How to open a mouse breeding facility? - briefly
Secure necessary permits, design a barrier‑controlled facility with regulated ventilation, temperature, and humidity, and implement a rigorous health‑monitoring protocol. Acquire a defined breeder stock, establish standard operating procedures for colony management, and train personnel in aseptic handling.
How to open a mouse breeding facility? - in detail
Establishing a rodent breeding operation begins with a clear understanding of legal and ethical obligations. Identify the governing agency—such as the USDA, FDA, or local animal welfare board—and obtain the necessary licenses, permits, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval before any construction or acquisition of animals.
Design the facility to separate clean, dirty, and quarantine zones. Allocate space for breeding cages, weaning rooms, holding areas, and a dedicated isolation suite. Ensure ventilation provides at least 12 air changes per hour, with HEPA filtration on exhaust lines. Install temperature control (20‑26 °C) and humidity regulation (40‑60 %). Provide non‑slipping flooring, stainless‑steel surfaces, and easy‑to‑clean walls.
Select equipment that supports routine husbandry and experimental needs. Required items include:
- Individually ventilated cages (IVC) with automatic watering and bedding systems.
- Cage washing autoclave capable of reaching 121 °C for sterilization.
- Environmental monitoring devices for temperature, humidity, and ammonia levels.
- Stereoscopic microscopes, genotyping stations, and data‑capture software.
- Backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies for critical systems.
Develop a health‑monitoring program that includes quarterly pathogen screening, vaccination records, and a defined protocol for dealing with outbreaks. Maintain a breeding calendar that tracks matings, gestation periods, litter sizes, and weaning dates to optimize genetic lines and prevent overpopulation.
Staffing must cover animal care, veterinary oversight, and administrative duties. Hire certified animal technicians familiar with rodent handling, cage cleaning, and record maintenance. Require a veterinary consultant with experience in laboratory animal medicine to oversee health assessments and emergency interventions.
Implement a comprehensive record‑keeping system. Log each animal’s identification number, strain, birth date, parental lineage, health status, and experimental use. Store data in a secure, backed‑up digital platform that allows audit trails and regulatory reporting.
Biosecurity measures protect the colony from external contamination. Enforce controlled access points, require personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, shoe covers) for all personnel, and establish a foot‑bath or air‑lock entry for equipment. Conduct routine disinfection of surfaces with approved agents and schedule periodic deep‑cleaning cycles.
Prepare a budget that accounts for capital expenditures (construction, equipment, licensing) and ongoing costs (feed, bedding, consumables, personnel salaries, veterinary services). Allocate contingency funds for unexpected repairs or regulatory changes.
Create a timeline that outlines major milestones: licensing (Month 1), design and construction (Months 2‑5), equipment installation (Month 6), staff recruitment and training (Months 5‑7), colony acquisition and quarantine (Month 8), and full operational status (Month 9). Monitor progress against this schedule and adjust resources as needed to meet target dates.