I found six pinkies at my old job. I found the best way to make them defecate is a wet towel or cotton pad (warm water) and rub the genitals. I also fed them every two hours, like you. Even in the night, every two hours. Kept them in a shoe box on my desk, with face cloths and socks. Laid one layer of face cloth over them. Put on the lid to the box ajar, and had my desk lamp hovering directly over it, aiming down. I had the lamp's bulb about 1.25-1.5 feet above the lid of the box. It made my sleeping interesting but it only lasts a couple weeks. I fed them with a tiiiiiiny eyedropper I got at the pharmacy. They ate human baby formula made with homogenized milk (the 4% stuff). I, at the time, had NO idea what to do with them. So I was doing what I thought was best. They were doing fantastically!! When I'd take the lid off I'd say "Hello my cuties!" and they'd wormy wiggle in my direction. During those following 7 days, 3 died. One on one day, and two on another day. I'd open the lid to feed them and they'd just be gone all ready. It wasn't too warm or cool, I was way too picky about that. Just no education about it, and silly me didn't think to check to net for places like here to ask for help! The remaining 3 mice, were doing so good! Growing fur, eyelid crease, ears changing, much more mobile. Able to wobbily crawl around the box. I'd gotten a habitrail for them, for when they outgrew the box. Those next 7 days were so cool! Then my Dad and sister came to visit, and stayed with me. My sister at the time was 7. She peeked at the mice when I was working a short shift. When she replaced the lamp after looking, she walked away. But I had specifically told her not to look without Dad with her, because one of the two lamp arm springs was broken, so it was touchy and would sink low if not put just right (I have
the touch, and my Dad's just smart lol). So when she walked away she didn't see the arm sink low. Because when I came home from work, I went into my room and the lamp was resting on the lid!! GAH! I looked, they were dead
. I did however after that get my "first" mouse. So that long winded story goes to show you that what I chose to do went very well for me. OH! And....dont' trust old missing-a-spring lamps! *sigh*
