A little picture series I put together of the breeder mice that DH teases me about because I spend so much time observing my little "mouse-ciety"

Male mouse with one of his babies

Babies in the nest (about 1 - 1.5 weeks old)

Mom in the nest with babies

Checking out the hand

Female mouse "Q" eating a strawberry

Enjoying some yarn

Very cool.  Yeah I will spend a lot of time just watching all of my mice do what they do.  It can be very fascinating, and entrancing.  I absolutely love it. 

Awuhhh mousie babiesss :]

I didn't spend a lot of time watching my mice or rats.  I tend to get attached to an animal and then I can't use it as a meal for a snake. 

The little time I did spend with them (cleaning and other maintenance) I seen just how smart they are.  Especially the rats!

Yea, that's why I don't spend nearly as much time messing with the mice in the grow out/holding tub. I figure it's "OK" to get attached to the breeders, as they will be sticking around for the long-term.  Since I am using them for my own gain for their entire reproductive lives and "working" them, I don't intend to feed them off once they are too old to breed, I'm going to set up a "mousy retirement community", and only thwack and feed them off once it's apparent that they are suffering more than enjoying life. 

Maybe I should start work on their little bungalows................. lol