- Mice: Female mice typically become sexually mature around 6-8 weeks of age, while males may reach maturity slightly later, around 8-10 weeks. They can start mating as soon as they reach this stage of maturity.
- Rats: Female rats usually become sexually mature around 5-6 weeks of age, while males reach maturity around 6-8 weeks. Like mice, they are capable of mating once they reach this level of maturity.
- Physical Development: By 2-3 months, the animals are fully developed physically, which can lead to healthier pregnancies and litters.
- Behavioral Maturity: Older animals are typically more stable and less likely to exhibit stress-related behaviors that can affect breeding and offspring.
- Health Considerations: Younger animals might still be undergoing growth and development, which can sometimes lead to complications in pregnancy and birth. Waiting until they are a bit older helps ensure that they are in better overall health.
- Reduced Risk: Breeding at a slightly older age can reduce the risk of health issues for both the breeding pair and the offspring.
It’s worth noting that for optimal health , breeding often happens when the animals are a bit older than the minimum maturity age, typically around 2-3 months old.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-mature-do-mice-rats-need-mate-randy-bilesky-bqg6c
Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF
President at Go Green
August 26, 2024