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Sexual Maturity

wmdude102086

wmdude102086

Cory
How old are female mice before they can safely reproduce. Not how old when its possible but more so a safe age to start breeding them?
 
The rule of thumb is: 3 years, 300 grams and 3ft. long. It isn't age only thing, especially for females. susan
 
well, they Can breed at 21 days but I usually allow them after they are 2 months old, that way they are more mature, make better parents and arent so shy about allowing me to see any babies they have. Thats just me though. Not sure of anyone else :)
 
I don't go by age, I go by size, shape, and activity. I wean them when they start foraging on their own, and their shape is that of a small adult, not a plump, round hopper. I will usually introduce a male that is around the same age at this time, and let them mature together. It usually takes at least a month before they will start mating, regardless of the bodies maturity, and in this time, it helps them to establish a bond and a family unit. It also assures the male that all offspring are his own, and makes him a good father. Or you could use a larger male, who will become "protector" to the young females, and will help them mature faster, but still accomplishes the desired "family unit" a strong colony needs.
 
I breed my female mice for the first time at between twelve and sixteen weeks old. Before that age they're still growing and maturing. At 12-16 weeks you have a young adult with sufficient reserves to produce healthy babies without sapping nutrition from her own body.
 
susang said:
The rule of thumb is: 3 years, 300 grams and 3ft. long. It isn't age only thing, especially for females. susan
Click to expand...

Holy heck you gave me a fright there! :laugh:
 
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