Queen

A queen is a she-cat that is expecting or has recently given birth to a litter of kits. Though known to be overly-protective of kits, queens usually are compassionate and kind, and in many cases they have been known to convince their mates or Clan leaders to take in cats in need of help.

Description
When a warrior she-cat is expecting kits or has recently given birth to a litter of kits, they become known as a queen and move to the nursery. When she-cats become queens, they give up their title and duties as a warrior. However, they become a warrior again once their kits have been apprenticed. Some she-cats, though, prefer to stay in the nursery even after their kits have become apprentices, such as Silverwing and Lilynose. Queens have a vital role in continuing the Clans' survival as they give birth to the next generation of warriors. Some she-cats can't have kits, however much they want them. If a queen does not wish to tell who the father of the kits is to the Clan, that is her choice. Queens usually adore their kits and want to make sure that they can be the best that they can be.

Nursing
Queens move to the nursery about a moon before giving birth, surrendering their warrior duties. They have their food delivered to them by their Clanmates as they become less mobile. A she-cat's pregnancy is just over two moons, after which she gives birth to the possible litter of one to five kits. The kits usually open their eyes soon, some almost from the moment born, and others in a day or two. Queens that have not yet kitted have no milk-scent; in contrast, those who have kitted have the milk-scent on them.

While kits are weaned at two moons, the queens remain in the nursery until they are named apprentices (typically around five moons) to ensure proper care and education. Sometimes - although it is very rare - a queen leaves the nursery before her kit(s) become apprentices. Also, sometimes they leave before all of their kits become apprentices.

When a queen is unable to produce enough milk to feed her kits, another queen who has plenty of milk to spare will help her nurse until the kits are ready for fresh-kill, such as Peachfur did when Leafheart couldn't produce milk for Berrykit.

 A she-cat may request to stay in the nursery after her kit(s) are apprenticed, instead of resuming warrior duties. Silverwing  often helped out when needed in the nursery.

Borage leaves are sometimes given to queens that cannot produce milk for their kits, and parsley for those who still have milk even though they don't have kits.

Restrictions
A  medicine cat, either male or female, is not allowed to take a mate and have kits, in order to not be distracted from their mission and work.

An apprentice never has kits, most likely to avoid interrupting their training, and a result of being too young.

A female leader or  deputy  generally does not have kits either (although it is not explicitly forbidden, as Bayclaw had kits,)  because looking after them would keep her away from her leader or deputy duties for six moons or more. Male leaders, on the other hand, frequently father a she-cat's kits, such as Sharp Wasp fathered Swift Cedar.