Chinchilla Community Forums
Breeders => Breeding 101 => Topic started by: Snickerdoodlesmom on January 27, 2013, 10:32:13 AM
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Also, how did the mutations come about without any inbreeding problems? Are certain mutations more prone to different genetic diseases than others?
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It was years of careful observation and selective breeding. Inbreeding brings out the best and worst in the animals. To have problems the parents first have to be carriers for the problem. For example, if you are breeding two related chinchillas that carry the malocclusion gene the babies will have a very good chance of developing malo. If neither parent carries the gene the babies will not carry the gene. It is all about knowing your animals and their history so that you have a good idea of what they may or may not have in their genetics.
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Is there a way to do genetic testing on the animals to see if they carry the genes?
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I don't know. That would be a question for a vet. But You would want the animals to be the best possibly chinchillas. Grand Show winning quality.
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Do you breed for temperament?
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That is not something I consider when breeding in my own herd because I have never come across a bad tempered chinchilla. Chinchillas who have not been handled and are afraid of humans are not bad chinchillas and it doesn't affect their kits. The only negative behavior I will remove from my herd is pee shooting on humans. This is taught to new babies and can ruin them. I breed 100% for health, fur, size, and color.