Understanding Animal Records: Maturity, Received Date & Multiple Dams
Several animal record concepts affect breeding automation and record accuracy. This guide explains how Moustra determines maturity, how the received date tracks arrivals, and how multiple dams are recorded for fostering scenarios.
How maturity is determined
An animal is considered mature (and eligible for mating) when either its wean date has passed or it is at least 21 days old. Juvenile animals that haven't reached maturity are excluded from mating consideration.
Maturity drives auto-mating
The maturity check drives auto-mating logic — when you place a mature male and mature female in the same cage, a mating is automatically created.
Track the received date
The received date tracks when an animal was received into your facility — whether from a vendor, collaborating lab, or animal transfer. It is separate from date of birth and is set from the animal's detail page.
Record multiple dams
Moustra supports tracking multiple dams (mothers) per animal, accommodating scenarios like cross-fostering where pups may be nursed by a foster mother in addition to their biological mother.
Set dam relationships
Record both biological and foster dam relationships on an animal's detail page. This level of detail supports accurate breeding records and genetic tracking in research colonies.
More in Advanced
Quick Edit Cell
Edit values directly in any data grid: double-click an editable cell and Moustra shows the right input (text, number, date, or dropdown). Press Enter to save or Escape to cancel.
How to Print Cage Cards
Print cage labels with animal tags, strain, and IACUC information for physical cage identification.
How to Connect Slack
Receive real-time notifications in Slack for litters, weans, and colony milestones without logging into Moustra.