Advice on Looking after a Baby Orphan Field mouse

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Mousie

about 10days old

They must be older as they arnt weaned until they are 18-22 days old, and wouldnt be able to cope with solids.

[Mousie]

Yes, you are probably right - they are at the eyes open covered with hair stage- but only just! They are just so incredibly tiny! Mice are 'cute' anyway - but these are enchanting!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Mousie

Yes, you are probably right - they are at the eyes open covered with hair stage- but only just! They are just so incredibly tiny! Mice are 'cute' anyway - but these are enchanting!

This is good as its the milk stage that is the hardest to look after them in, they will quickly grow and become independent, try not to handle them. Feed them a mixture of seeds, fruit/veg sweetcorn is good, they will eat practically anything from worms to mushrooms. Dont leave it to long in releasing them as they will want to build up nests and extra fat reserves for the winter, although they dont hibernate they change their habits quite alot.

[Mousie]

Well the baby mice have done brilliantly - they are proper mice now, and I have resisted the temptation to play with them! They are still only half size - but I know I should release them while it is warmer weather - should I do it now - or give them a week or so more to get a bit bigger?
I have chosen a large bramble patch to let them go in, as there are two semi feral cats hunting here - (I am not a cat person, but no one has told the cats that - although my dogs are trying to put the point across!)
Should I release them in daylight, at night, or early morning?

[Dogghound]

Release them now although is it wise with two cats there? perhaps somewere away from the cats would be better. Release time doesnt matter so much when there is plenty of cover.

[xohannaxo]

Hi, I found 4 baby field mice without their eyes open under a work bench in the garage. Since then 3 have died. I have been feeding them Kitten milk and rubbing their tummy and helping Rue ( the name of the mouse) go to the bathroom after eating. I dont know if he is going to make it. I need to get a gram scale to find out how much to feed him and i really hope he survives. Any suggestions?

[brookecoli]

Hello im in abit of a muddle too.... this morning i found 2 nests in my sofa of baby field mice. The mother wasn't there and i heard them squeaking more so i moved them and i don't want mice in my sofa. I told mum and dad and they didn't want them in the house... me and my sister put them in a ice cream box with a wee bed and bread and water in a little thing. There soooo small, there eyes are shut and they have some fur.... i heard that if you don't fed them every 2 hours they die and i don't want them to die =[. whats the proper food times and how many hours between every fed?.... i don't know if there eating properly.. my sister says they are because they make a sqeaking noice when the milk goes on there face and she sees them lick it but i haven't... all i have is full milk and i don't know when they have had too much or not enough. it's there first night in the shed and me looking after them... ive fed them 2 times but i duno if im doing it right. help =/... theres 6 of them together and when i touch them there coldish but i put them in shreaded news paper and puffed on them because i thought the heat from my mouth would warm them up. I am expecting the worst in the morning when i check them =[ im gonna try and check them as much as i can tonight but i dont think i can every 2 hours cause i need sleep aswel... what do you suggest? i need a fast ryply.

[Za]

Hi Brookecoli, welcome to WAB, I`m afraid I cant be of much help, but perhaps some tissue paper or cotton wool would help to keep them warm,some of the previous posts suggest puppy milk, but I know its not always possible for everyone to find this locally ,hopefully someone with more advice will be along soon to give you more advice, good luck to you and your mice, but whatever happens at least you know you tried your best for them.
Ideally they might stand a better chance if you could find a local wildlife rescue to take care of them, very small animals can need a lot of specialist care, might be a good idea to check for local rescuers.
Za