Hairless?

Hi all I just saw the one post where someone said hairless are not worth breeding I just wanted to see if that is the general opinion or is others have a different opinion.
I actually have a chance to get some at very reasonable price so I was considering adding a few to my guys but it its not worth the effect I will forget it.
Thanks , look forward to your answers
rhsm

For breeding purposes I would definitely stay away from hairless.

At least my reasons why I tell others to avoid hairless rats is simply because they require more maintenance. The lack of fur requires a different diet, they burn more calories than a furred rat just staying a normal temp.

Also, the lack of fur makes them very susceptable to scratches, eye and ear infections.

Another down side to hairless is the females very often to don't lacatate, that is, produce milk. And if they do lactate, it can be very little.

Production and health care wise, it's not a good investment to bring the hairless gene into a colony.

Okay Thanks guys thats all I needed to know.
Appreciate the info and help as always!
Hope you all have a Wonderful Weekend.
rhsm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Also, the lack of fur makes them very susceptable to scratches, eye and ear infections.

---

I have a pair of hairless in one of my colonies and the male got an eye infection, but as it progressed instead of getting better like most do he simply pulled out his own eye. :O

That was the most disgusting self mutilating thing I have seen from any of my feeders. But now he is just fine with only the one eye. :rofl:

He likely didnt pull it out from his socket on purpose, I think he more than likely got it terribly damaged by a scratch, and since he already had an infection, (those can sometimes cause increased ocular pressure pushing the eye outwards), add the scratch to it, and he loses an eye.

Maybe next time something like that happens, seek medical help, as any infections in the eyes are extremely painful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

He likely didnt pull it out from his socket on purpose, I think he more than likely got it terribly damaged by a scratch, and since he already had an infection, (those can sometimes cause increased ocular pressure pushing the eye outwards), add the scratch to it, and he loses an eye.

Maybe next time something like that happens, seek medical help, as any infections in the eyes are extremely painful.

---

After the fact, it actually wasn't his eye.... I have no idea what it was, but it was a large bloody mass. His eyes have gone back to normal and they are both there.... :confused:

I also have this picture of his female counterpart:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/IMG_0778.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/IMG_0779.jpg