Introducing new female mice into established colony

[Snakefood]

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

did you first quarantine the new female before introducing her to your male?

Thats the biggest thing.

yes, they were properly quarantined before introducing the male to them.


So If I can't introduce new ones, how do I build the first one up to better #'s?? Do I leave the female offspring in there for the #'s I want?? If so, won't they get pregnant too soon/young?? and also being impregnated by thier father??

I know alot of people say in-breeding in rodents doesn't matter and actually strengthens lines. However, I noticed in my rat colonies (my past ones) that once you got 3 generations on, litter #'s went down, mortality #'s went up and mothers sarted dying pregnant. So I tend to be more careful these days about the bloodlines in my colonies (both rat and now mouse)

[stephanbakir]

Originally Posted by Snakefood

yes, they were properly quarantined before introducing the male to them.


So If I can't introduce new ones, how do I build the first one up to better #'s?? Do I leave the female offspring in there for the #'s I want?? If so, won't they get pregnant too soon/young?? and also being impregnated by thier father??

I know alot of people say in-breeding in rodents doesn't matter and actually strengthens lines. However, I noticed in my rat colonies (my past ones) that once you got 3 generations on, litter #'s went down, mortality #'s went up and mothers sarted dying pregnant. So I tend to be more careful these days about the bloodlines in my colonies (both rat and now mouse)

If you can, introduce new blood into the colonies. If you cant then let the females get old enough to safely breed and introduce them in with the new male.