water bottle, you can just use a clean tuna fish can filled about halfway with water. You do have to clean it out and put in fresh water about twice a day.
As for food... you can buy a really cheap bird seed mixture at almost any grocery store which will suffice for a short term. I would NOT recommend feeding dog food, as your mouse will NOT do well on it. Mice are generally seed eaters and you will have a much healthier food item for your snake if you feed the mouse proper food. Remember, the healthier your mouse, the more nutritious it will be for your snake.
If you would like to learn more, please feel free to check out my mouse care sheet on my site. www.geocities.com/annieb_mice/mouse_care.htm
Good luck.
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

Linds · 02-02-04, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by annieb_mice
You don't need a water bottle, you can just use a clean tuna fish can filled about halfway with water...

...I would NOT recommend feeding dog food, as your mouse will NOT do well on it.

I wouldn't recommend using a tuna can. Once oxygen gets at the can it begins to oxidize, if you have ever forgotten about something in a can in the fridge for a couple days you know what I'm talking about.

What are you basing the last comment on? I wouldn't suggest using dog food for pet mice, they do get a little greasy, but it is perfectly fine for feeders. I would hardly call mice that are throwing litters of 18 babies "not doing well" or unhealthy. The extra protein supports quicker growth in the offspring as well. There is especially nothing wrong with using dog food for a very short term.

daver676 · 02-02-04, 03:51 PM

Thanks for the great replies everyone. I'm not planning to feed live for long (maybe another month or two). I picked up some bulk nutrition blocks at the pet stroe, and the mice seem to love them. I also put in a piece of carrot, a little lettuce (for moisture) and a small dish of water (shallow). I shredded some paper towels for bedding and gave them a smaller box inside the big one to hide/sleep in. Damn these things crap alot!!

Auskan · 02-02-04, 04:17 PM

LOL, yeah they do. Your setup sounds good. I find rats easier to keep so once you get him on those....

annieb_mice · 02-02-04, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Linds
I wouldn't recommend using a tuna can. Once oxygen gets at the can it begins to oxidize, if you have ever forgotten about something in a can in the fridge for a couple days you know what I'm talking about.

*** He said for a short time. I've had to use for a day or two when I've run out of bottles and such. For a day or two they will suffice, but not for an extended period of time.

Quote:

What are you basing the last comment on? I wouldn't suggest using dog food for pet mice, they do get a little greasy, but it is perfectly fine for feeders. I would hardly call mice that are throwing litters of 18 babies "not doing well" or unhealthy. The extra protein supports quicker growth in the offspring as well. There is especially nothing wrong with using dog food for a very short term.

*** I based that last comment on over ten years of experience in breeding feeder mice, as well as hundreds of hours spent in research and education concerning their dietary needs and health.
My mice regularly have large litters as well, and are fed a quality diet which is much more natural for them then a food designed for dogs. Yes, mice do require higher protein if they are being used for breeding, but if you feed a diet of high protein for long periods of time, they will develop some serious health problems. As with any other animal, they have a variety of other nutritional needs that need to be met as well.
I am surprised that you would encourage "rapid growth" in the offspring. Would you recommend "power feeding" for snakes or lizards? This amounts to the same thing. When an animal is "power fed" to encourage fast growth, it not only shortens their natural lifespan <not a problem with feeders usually> but also compromises healthy development.
My own personal belief is that you are what you eat. The same goes for your pets. If you, and I am speaking in general here... not aimed at anyone, prefer to feed your snakes greasy mice instead of healthy looking mice fed on a proper diet, you are not feeding your snake as healthy as you could be.

These comments are my own opinion and are based upon years of experience and are NOT intended to insult or critisize anyone.
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

Vanan · 02-02-04, 06:52 PM

I would have to agree with Annie. I know a couple, who are one of the largest (if not the largest) mice breeders in Canada, who would never feed their mice any kind of dog food. They had gotten a full dietary requirement for mice and mill their own food which is grain based. I've seen their stock, I buy the feeders, I SEE the quality. I can understand most herpers, "getting by" with dog food for mice, but if you want to feed what's best for your mice, go grain-based, not meat-based food.

Disclaimer: In no way is this post related to feeding dog food to rats as they are two different species with different dietary requirements.