Rodent Feini, Flecki, Flora
The funny world of the colour mice Feini, Flecki and Flora
Due to health problems, a new forever home had to be found for three coloured mice. The acquisition of Feini, Flecki and Flora fulfilled a wish of the family’s two children, but the mother’s health now takes precedence.
After a brief enquiry to the animal emergency centre at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf, the adoption of Feini, Flecki and Flora (each just under a year old) was approved.
Moving into Gut Aiderbichl with the “home” furnishings
On the day of the admission in Henndorf, Feini, Flecki and Flora arrived at the farm with two cages, connecting pipes, houses, ladders, ropes, etc. Anna, our animal keeper for foxes, mice, rats, chinchillas and ferrets, took over the arriving coloured mice, who immediately sniffed out that they were now in a new environment.
What should children and parents know if they want to keep coloured mice?
The sociable colour mouse lives in Europe, North Africa and Asia and is descended from the grey house mouse. Unlike rats, colour mice like to cuddle with humans. But beware, they are very agile and if they escape, you need a lot of time, patience and calm to get the little friends back into the cage.
Here are the most important points for keeping coloured mice:
- coloured mice are nocturnal animals
- People canreact allergically to animal hair or hay. As a result, the eyes run, coughing and runny nose occur, the eyes can run, etc.
- coloured mice can live up to four years and are sexually mature from the 4th week of life. They are sexually mature from the 4th week of life and there can be up to 12 litters with up to 12 young per year
- In private husbandry, at least two mice of the same sex must be kept
- Colour mice are “sporty”.The cage should be as large as possible and have narrow bars to prevent the mice from escaping.
In order to be able to live out their joy of movement, coloured mice also need little houses, ladders and climbing equipment. Feini, Flecki and Flora love their running wheels more than anything and use them to keep themselves in top form.
- Was wird gefüttert?Coloured mice love grains, dandelions, cucumbers, carrots, fruit and millet slices. If you want to give them a special treat, you can also feed them mealworms, for example. The water bowls must always be filled.
- Coloured mice are uncomplicated to keep, but cage hygieneis important. The bowlsand the litter box corner mustbe cleaned daily. Two times a weekthe litter must be changedand all accessories must be washed with hot water. This is the only way to ensure that bacteria don’t stand a chance and the clan stays lively.
Feini, Flecki and Flora create a good atmosphere
Feini, Flecki and Flora are happy in their new colour mouse flat and so is Anna, their animal keeper, because a good mood is contagious.
Feini, Flecki and Flora know exactly: when Anna arrives, they are cleaned, re-littered and checked to make sure all three girls are doing well. If they are, there’s always a delicious treat to pick up from Anna’s.
Animals are the best of friends. They don't ask questions and don't criticise.
– Mark Twain
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
