outdoors

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I was considering setting up a set of colonies outside for my mice and rats. I used to keep a bunny outside year round without a problem (she had plenty of straw to keep her warm, and I had a tarp covering the sides so the cold winds wouldn't get to her). Do you think I can set up something similiar for these critters? I just moved into a new apartment and am not too thrilled about having these smelly rodents in my house. I scrubbed down the tanks prior to moving the rodents in, and it stunk a few hours later. I was thoroughly annoyed.

[Quigs]

Hmm...interesting idea. I have no idea if it would work or not though. Generally wild mice tend to seek shelter indoors during the winter months. That is when most people have trouble with mice in their houses anyway.

I'd also have to imagine that you get some pretty nasty weather up there in PA during the winter months. It's been suggested that mice shut down when it's too cold and/or when it's too hot. And production is slow at best.

Rabbits have quite a bit more body fat than mice or rats to better survive the cold months. I'm not too sure what would happen to be honest with ya.

I don't think I would try it, if it were me though.

[Bluebeard]

I'd be willing to bet that you could get them to survive out side but they probly wouldn't breed during the winter at all, the babys wouldn't survive.

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I just don't want to deal with the smell in my new apartment. I don't want to stick them in my basement because it's dirt floor and the smell would just soak in.

[TripleMoonsExotic]

i put an air freshner in the room...and it smells much better! :)

[JTGoff69]

I'm so glad I use f/t, I just opened my freezer and there is no smell at all! LOL I give props to you all that can raise them though. I would never be able to take the smell. My son ended up with one that I tried to get a nonfeeding ball python to eat and that little sucker stunk his room up so bad we let it go. We live in the country and I'm sure all the field mice were very confused when they saw him! :grin01:

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I feed f/t too. I just breed my own because it's more money efficient with as many snakes as I have.

[bamboe32]

I keep mine outside, and the biggest problem is the frozen water.
You have to change it minimal twice a day when it is freezing.

I give the mouses schredded newspaper to build a warm nest.
They then still breed and produce normal litters.

[TripleMoonsExotic]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear! Thank you for your input! :) I had to deal with frozen water with the bunny I kept outside as well. Not a problem as long as you keep an extra water bottle handy. I'm going to now look into how to build the outdoor cage. Any pointers? How did you go about keeping everything clean? Milkshake (my bunny) was kept a good 3 feet off the ground with a wire cage bottom so her droppings would fall through (she had a removable wooden rest so her feet wouldn't get sore).

[Lans]

What temperature is too cold for breeding mice outside?

[lockshockbarrel]

As long as you give them lots of bedding, and nest boxes, they should be fine, so long as their water isn't frozen.

[cornsnakekid92]

blckkat would you sell any mice you have? i also live in Pa. and I need mice?

[Traci1]

blckkat would you sell any mice you have? i also live in Pa. and I need mice?

Where in PA are you? There is a place in Oley, PA called SOS Rodent...they sell live and f/t.

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I can provide a limited number of feeder rodents to a few people on a monthly/bimonthly schedule. email me...blckkat@hardrockers.com