How long is the gestation period?
The average length of pregnancy is about 3 weeks, 22 days being the normal. Expect between 6 and 12 young in the litter, although litters of 20 are not unheard of. How do I know that the young are healthy?
Birth weights vary with the size of litter, the larger the litter the smaller the offspring. They are born very immature - hairless, with eyes and ears closed. Hair begins to grow within the first week, and and ears and eyes are open by the end of the second week. During the third week the young will be moving about a little, and eating a little solid food such as brown bread soaked in warm milk. When will the young be independent?
Weaning begins at 3 weeks, and the mother may be removed as soon as you are sure they are self-sufficient. Young rats should be segregated according to sex by the 45th day, otherwise unwanted mating may occur. |
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