Blue Dumbo

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Originally Posted by Flagg

Most of the blues I've produced have been kept for pets and possible breeders.
If I had fed them all off then I wouldn't have posted that their health seems fine.

The original blue gene may have come from one source, but with enough outcrossing to non-blue, seemingly more diverse stock, I don't think the problems are as severe as you claim.

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Fair enough...since there are no studies related to blue rat health related genetic issues I cannot argue with fact. What I have stated is my personal experience along with countless discussions with other rat breeders over the 15+ years of breeding them.

I am glad to hear that you have found success with your breeding stock and to add that I would very much like to get a pair from you at some point to further outcross my lines. :)

You very well could be right, as none of my blues have died of old age yet, the oldest are just over 18 months. They've grown as fast as all of the others and haven't shown any issues yet.

My only point is that even though the common blue strains may be excessively inbred and unhealthy, enough good outcrosses with non related blood should be able to improve the genetics. It's not like blue automatically means sickly.