Day 1: The Birth.
The birth of a litter can be a very exciting thing. I advise you to not disturb the nest and upset the mother as stress can cause her to have complications during delivery. You might notice your rat nesting several days before any babies appear, this behavior is completely natural as the mother is preparing a safe, warm place for her babies to be born and raised.
The day of the birth you might notice blood spots through out the cage, this is when you should start to pay close attention to your momma as she will be having her babies within a few hours. Then if you are able to get a peak at where she is having her babies, you will notice contractions. The sides of her belly will suck in and she will stretch her back legs out behind her in a straining motion. This is a contraction. In my experience it only takes 30 minutes or less for the first baby to be born once contractions have started. Next is the birth! It is generally quick unless complications arise. In the event that your rat has not passed any babies after several hours of contractions, it's time to rush her to the vet immediately for an emergency c-section that just might save her life, and her babies...
*Below is a video of our rat Minuette giving birth.*
If you are squeamish this might not be for you. You will notice a very small contraction, pushing, and then a wet squishy baby appears, the rest of the video you will notice her cleaning the baby off, eating the placenta and cutting the cord.
The baby above is only a few minutes old.
You can already tell that this baby has rex fur, black eyes, and is a girl.
Day 2: Just a blob
At this point you have a few squishy little pink blobs. Their toes are not fully formed, their ears and eyes are sealed shut and they can not go to the bathroom on their own. They are essentially helpless. At this point you can distinguish eye colors between light and black but it is harder to tell between red and ruby... You can tell what the fur type is also at this point, for rex fur the whiskers are kinked or curly and for standard fur the whiskers are straight. You should be checking to see if all of the babies have white bellies, this is a milk belly and means that they are eating well! In the photo below you can see a bit of a milk belly. An experienced breeder should be able to tell their genders at this point.
Day 3: Less blobby
Today your babies are a little less blobby, but blobby all the same. Their eyes are still sealed shut as well as their ears and the tiniest bit of almost un noticeable fur is starting to form but will still not be completely noticeable for several more days.
Day 4: Markings
While the ears are not fully open yet on the baby pictured below, some of the babies in the litter might have their ears beginning to open now. On darker colored rats you will start to notice markings now, although faint, they are there. This rattie has a cap with a head spot. For the rats who's ears have opened, an experienced breeder can tell between a dumbo and top eared rat. Right now is a great time to start handling your rats and talking to them softly. This will get them used to human handling and stimulation, just make sure that your hands are warm! If you have a very protective momma rat it's a good idea to give her a nest box that is easily removed from the cage, once she has left the nest you can scoop up the entire box to check on the little ones! I like to make sure momma has a really yummy treat while they are gone so it seems to her like a mini vacation from her babies.
Day 5: Ears!
Around now your babies are getting active even though they can't see where they are going! They are harder to photograph and are walking all over the nest. The fingers and toes are more defined and the ears are now open. At this point you can really tell what ear type your babies are! The little gal below is a dumbo. You can also see slight american blue capped markings on her face. These will be more obvious when the fur starts to come in. Baby is still completely dependant on its mother for everything, milk, warmth, and help emptying the bowels.
Day 6: More developed
The babies have begun to grow a more noticeable peach fuzz on their bodies. Colors are still hard to determine but in a few days it will be a sinch. The babies are much more developed now, with little finger nails, peach fuzz, and a more shapely head. Their eyes don't protrude as much but still have not opened. The babies are moving even more about the nest despite their inability to see. Right now they go by smell and touch so that they can nurse. If you place your hand over the babies they feel your warmth and will think it's momma and try to nurse on your hand!
Day 7: More Fuzz
Now your little ones have a little more fuzz on their bodies. They look more like rats now than they ever have before. It's easiest now to tell the gender of your rats and experienced breeders can even tell what some of the colors will be. This rat will be black.
