Keeping my pet mice outdoors?

Question

Okay, so since my mousery has grown and I am keeping more mice I need more room. So far they have been living inside the house but they're beginning to cause problems - as you can imagine. I have a small shed outside in the yard made from wood with a tin roof - it's under a tree so has shade for most of the day. My question is this:

How can I keep them from getting too cold at night? It can reach really low temperatures here. I have some male mice that need to live alone, and also breed Hairless mice.

How can I make sure it doesn't get too hot during the day?

Would it be alright to use the fish tanks I've been keeping them in? They have good ventilation.

No stupid answers please, you're wasting your own time.

Answer 1

i've heard that fish tanks aren't that great to keep mice in because they only get air from the top. try a wire cage instead (they usually are pretty affordable).



first off the shed is going to need a good thermometer. mice can only be at certain temperature or bad things happen (not sure what those temperatures are, but i'm sure that you can easily find them).



as for the shed's cooling issues....good ventilation will go a long way (i'm thinking doors and any windows open), but you're most likely going to need more than that. fans to move the air, and ways for your mice to cool down (ice cubes/blocks? i'd do some research on it).



heating issues....a good space heater and a fan to circulate it should do well. however, you are going to have to monitor it. get a model that shuts off after the area is a set temperature.



good luck, hope i helped!

Answer 2

im sorry but i don't think keeping them outside is a very bad idea especially using a GLASS fish tank. Just as with any GLASS the sun will magnify( like you cant keep anything in a car with the windows up) and it will be twice as hot same as the cold. then you plan on a tin roof which actually attracts the uv rays. If you already have a mousery then you know they do not regulate heat or the cold very well especially the hairless mouse. I am recommending you find another way to house your mice.

Good Luck

Answer 3

If you really want a pet mouse then there are plenty in the pet store. It is just cruel to keep a mouse when it is so used to the wild and doing its own thing. It my get depressed and die. Buying a mouse at the pet store only costs about $7-13 depending where you get it. Crittletrail has a wide variety of cages and can offer you some very fun playhouses for your mouse. Nutriphase food works great, although it has A lot of corn kernels and those will need to be taken out. ( some believe that is causes cancer). Now bedding wise NEVR USE CEDAR OR ASPEN! it is horrible for small animals respiratory system. I use carefresh ULTRA. Works great and lasts a lot longer. All you need now is a wheel, water bottle, and of course, love and attention for your new pet! Enjoy your new friend!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Tin roofs probably aren't a safe thing to store animals under, as they can retain heat and the area underneath could reach very high temperatures.



The shade could make a difference, go inside during the hottest part of the day to check this. If you can stand hanging around for long, it will be okay for your mice. Double check this in summer or if the weather is unusually hot.

When it comes to the cold, mice are usually okay due to their burrowing trait. Providing them with heat-retaining material to use, like foam and wool, will help protect them too. Another possibility is making covers for the tanks. Thermal materials like the sort used in sleeping bags would be ideal.



Fish tanks should be fine, but pay special attention to security due to the higher possibility of snakes getting in.