Introducing new mice? ideas for a new female in with a pair of females?

[Lee]

So I have two female mice and I want to introduce a third female as company, to be kept in a trio in case one escapes or one dies and the other is not left completely alone and rip all her fur out then die etc. Sensible reasons yes.

What shall I do to go about this? my girls are almost 6 months old, they were from the same tank in the pet shop and get along perfectly together, are very nice and good with people and one of them poked her nose through the bars when I was holding her to see my male and she was not aggressive in the slightest so I'm sure they will be ok with another mouse. The mice in the shop are all 7-9 weeks of age will it be ok to introduce? I know people do it with older females and young females as they are good company.

I know how to introduce rabbits and have an idea on mice, any specific times? any help with getting them to bond? getting them to live together after a good few days? I know about trust and them meeting on mutual ground, I have never done this with mice before and I'm wondering for some help on this situation? girls cage is big its a double floor gerbil cage so they have plenty of room. Help?

thanks a bunch also my

 

[Tes]

It is a very easy process Just put vanilla extract around the cage on on your mouse nose put this on the new females nose as well. There will be no fighting because everything smells the same and htere is nothing to fight over.

 

[lovemice]

I start by putting the cages near each other so the mice get accustomed to the new smells in the air. Mice may have bad eyesight, but their sense of smell is incredible. Swap items between the cages such as igloos so the mice really get used to the scents of the other(s). I also swap empty paper towel rolls and plastic tubes. Some people after a few days will even swap entire houses so that the resident mice move into the new doe's home and vice versa. As you already stated, pick a neutral territory for the meetings. I use the couch with an old sheet over it, but some people prefer the bathtub. Put out some toys and hide-aways but be sure everything is freshly washed so nobody gets territorial. Supervise these meetings, and increase the time together each day. When you feel comfortable housing them all together, wash the home and all accessories they shall be sharing so again nobody gets territorial. You may hear minor squabbles, but as long as no blood is drawn, the does will eventually bond. Sometimes the process is very quick, and others it takes a bit. Recently it took about 2 weeks to get my Miss Tree Mouse to stop being a troublemaker to my MegaMouse, but they are very close friends now. TFM is an excellent mouse forum that has a section on introductions. They may have some other ideas:

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/introducing.cfm

All ages are fine for introducing doe mice to one another. Just be sure to quarantine the new mouse in a separate air space away from the resident mice for 3 weeks in case she has any underlying illnesses.

Good luck with the introductions. In 15 years of doing them with many, many mice, it only failed twice where a doe refused to get along with anyone so the odd are in your favor.

ADDENDUM: Regarding vanilla, please do not put it all around the cage or on the noses. It wil make them sick to be in contact with such a large amount of vanilla. Also, the proper method for using it is a drop on the rumps of the initial introduction. It may or may not make the process easier, but do not expect anymore than that from the use of it. Do not use it past the first meeting as it will have not be effective and will do no good. Please see "Sweet Smells" at TFM's link for complete details:

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/introducing.cfm#sweetsmells