Pinky Mice

Birds of Prey:
Raptor chicks can be fed pinky mice, particularly as they are being transitioned from a chopped food diet to whole foods. Sick or thin raptors taken into care at a wildlife rehabilitation center may find pinky mice easier to digest as they recover. Pinky mice are a good choice for those birds of prey that normally feed on rodents in the wild. Chicks often transition onto adult mice and rats more easily when started on pinkies and adult birds are more likely to readily take familiar food when they are hospitalized.

Thousands of sick, injured or orphaned birds of prey are rescued every year and brought to local Wildlife Rehabilitation facilities to be cared for until they can return to the wild. If you find an injured, sick or orphaned raptor, or any other wild animal, please contact your nearest local wildlife rehabilitator. You can view our list of wildlife rehabilitators to find the one closest to you.

Reptiles:
Pinky mice are also a good choice for young carnivorous snakes and lizards as they are easy to digest. Starting young reptiles on pinky mice may make it easier to get them to eat whole mice and rats as they get older. Reptiles who have had health problems may also benefit from eating pinky mice as they recover, particularly if they have not been eating well. Starting with easy to digest pinkies be less stressful to they body.

Wild Carnivore Diet:
Just as pinky mice are a good transition food for young birds of prey, they can also be an important part of the diet of wild carnivores as they are weaned off of formulas or mother’s milk and onto whole foods. For rescued wild carnivores, who have not been able to hunt due to injury or illness, the easily digestible pinkies are a good starter option as their digestive tracts are adjusting again to whole foods.