Would you breed her? (kinked lesser)

I just realized the next breeding season is nearly upon us, and my lesser girl is almost big enough! She weighs around 1140g now, but I've been feeding very lightly this year... I won't chance giving big rats due to the kink, so she's been averaging 2 adult mice every 7-10 days. If I upped that to 3+ mice (which she'd happily take), I bet her weight would be right on target by my usual "start date."

So here's the issue - she has a rather noticeable kink in her neck, and I have no idea of the cause. Her seller didn't disclose this to me before shipping (she looked fine in the pics), and all attempts to contact him have failed. She eats just fine, and doesn't appear to have any issues because of it. I know lessers aren't known for genetic kinks, like the caramel albino for example, and hope it was either incubation or injury-related. Would you take the chance, or should I just chalk her up as a very expensive & pretty pet??

Here are some photos:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/IMG_2462.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/IMG_2463.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/IMG_2471.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/IMG_2475.jpg

P.S. She's about three years old now, and I was planning to breed her with my Mojave - BELs, baby!! :)

owie! well IMO i dont think i would even tho she seems well. There is enough things that wobble, kink, are missing eyes and cant lay eggs. But thats only my opinion

Well, I'm on the fence with this one..
Since butters and lessers are not known to have kinking issues, I'd attribute this one to an incubation issue. Or a random fluke of genetics. Since technically color morphs are a genetic mutation anyway, these things can happen with any morph, at any time. Wether it's a morph prone to having kinks or other issues or not..

I think because the kink is not in a place where it would interfere with eggs or ovulation, that there shouldn't be a problem breeding her. I also doubt that it's a genetic issue that can be passed on.

If she's big enough, and healthy enough, I don't see a problem with it.

Thanks for the replies so far! Hmmmm... maybe I should've added a poll to this one. :oops:

If the kinks are passed on does it drastically vary where/how bad the kinks are? Like the amount of white on a pied?

Do you have the pics you saw in which she looked fine? I personally wouldn't breed unless I knew for a fact this was caused by an injury. Pretty girl though, I'm glad she's doing well for you and shame on the seller!

Hi,

Given its location I'd probably at least try and breed her once.

But if any of the offspring showed signs of problems I'd have to retire her.


dr del

It's pretty high up there, I don't think it'll effect the growth of the eggs but who knows...

Give it a shot this season and see how the babies are. I'm thinking this is due to incubation, not genetic... it isn't a caramel.

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Originally Posted by John1982

Do you have the pics you saw in which she looked fine? I personally wouldn't breed unless I knew for a fact this was caused by an injury. Pretty girl though, I'm glad she's doing well for you and shame on the seller!

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Here are the original pics I saw of her... notice how he didn't show that side of her neck? :cool:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...lesser16-1.jpg

You can almost see it here, but her tail is conveniently masking it.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...esser16-12.jpg

And yeah - the seller sucks big time! But this isn't the place for getting into that, and I did have a thread going when she first arrived. Thanks for the input everyone, and I am leaning towards giving her one shot (will wait for more replies, though).

I suggest bringing her in for X-rays to see if you can tell the reason for the kink. Without knowing that I think I would pass on breeding her. She is pretty though!

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Originally Posted by LotsaBalls

I suggest bringing her in for X-rays to see if you can tell the reason for the kink. Without knowing that I think I would pass on breeding her. She is pretty though!

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Yeah, I was thinking about getting X-Rays done... I can't really afford that right now, but hopefully my vet tech friend will hook me up at her hospital.

And I have to agree, she's a beautiful girl - whether or not she can breed, I'm happy to have her in my collection! She is a sweet (but shy) little girl, too. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Given its location I'd probably at least try and breed her once.

But if any of the offspring showed signs of problems I'd have to retire her.


dr del

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+1 and if you do sell any kinked baby's (in the rare chance u get some) be sure to stress no breeding to the buyer. Obvious i know but i felt it needed to be said

Thanks to all for the input so far! Now I have a somewhat related question... do you think she'll "make weight" this season, or should I wait until next year? I can start feeding an extra mouse from here on, which I'm sure she would NOT mind at all - she's kind of a pig, LOL.

I personally think her neck looks like an injury. Looks too much like how a person would 'grab' a snake hard by the neck to me. But that's just my first impression. I don't know her history. Either way, I'm happy she's with you now. She's lovely.

I agree with the above. I'd breed her. If it becomes apparent there's something wonky going on, then you'll know 100%.

oh and it will be worth it even if u get a BEL with a kink Personaly i would still be very excited as long as it can live a normal life and all, i would kill to have a BEL XD even with a kink .

BELs are awesome so best of luck to you if you do decide to breed her

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Originally Posted by jfaria1891

oh and it will be worth it even if u get a BEL with a kink Personaly i would still be very excited as long as it can live a normal life and all, i would kill to have a BEL XD even with a kink .

BELs are awesome so best of luck to you if you do decide to breed her

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Haha, good point! I breed mostly for my own personal enjoyment (as opposed to money), and to build up my collection without breaking the bank. So yes, I would be thrilled with a BEL even if it had a kink - provided the kink wasn't severe enough to affect its quality of life, which really isn't the case with Cordelia.

Even if she was born that way, doesn't mean it's genetic. If any of the offspring show it though, i would retire her, but i see no reason not to give her a chance.

Wow...that seller is terrible.

As for breeding her, I'm also on the fence, but I personally would give it a shot and see what the babies look like. It could have easily been incubation that caused it, and it's not going to effect her eggs or laying.

well if shes 1140 now and u giver her 2 small rats every 7 days that average 140 grams a meal you still have like almost 2 months before you start pairing so 140 times 7 ish feeds thats 980 grams even if u do 6 feeds say she skips a feed for a shed cycle thats 840 grams of food, of course she poops and pee's and doesnt retain it all, i think you could easily hit the 1300 mark to breed without a problem you will probably even hit the higher recommended 1500 mark, she looks good to go for this season to me just start feeding ever 7 rather then 7-14 assuming she will eat that often which i think she will they seems to know breeding seasons coming and start pounding them down.

Best of luck :) if my maths wrong or anything dont be afraid to call me out on it anyone !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Given its location I'd probably at least try and breed her once.

But if any of the offspring showed signs of problems I'd have to retire her.


dr del

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I would agree with this and I would be interested if it to know if any babies showed the same thing. in most cases i tend to question if it is the mutation which causes the kinks, dumb genetic luck, or some physical variable that cant really be tracked down. I say worth at least one try and keep everyone on here up to date.

I am curious to see if it carries through. and whether they show it or not i would straight up front with the sales of the offspring.

I would try it one time. Looks like an injury to me kind of like someone tried to close the tub on her while her head was still sticking out.

She is just too nice looking not to give it a shot.