mouse pregnancy, companions, incest, smell

Question
QUESTION: so 3 questions in one.  I got my daughters 7 mice not that
long ago. I've always loved animals and when she had asked
me for one mouse, just one mouse mommy, i had to.  but, i
got 5 from a breeder (a novice breeders, as I found out
upon arrival). three from one 'batch' and two from another.  
I stopped at a pet store for a wheel and then there were
these two beauties... so thats the story.

-one from the breeder is, i am almost positive, pregnant.  
she's a pear with noticeable more-solid bulges at the hips
and she wasn't when I got her 10 days ago.  should i
separate her from the group? maybe with one other one? i
had read another response to a similar question but there are other factors I would like to bring up.
-they bicker/squabble. sometimes chasing each other around.
btu when i chose them I only got the ones who where
friendly with me they weren't  skiddish or aggressive.  i
am afraid she will not feel safe with them and resort to
some extreme measures that I'd rather she didn't.
-there is one in particular who seems to be an outcast of
sorts.  she is extremely gentle and docile and fluffy. but
she gets into alot of 'fights' and hides alot and i have
beenr eally watching her the past two days and she'll
defend her little corner and hide in it almost instantly
when another comes around, and her sleep cycle is like the
opposite of everyone else's. yet i can't pin-point a bully.
-they are all quite young and two look like they are just
barely out of the hopper stage.
- they are all in a 33 gallon aquarium with a mess top and
there are a couple of structures at add levels to it to
expand space a bit.  the measurements are 18" high, 12"
deep, and 36 " long. (now that  i see them all in there I
am really considering re-homing two or three for comfort's
sake. do you think its crowded?

so there are all my concerns, thank you so much!  I would
love to see pics of your mouse homes!

ANSWER: Dear Violet,

I love it that she asked for a mouse and you got seven.  You got Mouse Fever!  Believe me, there's no cure for it and it's for life!

1.  You're right that the breeder was a novice.  No good breeder makes a mistake and lets a mouse get pregnant by accident. Yes, I would separate the pregnant one with one or two others that she seems to get along with.  It's a pity that the babies are coming when the squabbling isn't over.  You don't want Mommy Mouse distracted by fighting when she wants to take care of her babies, and you are right that it *could* lead to something dreadful-- such as her killing her babies.  But she definitely would love some company. I have an unexpected litter right now and there are five females in the cage (no males; it seems to be divine intervention-- or a wild mouse that got in~) and of the four non-mommies, three have become extremely motherly and wash the babies and bring them where they are supposed to be and sit on them to keep them warm.  The last one just doesn't care.

2.  The bickering will end. They are trying to figure out who is the A-Mouse, just like dogs do.  I am a little concerned about Miss Fluffy, though.  I hope she does sleep with them or at least in the nest? When she gets into fights who is chasing whom?  As you have probably read, I don't worry about squabbling unless there is blood or somebody is being prevented from eating or sleeping with the others.  One thing is, the docility of a mouse with you has little connection with whether or not that mouse will bully other mice.  I had a mouse who attacked all the others terribly, so she had to live alone-- and she was the sweetest mouse ever.  By the way, when she died, the others in the cage nearby mourned (lost weight), which is how I know they communicate between cages.  So keep cages close if you separate them.

3.  33 gallons is fine for seven mice.  It sounds like a fun place.  Just be careful you don't fall in love with other mice every time you go into a pet store for a wheel!  The only thing wrong with a lot of pet mice is that it gets impossible to hold them all every day.  Seven is about my limit too.  

My best wishes for everyone to get along and the babies to grow up well!  You need to start finding homes for at least the males right away.  Please write back with further questions.  You sound like an excellent Mouse Companion.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. I contacted the breeder and the possible father of her
pups has the same father but a different mother as she
does.  
    -how will this effect the pups?

2.she is in the middle of a nesting frenzy as I type and
another mouse has taken it upon herself to help.  she is
doing these spazzy little hop-arounds too;
    -is there a reason for this?
    -she's a good one to have with her right?

3. the smell.  I don't mind it but,
    -how do others react to it?
    -what bedding do you use? (I have aspen shavings)
    -what room do you keep your mice in?
i am so tempted to give two away just to cut down on smell
but, I don't know that I can part with any.

4. she is, i am guessing, two weeks pregnant ('cause she
just started showing- she was tiny when i got her)
    -should i separate her right away?
    - or is it better to leave with the crew longer?


I'll get back to you on the fluffy one, I need to observe a
bit more.  I am relieved to hear the bickering will end
though!

Answer
Dear Violet,

1.  That's ok, mice are very incestuous!  In all likelihood there will be no problem.

2.  It's a good sign that she is nesting.  Don't worry about the hops.  My mice do that too. I see it as excess energy.  Yes, the helpful  mouse sounds like a good friend.

3.  Some people are offended by mouse smell.  However, if you keep the cage clean (clean at least every two weeks, freshening up the corners in between), it shouldn't be unpleasant.  Dogs smell much worse!  I sometimes use wood shavings and sometimes use a paper product.  Cedar chips minimize smell but some mice are allergic to cedar, so you would want to watch carefully for sneezing or other problems.   I keep my mice in the bedroom, so I can see them when I wake up in the morning.  It's a good way to start the day with a smile!

4.  Separate them right away.  She may be further along than you think, and also she won't want to move when she has made her nice nest.  

Best of luck!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha