big litters?

Kathy · 12-08-02, 10:58 AM

Is there a type of mouse that has bigger litters? I have 2 baby corns that need pinks, and the mice I have give me like, 5 pinks. Thats good for a couple days but for the rest of the time I have to buy them. The pet store here wants $1.50 per pink! Ouch!

Ive heard of some types of mice that have litters of 15ish? Anyone know what these guys are called, and where I can get some (1.3 - 1.5 range)

12-08-02, 11:33 AM

after raising rats and mice both for feeders, housing, lab quality diet($30USD), time, and smell they just aren't cost effective for colonies under probably 200. Not familar with Whitby, Ont. but in Hamilton, Ont there is Mice 4 You, if you pick up instead of getting it shipped and buy in 100 lots your looking at .45 for pinks and .50CDN for fuzzies.

snakedude_03 · 12-08-02, 11:51 AM

a prob is.. mice4you havent been replying to people so i have heard.. i would order stuff from them.. but then.. they arent replying..

Kathy · 12-08-02, 02:30 PM

Its the cost of the pinks that I think is way too much. I dont mind spending 2 bucks on an adult mouse, but $1.50 for a pink that was born yesterday is just too much.

vanderkm · 12-08-02, 02:38 PM

Often local reptile owners who breed their own prey rodents have extra for sale and they are much cheaper than pet stores. If there is a reptile club in your area you might be able to purchase mice from them at monthly meetings (that is the case here in Edmonton). They are also your best source of breeder mice because they have lines that are prolific. You might try posting in the Canadian wanted ads here. You should certainly expect over a dozen pinks per litter from your mouse colony.

Mary v.

gonesnakee · 12-08-02, 02:40 PM

I too tried to breed mice way back in the beginning & know I leave it to the professionals. Check around with herpers in your area & someone will line you up with one. Mice can be alot cheaper once you eliminate the middleman. Mark IsBell - GONE SNAKEE!

Linds · 12-08-02, 03:56 PM

The mice you are probably thinking are one of the inbred strains such as Swiss Websters and ICR. I'm not sure where you can get these in Canada, most carriers will not ship rodents, and when they do it is very expensive. My ICR mice produce fairly large litters of 18 on average. 5 per litter is pretty small regardless though. Regular fancy mice that you get at a store are capable of throwing litters of 12+. Also, I'm a little confused why 5 pinks would only last two corns a few days??? Even though they are small litters, 5 pinks should last a few weeks. I'm in agreement with everyone else. For just a few snakes it isn't worth breeding your own feeders, unless your into breeding the mice/rats as a hobby as well

There are several suppliers in Canada for feeder rodents, and they are much more reasonably priced than pet stores. Also Mary had a good suggeston of finding some fellow herps that may have a small overflow that they would be willing to sell you. Try posting some classifieds, I'm sure you will come up with something there as well

Lisa · 12-08-02, 10:14 PM

The main reason we're breeding our mice is because we have 2 that need live pinks as we haven't had a chance to switch them to f/t yet. also we have 3 other snakes eating pinks but they'll eat f/t so we'll have to figure out how to kill them some what humanely.

Kathy · 12-09-02, 11:50 AM

The one corn is a little pig and will easily take 2-3 pinks depending on the size. The other corn doesnt like eating, so by the time im done trying to get her to eat, ive pretty much demolished the remaining pinks. I try her live, freshly killed, brained, little pieces, etc.

Blueeheeler · 12-09-02, 03:16 PM

I have 1 mom mouse that just gave 14 and is going to give more real soon. Since I have been breeding my own rats and mice which is about 3 months I have had a total of 42 rats still growing, and 29 mice, thats alot of food for my corn and I feed him 2 pinks every week. I have more than enough rats for 3 RTB and mice for 1 Corn. I have never had a litter smaller than 10 on either rats or mice.

Maybe they are getting older, the mice. When they get older they stop producing larger litters. Try keeping a few pinks and let them grow and reproduce see what happens. I have just done this as my mom is getting up there....Good luck and keep trying

ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU FEEDERS EAT WHICH MEANS YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT IS GOING IN YOUR SNAKES....Just food for thought, I am not yelling just stating a fact that I believe in Stongly.

Linds · 12-09-02, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blueeheeler
ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU FEEDERS EAT WHICH MEANS YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT IS GOING IN YOUR SNAKES....Just food for thought, I am not yelling just stating a fact that I believe in Stongly.

Couldn't agree with you more!