HELP! Baby mice!

kiwi · #1 (**permalink**) 15-07-2009, 04:23 PM

My dad has accidently dug up a nest with 4 baby mice in at the moment the mice are in a plastic tub with their nest, what should we do with them? They have been handled so i don't think the mother will accept them.

Help please

gez · #2 (**permalink**) 16-07-2009, 07:16 PM

put them back where you dug them up. but with a cover from rain. if it has been a while the mother will have gone! & will already be pregnant, i would not try to hand rear them to be honest.

kiwi · #3 (**permalink**) 17-07-2009, 09:34 AM

My dad put them back underground with a pipe leading to the nest so the mother could get in, she came back and searched for them but im not sure if she found them

Malx · #4 (**permalink**) 17-07-2009, 11:36 PM

Suggest in the meantime you give the critters something edible at least, since Mum's not there. Ideally I guess Mum will find her way back, but if they starve for want of a bit of food,(/drink) I think it'd be tragic for all concerned.
I guess they're too young to have been weaned, so seed/nuts are of no use to them??
Short life span, mice, so if in doubt try [something?] very very soon, rather than waiting for a post from someone a lot more useful than me...

Keep us informed, please.

P.S. If not weaned, would yoghurt or creme fraiche be a viable alternative to Mother's milk? Or are they so young you'll have to force milk down their tiny throats?

Good luck anyway, and don't feel bad if all fails.

Ciderpuss · #5 (**permalink**) 18-07-2009, 06:54 AM

I hope this situation worked out well in the end?

But if not how small were the pups or more importantly do they have fur yet? if they have fur & you may even be able to see teeth they will probably survive on thier own but if not unless Mum returns it is doubtfull. Mice wean between 18-21 days & once they've reached about 16 days (fur & teeth) they can do ok by themselves & if there are a few of them they will huddle together to keep warm which is a bonus.