Breeding mice/rats outside.

Conner Richter · 09-28-15, 07:34 PM

Hello all,I know this has probably been asked on here before but Is it possible to breed mice or rats outdoors.preferably year round.I live in kentucky fairly close to ohio if this will help.Frozen mice are out because my family WOULD NOT allow mice in a freezer.If they did it would be a miracle.And my mom does not like the idea of rodents in her home so i am kinda out of luck.I really want some snakes though so i was wondering if anyone could help.

**Minkness** · 09-28-15, 07:54 PM

Outside in a heated garrage maybe? I personally wouldn't do it though. The other option is to make a trip once a week to buy a single frozen rodent then feed it the same day.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-29-15, 03:12 AM

Yes, they're very hardy. My rats were raised outside the ~5 years I bred them. Never lost a litter to the weather, or noticed any health problems beyond one tumor in an elderly breeder female, but that's normal for rats. I'm surprised I only had one rat with tumors tbh.

Make sure they're out of the wind and rain, and if you put them in a building, make sure it is very well-ventilated and doesn't get too hot during the summer.

During the winter, offer some extra fluff so they can line their nests with it and keep their babies warm.

I don't think mice would do quite as well outside as rats, though.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-29-15, 03:12 AM

Yes, they're very hardy. My rats were raised outside the ~5 years I bred them. Never lost a litter to the weather, or noticed any health problems beyond one tumor in an elderly breeder female, but that's normal for rats. I'm surprised I only had one rat with tumors tbh.

Make sure they're out of the wind and rain, and if you put them in a building, make sure it is very well-ventilated and doesn't get too hot during the summer.

During the winter, offer some extra fluff so they can line their nests with it and keep their babies warm.

I don't think mice would do quite as well outside as rats, though.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-29-15, 03:13 AM

Idk why that double-posted...if an admin would mind deleting one post?

chairman · 09-29-15, 10:23 AM

How about purchasing a small chest freezer just for mice? It'll probably cost the same or less than a rodent breeding setup. Some can even go outside if space is an issue.

Or, how about getting a snake that can eat frozen/thawed whole chicks? The whole chick thing might not sit well with everyone but it is technically chicken.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-29-15, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairman

How about purchasing a small chest freezer just for mice? It'll probably cost the same or less than a rodent breeding setup. Some can even go outside if space is an issue.

Or, how about getting a snake that can eat frozen/thawed whole chicks? The whole chick thing might not sit well with everyone but it is technically chicken.

Breeding rats/mice is more cost effective, especially with large amounts of snakes and if you buy rodent pellets in bulk. A breeding trio gave me enough food to support maybe 4 snakes, I had plenty left over to stock up on each litter I got plus surplus that I gave to friend when I had only 2 snakes. For my 7 snakes I most likely would only have to add 1 female, maybe 2 to the breeding group. I spent $15-30 on 1.5 years' worth of pellets and maybe $50-60 on bedding a year for a trio of rats and their babies. Veggies were digested into our grocery bill cost and we also had a garden, so I don't count those in the food cost. I don't remember the cost of the big bags I bought so that's a rough guess. My last shipment of rodents was $160-something and I estimate my next shipment to be $180-200 with 2 snakes at least moving up a size.

Conner Richter · 09-29-15, 04:56 PM

Thanks all for the information.I think it might be doable outside?

Sasha2 · 09-29-15, 05:40 PM

Just watch out for wild rats. I had pet rats outside once and they had babies and the wild rats got up under the cage and pulled off the legs and tails of the babies.It was pretty horrific.
Ive bred mice on the porch but just planned it so that they were breeding in the cool months then I put them all down and in the freezer.
I am going to do that again with the mice this year maybe..If I can find adult mice right away.