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Original poster

wild mice dilemma

16 replies

spheroid · 29/08/2021 02:33

Not sure if this is the best place to post this.

Back in November 2020, on different days, cat brought in 2 tiny mice - alive.

Kept them in a plastic box for a week and then went to Pets at Home and bought a proper cage. They're both males and they get on very well. I've read online that older males chase younger males out of the nest, and in winter the young males die quickly or get caught very quickly (and usually eaten).

I live in a suburban area and there are loads of cats, so I wasn't going to let them go round here, intended to take them down to a canal about half a mile away and let them go in the hedges/brambles.

But I still have them in their cage, they seem very happy, but at the same time longing to get out.

Should I let them go, or keep them in the cage ?

Time is running out to let them go.

OP posts:
Perching · 29/08/2021 02:50

Let them go while it is still warm enough for them to settle and set up home before winter, in case they make it to then

HirplesWithHaggis · 29/08/2021 03:00

You have raised them from infancy, they have no idea how to survive in the wild and will be killed/die of starvation very quickly if you release them. They may need separate cages - ask mouse experts - but setting them free is a death sentence.

Haven't you become a little attached to them? They only live about three years I think, not a massive commitment.

HirplesWithHaggis · 29/08/2021 03:02

Plus, isn't it illegal to release vermin?

Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 03:11

@Perching

Let them go while it is still warm enough for them to settle and set up home before winter, in case they make it to then
That's what I'm thinking too, I did intend to take them down to hedges/brambles near the canal in May or June when the cover and whatever they eat was maximum
OP posts:
Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 03:14

@HirplesWithHaggis

You have raised them from infancy, they have no idea how to survive in the wild and will be killed/die of starvation very quickly if you release them. They may need separate cages - ask mouse experts - but setting them free is a death sentence.

Haven't you become a little attached to them? They only live about three years I think, not a massive commitment.

I didn't raise them as such, not had any contact, they were old enough to eat whatever I gave them. They don't fight, they cuddle up together like brothers. They attacked a 3rd one when I added it several months later so I had to get it ut and keep it in the box but it died before I got another cage.

Yes I am kind of attached, I'd hate to let them go and then wonder whether an owl or rat got them.

OP posts:
Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 03:17

@HirplesWithHaggis

Plus, isn't it illegal to release vermin?
This is true for grey squirrels. But I've identified the mice (from pictures online) as being Field Mice - apparently Field Mice also live in suburban gardens. Field Mice aren't classified as vermin.
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HirplesWithHaggis · 29/08/2021 03:24

Fair enough on the vermin then, but I'd still keep them tbh.

Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 03:41

I guess it's the dilemma of whether a short but free life in the wild is better, or worse, than a long but confined life.

The other thing is, they really do cuddle up, and if I let them go they'd probably go separate ways, and from what I've seen, one of them is more agile than the other - I think the agile one would survive better, but apparently mice do like company too.

OP posts:
longerevenings · 29/08/2021 03:56

OP they are settled and comfortable. I would leave them where they are.
Mice are going to have very short lives indeed on average in the wild.

HirplesWithHaggis · 29/08/2021 03:56

I think you do need to speak to mice experts. I think their free life would be very, very short - but I understand your point about captivity. I will bow out at this point because I don't think I'm helping!

longerevenings · 29/08/2021 03:58

We have kept captivity bred mice, some boys have got along and one pair fought and had to be separated.
We haven't managed to get ours to live much beyond 18 months.

Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 04:13

Well they're 10 months old now so maybe they'd find another nest quickly - and kick out the male-in-charge there :O

On the other hand I can't see them digging their own nest and waiting for some gf's to turn up - if they only live 18 months then 10 months is possibly too old now.

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Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 04:15

Just thought - maybe put them in the bath and see if they can get used to human hands feeding them with something ?

OP posts:
urbanbuddha · 29/08/2021 04:56

I released a mouse, or possibly a vermin, into the middle of the park but that was the day I caught it. It tore off without a word of thanks or even a backward glance. If you've had these guys since last November I think they'll be too acclimatised to captivity to survive.

LaundryForever · 29/08/2021 05:18

I would speak to a local animal rescue as they are the experts.

Original poster
spheroid · 29/08/2021 12:54

I haven't been to a zoo for a long time but I'm sure I've seen mice enclosures in some zoos, so maybe a zoo might have them.

Otherwise, I did have a gerbil when I was young, so I'll get them into the bath and see if they get used to being fed by hand.

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