caring for wild baby mice

Question
QUESTION: I found several baby mice about 2 weeks ago and want to know if I am doing the right thing with taking care of them.  Their eyes opened about 5 days ago.  I have been feeding them diluted kitten formula with a syringe and IV cath every 4 hours around the clock since we found them.  I just introduced soaked, crushed crackers to their diet and they love them.  My question is, when can I start feeding them less frequently?  Also, they arch their backs when feeding with their mouths open, I was wondering if this is normal?  They seem to be doing great, sleeping, eating and voiding.  One is growing much larger than the other one, but both are eating frequently.  I would like to stretch out their night feedings so that I can get a bit of sleep, can I safely do this?  I appreciate your help in this matter and look forward to your help and response.  Thank you

ANSWER: Dear Maria,

This is definitely a time to start introducing them to seeds.  They open their eyes at 14 days and wean between 21-25 days.  They should definitely have an interest in some solid food. It's really easiest to buy a mouse and rat seed mix at your pet store.  if they don't have that, a hamster/gerbil mix is fine.  If you want to feed them from your larder, any kind of seed is great:  Millet, sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, etc.  They can have some bread or, more fun, HEALTHY cereal.  They will be cute eating these things.  You should still offer them the milk say every 6 then 8 hours until they don't want it or seem to be doing great with the seeds.  Then they can have some vegetables and a little fruit.  They will probably eat anything you would, but they need a balanced diet.  For a big treat, popped popcorn with butter and salt.  They will be in mouse heaven!  Only every once in a while.  Popped popcorn with nothing on it is fine more often.  

I'm sure the back arching is fine.

Have fun!

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response!  I am reassured now that I am caring for them properly.  I did notice today that their fur seems to be thinning in various places...neck and head.  Could it be from me wetting their fur and cleaning them with water after they eat their crackers and milk..it gets all over them and dries rock hard if I don't clean them, or could they have something going on?  I truly appreciate all of your help.  I also know that I have 2 males, is it safe to keep them together?  The one is so much bigger than the other one and I read that one can become dominate and harm the other.  I look forward to your response.  Thanks again!  Maria

Answer
Dear Maria,

It's best not to get a mouse wet, although little babies do need to be washed by their moms; but aren't they beginning to clean themselves yet?  I would stop doing that at this point.  You are probably right about the reason for the thinning.  It's pretty cool that you have wild babies with their eyes open that will let you handle them like that.  They are going to be the tamest little wild mice yet!  But they do need to start becoming independent.  

Try giving them less milk in the mixture.  Make it something they can chew on.  Try a whole grain cracker or Wasa bread or something that will get a little soft but will not make a mess.  It will be a good way to get them started on solid food.  Make sure they always have food in the cage, so they aren't reliant on special feeding times. I think they will surprise you at how fast they will learn to crack seeds with their teeth.

Males do often fight, though littermates can sometimes stay together.  The fact that one is a lot bigger may be an advantage-- the little one may never challenge the big one and so they wouldn't  have to fight.  All you can do is wait and see.  There might be a lot of chasing and squeaking, but everything is fine as long as there is no blood or torn ears.  If they are chasing when you are there, you can pick one up to give the little one a rest.  Or pick them both up.  Mice don't generally fight at all on a person.

Have fun!  I'd love to see them.  I haven't raised wild babies myself, so I haven't held a tame 'wild' mouse!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha