What types of rats to breed

What types of rats should be purchased/heldback to produce the best breeders for our snakes? By best, I mean the healthiest, highest number of babies, longest life, good disposition, etc. I know there can be variences within any particular group (huskies, hooded, etc) but in general if you were starting all over in creating your rat breeding colonies, which would you choose and why?

Do you exclude any as potential breeders because of color or markings? If so, which ones and why?

Thanks

I breed Hoodies and standard Albinos. I tend to get between 10-15 in a littler with little problems. I have heard that some "high white" hoodies can have an incress in the risk of Megacolan. I don't exclue any breeders due to markings. If I have one the give me a small little two or three times or an unhealthy little a couple of times in a row I might retire her.

Best of luck and it can be adictive.

Ok, I'll bite
I would buy from someone with an established colony that knows the background of their pairings first off, takes away a lot of heart break and work.
Hoodeds don't have any health risks associated, the hooded allele will produce, notched caps, barebacks, short stripe, long stripe, berkshire and irish.
Selfs are always a safe bet.
Fawns are supposedly depressed and alcoholic. lol

Albinos are said to be fantastic moms, and throw large litters. I don't know if there is a distinction (regarding litter size and motherhood) between PEW and true albinos on the C locus. PEW (Pink eyed white) are really just soo many dilutions. With so many dilutions, there is still the risk of the white spotting gene (in theory) True albinos are better than PEW in my opinion.

Agoutis, blacks, buff/beige, siamese himalayan, and maybe a good healthy russian blue line are okay colors. Silvering is okay.

Euro Husky, (fades as they get older) is preferred over American Husky (does not fade).. Any essex, head spots, lightnings, blazes, reverse blazes, Banded, chinchilla, hairless, tailess are going to be at higher risks for health problems. Pearls, variegated, dalmations, merle, should be avoided.

If you need help identifying any coat color markings, check out Hawthorne's varieties page. Hope that helps!

I would fully research megacolon and its risks before getting anything.
I personally breed berks and himilayans. I have one hooded that came from a long line of hoodeds that I started with a few years back. I do not hold her offspring back though..

Oh yea, down under is homozygous lethal.

What's the homozygous form?? Even after years studying everything, rat genetics still confuzzle me.

I have no clue, I was just reading something yesterday I think at AFRMA and that stuck in my head. I heard that downunders were excellant until I read that. I didnt make a note of it or anything, so sad to say I couldnt tell ya where I actually read it.

[edit]
I found where I read it.

Quote:

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hdu: Downunder gene; Homozygous lethal, causes colored parts to be on the underside (sometimes called "double hooded")

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http://www.curiosityrats.com/geneticsmarkings.html

Odd.. I can't say I've seen any undead downunders walking around ;) All of the ones I've seen have been healthy, robust rats with good temperments. Maybe they have it confused with something else?

I've never even seen the down unders around here! She very well could be wrong, but this girl is usually very thorough with her citing and stuff. I haven't googled it or anything, so maybe its just a small case somewhere. No clue, interesting though. Maybe you should inquire with the rat peoples. ;)

Quote:

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But, it is not yet known whether the downunder gene is a lethal dominant, or whether the downunder gene can be expressed in the homozygous state in viable, fertile individuals ...

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http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=re...wBB5GbM_OKcoHw