[tinyhartmouseries]

Hey! I was wondering if it was ever acceptable or would have a detrimental effect on the doe to cull an entire litter, or just to leave one. I am talking about instances where the litter was a mistake or the babies could have health risks or potentially serious issues.
How many of you have done this, and to what effect? I'm looking for some very factual information on this.

 

[MouseHeaven]

I've done it a few times in the past, it didn't seem to have a negative effect on my does. Infact, I honestly don't think it's detrimental to them, the extra nutrients would go right back to her system. Sometimes when a mother is nursing a large litter, if she is not being fed the correct nutrients and vitamins than her body will begin to use its own storage. Typically this usually happens with calcium because they need it to produce milk. I've had a few does where I've culled the litter down to one, and two where I have culled them all. All my does live healthy lives, even after doing so; so I'm going to assume that it won't hurt them.

 

[Matt Haslam]

mmmm this might be a topic only suited to the culling section?

 

[Matt Haslam]

ahh thats better

I have never culled a whole litter.

 

[Bridgette Rena]

I have culled an entire litter. The doe had completely lost interest in being a mother and had stopped nursing them. They were basically starving to death. I felt it much more humane to euthanize than to allow them to continue to suffer. Mom was absolutely fine afterwards.

 

[tinyhartmouseries]

Sorry madhouse, I wasn't yet approved for the culling section and I wondered if just saying "culling" would be ok. I appreciate being approved and able to read my own thread, lol!
I appreciate the responses I'm getting and look forward to more!

 

[PPVallhunds]

ive done it in my feeder group as i breed them for food. If ive got Non feeder babies i will foster a pair or trio on to them or keep 1 female baby per feeder mum and later rehome them as pets. Is i like to let them raise something but when they not ive not seen it effect them.

 

[Rhasputin]

I've never seen an issue with it. But I wouldn't do it to the same doe twice. That might cause issues I'd think.

 

[WillowDragon]

I've culled an entire line of mice for producing feeble offspring. Its something you have to be prepared to do if you are line/inbreeding

 

[moustress]

I would do it if it seemed like the best thing, for a number of reasons.

I wonder if any other breeders breed does in order to have a doe lactating in case of a problem another doe has with her litter, in order to have a foster mom available. It's one of the reasons I tend to do at least three pairings in the same period.

 

[Laigaie]

I haven't done that, moustress, but it sounds like a fantastic idea if you have a doe whose litter you don't want to have to cull at all. If that pairing was extremely important for your line, say if you were trying to replace a aging or ill stud buck, that would definitely be the way to go, rather than risk culling the best one.