I started my mouse project!

[OccamsTazer]

I'm so tired of paying $10 a week for frozen pinkies to feed my geckoes, so I've started a mouse project!
-cute little mousie cage: $10
-water bottle: $2
-shavings: already had them
-food: chicken food and kitchen scraps
-the mice: $5

Total expense: $17! Yay!

So my only concern is that the mouse I have is from a pet shop and I'm concerned about his health. I won't get a female until the order comes in next Tuesday, so for now he's a lone bachelor. He's very healthy-looking, active, grooming constantly, and eating well. I have noticed a couple tiny mousie sneezes.
I know respiratory infections can take rodents quickly, should I medicate him before I get this show on the road? He may be a feeder breeder, but I want him to be healthy and happy!

 

[Guitartists]

Is it sneezes that leave his little nose all runny? Or could it be from the dust in the bedding? I used to raise mice when I was younger..... never had any problems. They are pretty resilient little critters so long as they are not exposed to anything too extreme. If he is acting otherwise healthy and fit.... I dunno. Personally I wouldn't stress too much about it. If the sneezing gets too bad and it seems to be related to the bedding (you notice it most after having changed the bedding etc) you might consider a different bedding material. They are not cedar, correct?

 

[lorieMN]

I no nothing about mice except I prefer them dead..but good luck on your venture,sounds like something I would do

 

[OccamsTazer]

Definitely no cedar! He's on aspen right now. I think he was on pine in the pet shop. I picked him out because of his shiny coat and friendly nature, so I'm hoping it's just dust and stress from moving.

Josh has already named him Bob

I cannot get my man to stop naming the food...

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Chicken feed isn't good for mice get wild bird seed instead. I breed mice so if you need help let me know

 

[OccamsTazer]

Thanks marebear, I'll switch him to the mix we use in the songbird feeder. I used to feed my rats rodent block plus lots of fresh things, but the shop didn't have any block.
This little monster is cute! He's white background with black splotches, and a few spots of tan around the edges of the black. What am I doing bonding with the food!? Ugh!

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I just adopted a mouse. I had planned on feeding him to my snake, but once I got him I couldn't do it v.v

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Okay, so mice are better than severed little fingers (pinkies)?

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
Okay, so mice are better than severed little fingers (pinkies)?

I think its baby Mice

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I just noticed something you said in your first post. Your feeding pinkies to your geckos? What kind of geckos? Pinkies are not a stable diet for geckos, they will cause excess fat in the geckos around the heart and shorten its life extremely. Mealworms, Crickets, Dubia Roaches, and some other things like that is much better food for your gecko and doesn't cost that much money. You can go to this website and get mealworms for very cheap. www.thenaturesway.com

Also your going to spend more then $10 a week on these mice once they start multiplying. You cant keep the male in with the female after she is pregnant. So you will need to buy another cage and supplies.