How do i tell when my rat is going to give birth

Question

i have a young rat that is pregnant and i wanted to know how to tell if she is going to give birth?

Answer 1

a rats gestation is between 21-28days... average being around 23.

she can have as many babies as 28. but most have around 12-14 kits.

you will know the time is near as she will have got very big around the belly...(will look like she has swallowed a tennis ball) this happens in the last week of pregnancy and you will notice about 3 days before the birth...clean her cage out and put fresh bedding in. please do not disturb her nest if she has made one as this can stress her.

put white bedding in prefferably as then you can check for spotting of blood (usually happens a few hours before birth)

she will be stretching out alot and trying to get comfy.

when she is giving birth please dont disturb her.

she may give birth in more than one place but thats fine as she will move the kits to one nest when she has finished.

just have a quick look to make sure she is doing ok and there is no problems. but nothing more....after the birth give her a day to get used to the babies and to rest..you wont see much of her for a few weeks as she will be feeding alot.

just look at the kits belly to see if they have a white line (milk band) that indicates that they are all feeding well.

the first night is critical and you will find that you may loose some babies. (you may not)

you can handle the babies from birth providing mum will let you.

this will get them well socialised and ready for new owners (if you are selling them or giving them away)

they will start weaning at 14 days. eyes open around 13-18days old.

you must seperate the sexes by 5 weeks as this is when they are able to impregnante/ become pregnant.

they can leave home at 6 weeks old.

good look and email me if you need to ask anything else

Answer 2

When she get more tired and she stays in one spot, laying down.

Answer 3

Say there's going to be an special event then she says what then you say the rat is having babies.

Answer 4

you wont she will most likely do it when you are not there, do not bother her, it could make the delivery very difficult for her, a few days before she will get very noticably prego!