On this page, I will keep track of all the lines we are working with, dates of the lines, and all the information that we use to determine were we go with these lines. It will include, but not be limited to health, longevity, show results, type, and temperament of the individual members and overall line.
I am posting this information here for both my adopters and fellow breeders to use as you need it. I believe in full public disclosure of everything we do.
Please keep in mind that no breeding line is perfect and all lines have things that need to be worked on. Otherwise we would have a perfect rat & I know that I've never seen one. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or anything to add; please let me know. I'd love to have an open discussion with you.
Original stock obtained from Gabriel Edson of Bao Varakhii Rattery in Grand Rapids, MI. Stock born of Risk x Duo on November 2, 2008. We kept one Russian Blue Satin Self Male, one Russian Silver Standard Self Male, and two Russian Blue Standard Self Females for breeding. (Link to the Bao Varakhii information on this blood line)
Our original intention with this line was to breed Russian Blue Point Satin Siamese. Once the litter was born, it was realized that the line still carries some markings. Thus, it was decided to concentrate on breeding Russian Silver selfs from this line until it is strengthened. Then we will add the Siamese gene back in at a later date and revert the Siamese in the line back to Russian blue. We still intend to incorporate the Satin gene wherever possible.
Noted on 2/16/2009: We are very excited to continue breeding this line. The kids have such loving and adorable personalities. The girls are very rambunctious and enjoy sneaking up on us to give us kisses. All the kids will start popcorning as soon as you scritch their rear ends. Also, they tuck as soon as we pick them up. SLKY BVR Ollantaytambo is the smallest of the boys, but has decided that his is the Alpha. He doesn't pick on the other boys, but when they toussel, he always comes out on top. The others seem to respect this. We find it ironic since he is also the momma's boy.
Noted on 5/12/2009: Last month we were beginning to have some issues with SGR Hypotenus's temper. He seemed to be kind of edgy around me, but not Cameron. It seemed as though he felt he was dominant over me. I've since been careful to give a very alpha presence when I'm around him and it seems to have reversed those inclinations. We're definately watching him for agression issues toward both humans and rats. He seems to get along great with all the other boys except Heckle - though that fault seems to reside more with Heckle as he is a fight starter and part of the Gus Lineage. When breeding SGR Hypotenus, we'll be careful to breed with girls of good temperament and monitor the offspring for temperament issues.
Original stock obtained from Leslie Rule of Enchanting Rats in Columbia, MO. Stock born of Gus and Nina on October 10, 2007. We received two Himalayan males, one Himalayan female, and one black blazed Berkshire female.
Our intention at the time was to split this line into two. One being a marked line and one being a Siamese line.
We were never able to breed the Berkshire female because we could not locate appropriate male stock to breed her with.
On 6/16/2008 we had our first breeding from two of the Himalayans (Tiberius x Gnocchi). From that litter we kept a Himalayan dumbo male and a very deep colored Siamese standard female with the intention of breeding them together to produce Siamese babies with a few being dumbo eared.
Due to unforeseen problems, we received two accidental litters in this line (Tesla x Lotsa Hoopla & Tesla x Life Lttl Irony). The result of Tesla x Life Lttl Irony yielded a few offspring who we could use for the line; however, it is assumed that the dumbo gene is lost at this point.
On 9/16/2008 we had the unexpected death of Tiberius of SLKY. He died of heart failure during surgery in the removal of kidney and bladder stones. At this time we began to seriously start evaluating the origin stock of this line. They all seem healthy at first glance, but because of the health issues that Tiberius went through we are holding off breeding until we see some more age in the original stock. We may or may not continue to breed this line.
Noted 1/20/2009: Tesla of SLKY while growing up went through a bad molt stage where the color on his rump was spotty and uneven. It did even out after his first spring molt was finished and did not return with his fall fur. It has recently been observed that several of his offspring from Tesla x Life Lttl Irony have inherited this bad molting phase. If the line is continued, we will endeavor to breed against this.
Noted on 2/16/2009: SLKY Shenanigans has developed his mothers deep, rich points while SLKY Bold As Brass has an overall deep color with only slight shading. We're still hoping that her coloring will still come through in a later molt. We have also observed some new health concerns in this line that are being investigated for inheritability.
Noted on 2/24/2009: Tesla of SLKY had to be put to sleep due to an inoperable cyst pressing against his airways. This, along with other factors, has led us to the decision to stop breeding this line. The females of the line seem very healthy physically, but their temperament seems a bit unstable (excessive grooming & lack of appetite). The males of the line seem prone to weird physical ailments (renal issues & respiratory sensitivity), though their temperament is perfect. In light of all this, we feel its best to concentrate on our Russian lines at this time.
