How Old Do Rats Have to Be to Breed?
WouterWhen deciding whether or not to breed your rats, it’s important to understand the age requirement for breeding. Rats typically mate six to fifteen times per year. This number varies according to species. Females typically will not mate with one male; they will mate with many individuals in the wild.
Rats should be about 50 days old to begin mating. They are born with closed eyes and ears and weigh about one-fourth of an ounce. At about two weeks of age, baby rats start eating solid food. They can be weaned from their mother, though they may continue to bond with her. Male rats will most likely stay with their mother for a long time before reproducing.
In order to breed successfully, a rat needs to be fit and healthy. An adult rat should have a glossy coat and feel firm and lively when handled. It should be tame, but not too young. A young rat will not be fully grown when it is six months old, but it will continue to grow until she is a year old. Lactation causes the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone.
Rats can be bred as early as six months of age, but it is best to breed females at six months of age. This will ensure that they are fully grown and healthy enough to care for a litter. Females should not have been bred before, and should never have been sick. Mating is a delicate process, and it requires careful management.
