Mouse Breeding?

by Goldehwolfeh Tue 08 Nov 2016, 2:47 pm

To be honest, I know it looks more of a question but in reality I just want opinions. I want to start my own mousery as I am in FFA and need my SAE done and figured maybe I could do something out of the ordinary. I have been doing a lot of research and been collecting information that I am for sure able to grasp.

Today at school I discussed it with my sophomore buddy, and again she has her doubts on me and yells at me saying I shouldn't do it because I'll pretty much fails and kill all my mice. She said not to look at the DNR and just get a business license to do something else. It made me feel really crappy but of course, It's not going to stop me.

I don't want to do this to have more mice. I want to learn, try, and I am ready to any risks. But I want your honest opinions.
With knowing what I do with small animal care, would it be a good idea if I am willing and dead set on doing this to start a mousery?

And, If I do what should I look for if I live in a city?

by AnonymousMouseOwner Tue 08 Nov 2016, 3:03 pm

Please refer to these links:
https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t1036-the-ethics-of-breeding
https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t35-breeding-ethics

Breeding is very hard on mice and it is critical you do everything correct and are ready for any emergencies. Please read over those threads and see if you have everything it takes to be a mousery. It can and most likely will get expensive, requires lots of attention, and you would need to be devoted to it. Please understand breeding is a serious thing and very hard for the mother mice.

by Goldehwolfeh Tue 08 Nov 2016, 4:07 pm

Thank you, I will look over those threads. I understand that breeding is serious and very hard for the mother mice. I have been devoted with this idea and planning it out thoroughly before I take the steps to becoming a mousery.

by Peachy Tue 08 Nov 2016, 4:25 pm

You can learn about breeding and raising mice without actually doing it. Breeding just to do something out of the ordinary or to try it out isn't a good reason to breed. Wanting more mice isn't the best reason either, but at least that reason would make sense. What are you going to do with all the babies if you don't want more mice??

by Goldehwolfeh Tue 08 Nov 2016, 4:54 pm

Trying it out and wanting more mice isn't a reason. Yes, I would probably keep some and give some away to good homes if need be. I know I wont be able to prevent anyone from using them as feeder mice. I just haven't figured out my reason why I seem so devoted recently. Which is why I want to do a lot of research before taking any further steps.

The breeding realm can be a risky thing, and I know with some or even all animals it could be frowned upon. I know litters of dogs and cats are a big issue here in Wisconsin and they recommend spray and neutering your pets to help lower the population.

What I mean out of the ordinary is if I do this within my SAE and log hours in this year for FFA it would be something they have never seen before, but It still doesn't much give me a personal reason to why I want to breed.

This is something I want to take seriously in my life, and all your opinions do in fact matter to me on this. With or without support. I do take this breeding matter seriously.

by CinnamonPearl Tue 08 Nov 2016, 5:03 pm

If you don't plan to take precautions to prevent babies from becoming feeders, don't breed. Breeding mice and then giving up those mice to die scary, painful deaths is not ethical. As a breeder, you can absolutely deter unethical reptile owners from taking your mice. Asking questions to potential owners, asking to see their mouse setup, judging their knowledge, making sure they have a vet to go to, and asking for a large adoption fee are a few things you can do. If you don't plan to, don't breed.

Doing it just for your SAE and FFA is not a good reason either. That would be putting innocent animals at risk for your own personal gain.

That being said, if you do decide to make sure none of your kids become feeders, you think you have the knowledge, funding, and stable mental state to run a mousery, then I think it's a large and brave step to take. I would recommend you build up a large emergency fund or get pet insurance for if anything goes awry. Prepare and research as much as you can before you even think about breeding a litter. But again, if you don't intend to protect the children you bring into the world or are doing this for personal gain, do not breed.

by EverythingAnimal Tue 08 Nov 2016, 5:03 pm

My opinion is very simple: If you are up for it, by all means, do it. But anything can go wrong, and things might not turn out as they want them to, so if you have any doubts, wait on it. There is no reason to not consider it further and make a decision later.

by Goldehwolfeh Tue 08 Nov 2016, 5:52 pm

CinnamonPearl wrote:If you don't plan to take precautions to prevent babies from becoming feeders, don't breed. Breeding mice and then giving up those mice to die scary, painful deaths is not ethical. As a breeder, you can absolutely deter unethical reptile owners from taking your mice. Asking questions to potential owners, asking to see their mouse setup, judging their knowledge, making sure they have a vet to go to, and asking for a large adoption fee are a few things you can do. If you don't plan to, don't breed.

Doing it just for your SAE and FFA is not a good reason either. That would be putting innocent animals at risk for your own personal gain.

That being said, if you do decide to make sure none of your kids become feeders, you think you have the knowledge, funding, and stable mental state to run a mousery, then I think it's a large and brave step to take. I would recommend you build up a large emergency fund or get pet insurance for if anything goes awry. Prepare and research as much as you can before you even think about breeding a litter. But again, if you don't intend to protect the children you bring into the world or are doing this for personal gain, do not breed.

I do see what you mean, and I do not plan to do it for my SAE. SAE is a argicultural project for FFA. By all means, it would be unethical to work with any animals and log hours in to prove your an active member of FFA?. I do want to protect the children by all means, and I already do know that I will because everytime I search for someone to look after my mice while I am on a trip for 2 weeks they get lots of questions and a whole book on how to care for them c:

Besides that, I really like your opinion. I didn't mean for it to seem like I want to do it as a personal gain. I do not want to breed mice for any personal gain. Precautions will be taken to prevent them from becoming feeder mice. I feel like I can do it, and I will do everything I can to prepare and research. I can't start breeding mice anyways until I have moved into a bigger home and research if my city allows mouse breeding. (I've looked before, but I can't seem to find it).

by CinnamonPearl Tue 08 Nov 2016, 5:56 pm

Well then, if you're prepared and believe you're doing it for the right reasons, then by all means, look into it! We do need more good, ethical mouse breeders, and I see no reason why you shouldn't start if you're doing it for the right reasons and doing everything correctly. I noticed you're a new member; feel free to stick around here and ask any questions you have! We have plenty of people who have experience in breeding or raising kits and even have a great mouse breeder. I'm sure we can help you in this exciting new step. ^.^

by Peachy Tue 08 Nov 2016, 5:59 pm

I'm confused. Are there two different questions here? One about breeding a litter for an agricultural product and one about starting a mousery someday? In your other post you were talking about doing this because it would be something they've never seen before. lol

by CinnamonPearl Tue 08 Nov 2016, 6:03 pm

Wait, there was talk about breeding only one litter? Now I'm confused too. >.< Okay, bottom line is, look inside yourself and really consider this. If the main reason you're doing it is for your agricultural project, don't. If you actually want to contribute to and better the murine species and you can take care of and afford to run a mousery, go ahead.

by Peachy Tue 08 Nov 2016, 6:11 pm

No one said anything about "one litter" but I'm confused why the SAE project came up if it's not something that's related to the prospective mousery. Scratch

Edit: I agree that if this is just an agricultural project, it's probably best to come up with another idea. If it's a sort of hobby that you want to take up, you need to make sure that you have time, money, knowledge, and general experience with mice (ie, spotting health issues, taking them to the vet, medicating, etc). If you're starting with pet shop mice, these threads might be good idea to check out, too.

https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t32-breeding-pet-store-mice-there-s-only-one-way

https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t31-so-you-think-you-want-to-start-a-mousery

by Goldehwolfeh Tue 08 Nov 2016, 6:20 pm

Oh, You guys XD.

I just said I didn't mean to make it seem like it was for any project, and most certainly it wont. Also I would like to start off with one litter, but would slowly and surely if possible up the amount of litters. I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I actually would like to become a good breeder one day, and working with animals has always been a goal of mine. (I am taking classes to become a veterinarian).

Thank you guys for pointing me in the right directions (plenty). I will be sure to do a lot of research and start emergency funding. The only reason as to why I don't want to start to right away is because I live in an apartment, and I am mostly at school or work and have time after work and between school and work to be with my mice and I feel like it isn't enough.

Thank you guys for clearing things out for me, I did learn a lot. ^-^

I only mentioned the SAE to see if it was still possible to log hours in as a total different note. My FFA advisor said anything can go into the project (even raising honey bees) and it's our semester final for first semester. I do log when I clean my cages for any animal I may have but I still don't see how it is unethical. I am not applying for the grant when the hours are completed. I wouldn't log hours into the SAE if taking care and running a mousery isn't something to log hours for.

Still isn't cleared on my end.

by CinnamonPearl Tue 08 Nov 2016, 6:29 pm

I don't find anything unethical about your reasonings for getting into breeding. So you can log hours you spend mouse breeding to help with your SAE; so what? Would your breeding be any more ethical if you didn't? It sounds to me like you have good intentions at heart. If it's a step you're willing to take and you can do it properly, then I won't tell you to stop. Feel free to stick around the forum and do some research while you're preparing to start a mousery.

by Peachy Tue 08 Nov 2016, 6:45 pm

I understand the SAE part now, thank you for clarifying. Smile

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