New mousy mom

by Dee67 Wed 16 Dec 2020, 6:26 pm

Hello to all fellow mouse fanciers. My name is Dee and I live in Canada. I'm a brand new mom to my first mouse ever. I picked him up today. His name is Figgus Newton. He is 5 weeks old. I am all prepared and pretty well read but I am wondering something. He has just been taken away from his mom and all his siblings and is in his new home with me, but he is just hiding in his little bed box I made and I'm wondering what I can do to make him not feel so alone and scared. I know I'm supposed to leave him alone and let him get used to his new house but I feel very bad for him. Any advice?

by SarahAdams Wed 16 Dec 2020, 8:32 pm

Aww, poor little Figgus - adorable name by the way. I don't know if 5 weeks is particularly young, but my advice would be just to sit by his cage and talk softly to him so he gets used to your presence and your voice and learns you mean him no harm. You could also take a tissue and rub it all over your hands and give it to him to use as bedding.

Mice need lots of hides to feel safe, and they needn't be expensive. Some toilet tissue rolls - my mice like it when some paper is left on it - and little cardboard boxes are good. Ladders, hanging toys and other things for him to gradually explore are helpful.

I'm sure more experienced people here will have lots more advice! Smile

by chiroptera Wed 16 Dec 2020, 10:28 pm

Are you sure he's only just now been separated? Mice should be separated at four weeks, as that's when they're sexually mature. It seems odd that a breeder would leave him in with other mice, especially females, for a full extra week.

Regardless, you do want to let him settle in, I wouldn't recommend trying to really handle him for a few days as he adjusts. Definitely keep his enclosure jam packed full of stuff to do. Mice like extremely busy enclosures, the less of the floor/bedding you can see, the better. Tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, popsicle stick houses, and other "trash" are all inexpensive and well-loved mouse enrichment, and of course there's also the pet store hides and toys as well. Give him a nice home where he doesn't feel exposed, and a bit of time, and let him have his space. After a day or two, then you can start trying to socialize him and tame him so he can enjoy your company too.

by Dee67 Wed 16 Dec 2020, 11:15 pm

Thank you Sarah, love the Kleenex idea. I've read a lot on taming mice, I know I'm supposed to leave him be to adjust, but he seems so alone. I wish I could hold him but he obviously would not find that comforting at this point Worry

.
Chiroptera, I was at the young ladies house today to get him. I handled all her mice in the litter, well taken care of, super calm and friendly etc., but she did seems to be misinformed of a few of the better care practices. I did warn her about the risks she was taking with the whole litter and Mom in together at 5 weeks, possibly ending up with another unwanted pregnancy, but she said they were ok till 6 weeks, so...I don't know what to do but send her a link to this forum.
Figgus' cage has tons of ladders, chew toys, hidey boxes, tubes, the whole 9 yards, but right now he is not too interested in exploring, he is just staying close to his bed. He's in my bedroom so I can keep listening to him and we'll see how he's doing tomorrow. Wish mice liked hugs Wink

by SarahAdams Thu 17 Dec 2020, 10:49 am

Aww, that's him in your avatar? He's super cute! Does he have a wheel? He's so young he should get used to his new home and you fairly quickly. Smile

by Mouse_mom Thu 17 Dec 2020, 9:26 pm

All my mice were pretty shy at first, and one in particular was extra skittish, especially if I moved to fast or made any noise. I played music near their cage, and started offering them treats through the cage at first. Eventually I started opening the cage door and giving them treats that way, until they were comfortable climbing in my hand for treats. Just be patient with Figgus, and he'll warm up to you soon! Good luck!

by Dee67 Thu 17 Dec 2020, 10:39 pm

Hi y'all. Yep, thats my little bitty Fig as my avatar. That was taken when he was 4 weeks old by the lady who I bought him from. He's adorable with his long hair and quizzical face. He has a wheel but hasn't used it yet. I bought him a jungle gym with all different textures of natural fabrics and a woven base he can crawl in and out of, he loves that. He is still shy but warming up. He briefly used my hand as a bridge today. I had put my hand in for him to smell, he crossed it and I didn't move, just remained still and spoke to him. I sing to him a lot to let him know I'm around and when I'm not he listens to classical music on very low Laughing

He seems not too lonely, that was my main cocern, that he would get depressed but he's eating and exploring so all is well. Once he gets really comfortable I'll take some pics. Glad to have found this site!

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