Our mouse colony mamas taking in rejected feeders ❤️

One of my favorite parts of having a small mouse colony is this: when I need to supplement with store bought pinkies/peach fuzzies, the girls are ALL OVER taking in the rejected orphans. 🥹❤️‍🩹 It diversifies the gene pool while also ensuring the feeders have a warm, safe, nurturing environment until their time comes—and that when it comes, it is quick and merciful so that they do not suffer in any way.

These 5 large pinkies and peach fuzzies were rejected by some of my butthead 2023 corns, so I brought them in to my colony (which currently has several pregnant does and a small litter of fuzzies/hoppers) and let my girls do what they seemingly love to do. It’s *adorable*. This top level of the cage was quiet and appeared devoid of life; I put the babies on that top shelf, and within a minute there was a flurry of activity. Babies! Not in the nest! Cold and dirty! THIS CANNOT BE TOLERATED 🚨🚨🚨!!! The most maternal does immediately started grooming and soon whisking the babies down into the warm bedding of the lower level and then to the cozy floof-filled nest. (Note to horse owners: fleece wraps are AMAZING rodent nesting material! As you may have noticed in your tack rooms…😆) Love my good mama girls. ❤️