Quote Originally Posted by Bill Buchman View Post
Small breeder for sure Randy -- and still a novice as well really.

Greg was not specific about number/% of kinking. He did incubate a lower temps -- 86 I think.

There are indeed many theories. I know I will continue to do what I have done thus far: outcross as much as possible, feed Mazuri to feeders, cook at 87 and WET, and be open to anything that will aide in making healthy Caramels.

There are a few small breeders friends, and a larger one, who believe the Mojave gene could be lending a hand in prohibiting kinking. Mojaves are widely agreed to be a robust gene that feeds well, grows fast, and breeds early. Could it also "water down" the inclination for the Caramel gene to kink?

I agree that sharing information and looking for trends is the best course at this point. I will hopefully be producing/releasing some Caramel Mojaves and combo Caramel Hets this year -- and look forward to the success of others with the gene -- a VISUALLY UNIQUE gene.
Well if Mazuri 6F is what will keep me from hatching kinked caramels, I have nothing to worry about when I end up getting some, haha! It may not be a specific ingredient, just the quality overall. I've noticed the last several times I've been to my local pet store, the rats there just don't look as healthy as mine. They tend to be skinnier and ones around the same age there are always smaller than similar-aged ones I have (their small rats are around the same size as my weaned rats). Now I have no idea what their rodent supplier feeds, but I'd venture a guess to say it's likely not 6F.

As far as the mojave gene having an affect on kinking, I don't really think enough caramel mojaves have been hatched by enough people to draw any decisive conclusions. If the mojave mutation translates to a mutation of tyrosinase (or any other protein that may be involved in the kinking) in and of its own though, it is plausible there could be some affect. If that is the case, you could expect something similar in other members of the BEL complex when crossed with caramels. I doubt just being good feeders, fast growers, and early breeders would do much. In fact, I could see the fast growth contributing more to deformities.