Post by greydawnbreaking on Aug 11, 2013 19:04:54 GMT 10
So I've decided I'm going to breed my first litter, and I've read as much as I can get my hands on. I just wanted to ask if anyone had any suggestions or hints? The mice are: Zen Poseidon, standard bone fox, and GG Cherry Atomic, longcoat mock chocolate fox. The goal for the breeding is to improve Cherry's eyes and temperament--she's gentle but skittish--and to see if a longhair gene will improve a standard coat in any way. Poseidon was previously a victim of bullying and had some injuries but they seem completely healed now.
By the way, just to test myself on my expectations of the genetics: Cherry should be a(t) c(ch)c or c(e)c (probably this one), and Poseidon should be a(t) c(e)c or c(rs)c (probably this one). I'm expecting to get two kinds of mock chocolates, bones, and albinos. Unless Poseidon's carrying longcoat they should all be standard. Either or both may be carrying manx genes, but I'm not expecting any in the litter. I'd estimate 50% of the litter should carry a(t), at a minimum, although of course the albinos won't show it.
I'm going to put Cherry into Poseidon's cage after doing a light clean on his tub, and leave them together for about 3 days to start, since that's supposed to be the period between heats for females housed near males. Niobe, Cherry's cagemate, will be flying solo during this time, I'm hoping there won't be a problem but if I see her getting stressed and lonely I may do 12 hour "shifts" and move Cherry back and forth. The mice have been getting introduced through wire and with shared furnishings so I hope there won't be a problem with aggression, but if there is I plan to stay around for the first few hours they're together.
Can anyone suggest anything to make this a successful mating?
By the way, just to test myself on my expectations of the genetics: Cherry should be a(t) c(ch)c or c(e)c (probably this one), and Poseidon should be a(t) c(e)c or c(rs)c (probably this one). I'm expecting to get two kinds of mock chocolates, bones, and albinos. Unless Poseidon's carrying longcoat they should all be standard. Either or both may be carrying manx genes, but I'm not expecting any in the litter. I'd estimate 50% of the litter should carry a(t), at a minimum, although of course the albinos won't show it.
I'm going to put Cherry into Poseidon's cage after doing a light clean on his tub, and leave them together for about 3 days to start, since that's supposed to be the period between heats for females housed near males. Niobe, Cherry's cagemate, will be flying solo during this time, I'm hoping there won't be a problem but if I see her getting stressed and lonely I may do 12 hour "shifts" and move Cherry back and forth. The mice have been getting introduced through wire and with shared furnishings so I hope there won't be a problem with aggression, but if there is I plan to stay around for the first few hours they're together.
Can anyone suggest anything to make this a successful mating?