'>Chester'........had a deformed leg...it stuck out perpendicular from his
body, >and the paw itself looked as though one of the >toes (I always call
it a thumb, >but whatever) was kind of curled in.
He probably had additional deformities internally as well.
> What I'm afraid of is that maybe there are too many genetic problems with
this >pair to breed them. Hamlet and Ophelia are >littermates....but I don't
know how >many generations they've been inbred.
Go with your gut. If this has raised concerns then you are most likely
correct. It is always a better practice to have a diverse genetic pool when
breeding any animal. These two are too closely related to provide the needed
diversity.
>Ophelia's already gaining weight again, so if she has more deformities or
>problems with this litter, I think I definitely will >separate.
Why wait? Remove Hamlet now so they don't breed after delivery. Ophelia will
do just fine with the litter on her own! The need for a help mate is more of
a human concern than a gerbil need. This way you don't end up with a fourth
litter with health problems.
>I'm thinking about trying to get a nice color to complement Ophelia.
The GGP says that the following genotypes will provide the colors listed:
Red Eyed Schimmel AaCCefefGgpp:
SpYellow Fox, Yellow Fox, Sp Red Fox, Red Fox, Sp Red Eyed Blue Fox, RE Blue
Fox
Dove aaCchEeGgpp:
Sp Lilac, Sp Red Fox, Lilac, Red Fox, Sp Dove, Sp pale Red Fox, Dove, Pale
Red Fox
REW aaCCEe(or ef)ggpp:
Sp Lilac, Sp Red Fox, Lilac, Red Fox, Sp REW, Sp RE Blue Fox, REW, RE Blue
Fox
Ivory Cream AaCchEeggpp:
Sp Argente Golden, Sp Yellow Fox, Argente Golden, Yellow Fox, Sp Argente
Cream
Argente Cream, Sp Lilac, Lp Red Fox, Lilac, Red Fox, Sp Dove, Sp Pale
Argente Nutmeg, Dove, Pale Argente Nutmeg
Argente Cream AaCchEeGgpp:
Sp Argente Golden, Sp Yellow Fox, Argente Golden, Yellow Fox, Sp Argente
Cream, Argnete Cream, Sp Lilac, Sp Red Fox, Lilac, Dove, Red Fox, Sp Dove,
Sp Pale Red Fox, Pale Red Fox
>When would be best to introduce another male to Ophelia?
After this last litter is weaned, provided you have separated Hamlet before
delivery ;)
Cinthia A. Dunn-Izquierdo
The Izzy Clan
