How Old Can Rats Breed?

Rats can live to be 100 years old and can have big litters of up to 14 babies. However, there are some factors you should keep in mind before breeding rats for pets. Firstly, you need to ensure that the adult rats are healthy enough to breed. You should also avoid breeding rats that have respiratory symptoms or are susceptible to mycoplasma. In addition, you need to keep in mind that rats can produce large litters; an average litter size can range from eight to fourteen babies.

The reproductive age of a female rat varies from one breed to another, but it is usually around 18 months. In some cases, the breeding period may be delayed by an unusually dark or cold winter. Hot summers and longer days can also affect fertility. A doe is considered infertile when she reaches about 18 months of age, but an older doe can still produce litters. Older does may also suffer from strokes and may become infertile.

Moreover, responsible breeders don’t breed female rats before their first year, and wait until the female rats reach about one and a half to two years of age. They want to make sure that the new babies are healthy and don’t have any aggression. To do this, they wait until the females are weaned from their previous litter.