Posted by Babyblue on March 12, 2003 at 18:21:29:
In Reply to: The father mouse posted by Animalaholic on March 12, 2003 at 17:34:05:
I'm not a breeder but from what I know I would never leave the male with the females. I've had 2 gerbils that were supposed to be 2 males and was surprised with a litter one morning. Since I didn't even know that the female was pregnant until the babies were born, even tho I separated the male right away she was pregnant again and gave birth a to a second litter a few weeks later. While she was a wonderful mom, it was apparent that she wasn't as attentive to the second litter as she was to the first, and even tho the first litter was wasn't nursing anymore she was definitely stressed about having those babies as well as the newborns (the females lived with her until they were adopted out)
While males might be good dads and help out with the litter, as you already know they'll also get the female get pregnant right away which will be VERY stressful for her. Many breeders I know give the females at least 3 mos between each litter.
