Feed preference and feeding behavior of different mouse species in laboratory housing

The feed preference of two species of wild mice, the house mouse (Mus musculus), and the mound-building mouse (Mus spicilegus) was investigated (kept in our laboratory for 25 generations). Our interest focused on the feed preference (i.e. if the mice choose the type of feed closest to their natural food). The proximate composition of the two granulated feeds offered to mice differed minimally; the crude fat and crude fibre content of the natural feed mixture was higher, and only this feed contained insect protein. Based on the obtained results, both wild mice species approached the natural feed mixture more frequently than the two other granulated feeds. The same tendency was observed for feed consumption where the animals mostly consumed the natural feed mixture. During the 5-day long study, the consumption of the natural feed mixture increased continuously, while the consumption of the granulated laboratory feed decreased significantly. The average feed consumption was also influenced by room temperature. Our studies can help to develop the optimized indoor keeping and breeding of small domesticated mammals.