Can I add one male mice to my cage with two older male mice?

Question

So I've had mice for 4-5 months.  I started out four, but one, Matthias, is a major bully and ended up killing one of them, Mattimeo.  I still have three, but Matthias bullies the other two a lot and I'm afraid he's going to kill them as well so I'm going to take him to Petco tonight and basically let them adopt him.  My question is if once he's gone, can I get another male mouse to put with my remaining two mice, Martin and Methuselah, or is it likely that they'll bully the new guy?  I really don't want a repeat performance with all the bullying.  Thanks!

lovemice · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately buck mice past the age of 4 weeks old must be housed alone as they can and do fight, often until death as you found out. (There are rare cases of housing bucks together, but never pet store mice and only from well tracked lines in "some" European countries.) Details follow:

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/keeping-mice-together.cfm

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/breeding2.cfm#WeaningSeparation
(second paragraph)
http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13274
(If you cannot read the above thread, you will need to register first.)

Please do not blame your Matthias. It is normal for bucks to get territorial when their hormones kick in. I realize it is a pain to care of more than one cage, but if your Matthias has already bonded with you, you might consider just separating the bucks. They are completely happy with only contact from their human. I am a doe person, but there are many mouse people that prefer bucks as no gender is "better. A thread on TFM highlights the merits of bucks:

http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7983&hilit=hear+it+for+the+boys#p84388
(Again, if you cannot read the above thread, you will need to register first.)

In answer to your Q, no, I would not replace Matthias with another buck. In fact, I would separate the ones you have.

I am sorry for the loss of your Mattimeo. TFM has a Mousie Heaven category where you can post a memorial to him if you wish. It has brought me much comfort when I lose a mouse.

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Can I add one male mice to my cage with two older male mice?

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