New ideas for homemade toys
Cargo net: If you are any good at knitting or especially crocheting, or know someone who is, then this is a very simple and effective toy (and very cheap). All you have to do is buy some cotton-based material to use like that used for knitting dishcloths and make yourself a net. Make sure that you measure how tall your tank is before making the net, leaving it hanging a few inches above the floor (when substrate is in the tank) to avoid it getting soiled. It is a good idea to make the net wide enough to allow two mice to pass each other to avoid traffic jams! Remember to make the holes wide enough for footholds but not so big that the mice have trouble using the net. The holes don’t need to be any bigger than 1cm square.
Mice enjoy both climbing a net and sitting on top of it for a look around...
Basket nest: Have a look in your local pet shop, or even better, one that specialises in birds. Buy a parrot or bird nest covered with coconut hair that is intended to be attached by a wire to the side of a bird cage or aviary. Remove the wire and tie three equal length pieces of strong string to the basket and attach to the roof of your mouse tank. Make sure the knots are large and secure as they will be chewed by the mice, and the string probably also used for climbing. Fill the nest with some bedding and place treats in there for an interesting exploring experience for the mice. In summer the mice will be grateful of this as a cooler place than their usual house in which to sleep.
Four does in a hanging basket nest: so far the record stands at seven adults!
Homemade wooden house: All you need for this are four pieces of decent wood (not pine or cedar), one of which has an arch cut in for the door and some small wire mesh. Measure four sides for the house of your chosen dimensions and screw together (or staple using a strong staple gun). You will be left with a square or rectangle with no roof or floor. Then cover the roof (without the arch door) in wire mesh and fix into place. The mesh roof will provide ventilation for the mice and also allow you to see them while they are inside the house. You do not need a floor since you will supply bedding for the mice to make their own nest inside the house. Remember not to paint or varnish your wood since the mice will chew it, and make sure there are no sharp edges or dangerous pieces where the mice could do damage to themselves.
Two does peeking out of a homemade
wooden house
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