New skittish mom

Question
So I had this mouse eden for only a little while. I had gotten her for my other
*female* mouse to keep company, and well ended up having kids. Because
eden is so young and I didnt get to bond with her she is very skiddish. It has
been a week since the new pups were born and i havent held them yet. I
need to hold them or they might become wild I have read. however, every
time I go near her she runs to the babies. and if I look in her hut to take a
peek, she sits on top of them so i cant get near her. How can I get her out of
the hut so I can grab her to take her to another tank so I can hold the babies?
Also is it bad for me to pick up the hut to get her out? I have tried food and
nothing works. When she comes out on her own the second she sees or hears
me opening the cage she runs in. HELP. thanks!

Answer
Dear Maddy,

In the following post I explain how to get a mouse used to being picked up, and how to pick up a shy mouse:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2009/6/mouse-used-picked.htm

It is important that you begin to handle the babies this week.  If you can't lure the mother out of the nest into a toilet paper tube or other toy, you may have to resort to picking up the hut with her in it.  I don't know what your hut is like, so I don't know how upsetting this might be to her.  You might want to transfer the pups into something that you can both pick up (full) and also take the top off of easily so the babies don't get jostled when you take the mother out.

The pet store that gave you the pregnant mouse by accident may feel responsible enough to take the babies, but they will probably have to be tame.  

Have fun!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha