Is this cage setup okay?

by PastelMouse Sat 15 Apr 2017, 1:24 pm

I decided to try and plan out a 20 long setup! It's hard to see, but the outline is in red thread. The "wheel" is that piece of cardboard. This would be for a single male. I'll add a real water bottle and wheel, of course. I may also get a hammock or 2. Anything I missed? (Also sorry for the blur, my phone camera is awful.)

Is this cage setup okay? 0Xg9Q

https://imgur.com/a/0Xg9Q (Just in case photo didn't work.)

by River Sat 15 Apr 2017, 4:16 pm

Photo didn't work, but the link did!

It looks great! Some people on this forum have recommended not using a space larger than 10 gallons for 3 girls, but I'm not sure if the rule is the same for boys. Even if it was, I think I would go forward and try using a 20 gallon, seeing if he's comfy with it...the lonely guys deserve to be spoiled, so if they love more space, then hey; why not? Just be aware some mice might not do well in such a large space.

Layout wise, it looks lovely. There's a lot to do and a lot of space to run around. I'd definitely add hammocks and hanging toys...I'm not sure about boys, but my girls love to climb! Maybe a ladder or two? Bird ladders work well.

by PastelMouse Sat 15 Apr 2017, 4:53 pm

River wrote:Photo didn't work, but the link did!

It looks great! Some people on this forum have recommended not using a space larger than 10 gallons for 3 girls, but I'm not sure if the rule is the same for boys. Even if it was, I think I would go forward and try using a 20 gallon, seeing if he's comfy with it...the lonely guys deserve to be spoiled, so if they love more space, then hey; why not? Just be aware some mice might not do well in such a large space.

Layout wise, it looks lovely. There's a lot to do and a lot of space to run around. I'd definitely add hammocks and hanging toys...I'm not sure about boys, but my girls love to climb! Maybe a ladder or two? Bird ladders work well.

I never knew abut the girl thing. I've always hear a 20 long was good for 3, because you can fit 2+ wheels in it very easy.

I forgot I had a popsicle stick ladder, I'll add that in too. I really want to a bird toy, since they make nice sturdy ones that can be climbed.

Thanks for your input!

by CallaLily Sat 15 Apr 2017, 7:07 pm

I don't know how true it is, but I remember reading on the old forum (the Fun Mouse) that pvc pipe is not safe for mice. I think that's what's in your picture? If so, might want to check into that. I know many hamster owners use it, though the ones I've talked to all warn to remove it at the first sign of chewing.

A 20 gallon long is fine for up to 5 girls or 1 boy. It's usually recommended to start out new, untamed mice in a minimum space for the group size (for example a 10 gallon for 3 girls or 1 boy) as it helps with the taming process and untamed mice don't usually do well with more space. Once tame, you can move them up, but be prepared in case it doesn't work out. Not all mice enjoy the extra space, but many do. And remember to fill any size space with toys, but I can see you already know that. Smile

Most mice do enjoy climbing so as River suggested, ladders and hammocks are great additions.

by River Sat 15 Apr 2017, 7:21 pm

PVC pipe is toxic if ingested, but then its not so different from any plastic, is it? I'd just aim for harder PVC, unless there's a different reason for it not being good for mice.

by CallaLily Sat 15 Apr 2017, 7:23 pm

River wrote:PVC pipe is toxic if ingested, but then its not so different from any plastic, is it? I'd just aim for harder PVC, unless there's a different reason for it not being good for mice.

I can't remember the reason given. I just remember reading it over there. Thank you for the information!

by MooMouse Sat 15 Apr 2017, 8:03 pm

The cage set-up looks great! One item that I can recommend is this thingy here though:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/87/6c/a5/876ca55ee11b68aa51238e2dce7abc45.jpg

They are super easy to make and my girls really enjoy them! In your cage, you could just set one over a toilet paper tube (have the toilet paper tube under the bridge). They add a lot to the cage and don't take up a lot of space.

by PastelMouse Sat 15 Apr 2017, 9:01 pm

CallaLily wrote:I don't know how true it is, but I remember reading on the old forum (the Fun Mouse) that pvc pipe is not safe for mice. I think that's what's in your picture? If so, might want to check into that. I know many hamster owners use it, though the ones I've talked to all warn to remove it at the first sign of chewing.

A 20 gallon long is fine for up to 5 girls or 1 boy. It's usually recommended to start out new, untamed mice in a minimum space for the group size (for example a 10 gallon for 3 girls or 1 boy) as it helps with the taming process and untamed mice don't usually do well with more space. Once tame, you can move them up, but be prepared in case it doesn't work out. Not all mice enjoy the extra space, but many do. And remember to fill any size space with toys, but I can see you already know that. Most mice do enjoy climbing so as River suggested, ladders and hammocks are great additions.

Would you recommend I just use a 10 gallon for a mouse's entire life? I'll remove the PVC pipe as well, and have found some nice bird toys I can buy for climbing. Petsmart has this cute tree trunk hide I want to get, along with a mini igloo.

Edit: I think I'll actually go for a 15 and split the difference. 10 seems too small, but I don't want a large cage to get in the way of taming.

by scaredymouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 12:13 am

I know it seems small but mice like a nice cozy home. Open spaces tend to freak them out when they aren't tame. Although a 10 tank is preferred, at least in the beginning while they are being tamed, I think a 15 would be okay for 3 girls. You also mentioned something about needing 2 wheels... one wheel is perfectly fine for 3 girls.

by PastelMouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 12:59 am

scaredymouse wrote:I know it seems small but mice like a nice cozy home. Open spaces tend to freak them out when they aren't tame. Although a 10 tank is preferred, at least in the beginning while they are being tamed, I think a 15 would be okay for 3 girls. You also mentioned something about needing 2 wheels... one wheel is perfectly fine for 3 girls.

I think it's just how my brain is wired, as a hamster owner it's hard to adjust to care requirements that go against what I've been telling myself. (If that makes sense?)

I have a ton of bins lying around my house that are ~200 square inches, converting one of them into a temp living space would be really easy. I may do that. It also leaves me with a temp cage for cleaning and the like.

I may just get the 10 gallon then. I'm getting a single male mouse and plan on spending a lot of time bonding, so their life should be very enriching.

Thanks for the info!

by scaredymouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 5:03 am

5 out of my 6 boys are in 10g tanks. I have hamsters too, so I know what you mean! But a 10g is fine for a boy. I always start out in a 10g for so many reasons. It helps with taming, it makes then feel safe/they like it, easier to clean, and it saves money on bedding. After they are tame, then I consider an upgrade and i base that on their personalities.

After having lots of mice, I've learned that just about everything makes them happy. They are just as happy with a toilet paper roll or an old egg carton as they are with fancy toys. And they love to make a mess and tear everything up. My hamsters keep their tanks very tidy and don't poop & pee all over their toys... But mice...make a big ol mess and there is pee on everything. And they need to be cleaned every week, so it's a lot more work than a hamster. I mean, they are totally worth it but you'll soon see just how different they are from hammies Smile

by PastelMouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 11:41 am

scaredymouse wrote:5 out of my 6 boys are in 10g tanks. I have hamsters too, so I know what you mean! But a 10g is fine for a boy. I always start out in a 10g for so many reasons. It helps with taming, it makes then feel safe/they like it, easier to clean, and it saves money on bedding. After they are tame, then I consider an upgrade and i base that on their personalities.

After having lots of mice, I've learned that just about everything makes them happy. They are just as happy with a toilet paper roll or an old egg carton as they are with fancy toys. And they love to make a mess and tear everything up. My hamsters keep their tanks very tidy and don't poop & pee all over their toys... But mice...make a big ol mess and there is pee on everything. And they need to be cleaned every week, so it's a lot more work than a hamster. I mean, they are totally worth it but you'll soon see just how different they are from hammies

Thanks for this. You're last little bit is sort of why I wanted mice over another hamster. Not the mess, but their personalities seem so different. Would you recommend a 10 or 15 gallon tank for a mouse's entire life? I think I may just get a 10. I saved so much money for getting a mouse and it's funny how little of it I'd actually need.

by scaredymouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 3:28 pm

What I usually end up doing with my boys is keeping them in 10g for a while and then moving them into 20g tanks. They would be fine in 10g their whole life but if they are take and though want to spend the money, I think you could upgrade to a 20g last.

I'll try to grab some pics of my set uos for my tanks later.

by CallaLily Sun 16 Apr 2017, 8:57 pm

You can do the minimum their whole life no problem, but I like to slowly upgrade mine to more space once they're tame. Of course, like Scaredy said, it depends on the mouse/mice too! I had 2 girls that bickered a lot when they were in a 29 gallon tank, but when I moved them down into a 15g they did great. But then recently I had 3 girls living very happily in a 40 breeder. So totally depends on them too. Smile

by scaredymouse Sun 16 Apr 2017, 10:59 pm

So, here are a few pictures of some of my tank set ups just to give you some examples. I base everything on the mouse. Some mice are really active and need lots of stuff to do and a bigger tank. Others like a simple life. I have two mice living together and they were always running together awkwardly on the wheel... So I put in a second wheel but it collected dust all week! Apparently they love running together. So, some of my tanks might appear boring but the mice are happy.

This tank is for one if my fellas. You can't really see it, but there is an egg carton buried. He lives chewing that.

This fancy set up is for 5 rambuncious young females and their mom. They need and use every single thing in this tank.

This is for a male and his girlfriend (not able to breed). He has a foraging wall to keep him busy, he's very anxious.

This is for a male, he doesn't always like to be handled... So I did my best to give him a rich environment since he doesn't get as much companionship as he should.

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