Colors in Our Caviary - Stage 2 (focus on slate tans)
In 2020 ACBA officially changed the name of the color from 'blue tan' to 'slate tan'. This brings the U.S. color names into conformity with the rest of the world. So the color appearing as 'blue tan' in the figure above is the same color called 'slate tan' below!
We needed to (temporarily as it turns out) downsize and focus our program so we chose our 4 best-marked animals to start the next phase with a focus on slate tans. This phase is marked by hard selection for type (animals well over 2 pounds, broad noses, wide hips) and markings (eye circles that can be seen clearly 'across the room', wide belly bands, non-fading undercolor, 'fire' belly color on the tans, and clear pea spots).
We needed to (temporarily as it turns out) downsize and focus our program so we chose our 4 best-marked animals to start the next phase with a focus on slate tans. This phase is marked by hard selection for type (animals well over 2 pounds, broad noses, wide hips) and markings (eye circles that can be seen clearly 'across the room', wide belly bands, non-fading undercolor, 'fire' belly color on the tans, and clear pea spots).
A Note on Linebreeding -- we practiced fairly intense linebreeding during this phase, but kept inbreeding coefficients (calculated over the preceding generations including all of phase 1) to <0.2 (for comparison, 0.125 = half siblings, 0.25 = full siblings on a single-cross). Linebreeding is a critical tool for aligning recessive genes from a common source - these recessives may be desirable or undesirable. When working on rare varieties which rely on homozygous rare recessive genes (e.g., slate and marten - as well as the modifiers for perfecting markings and type), outcrossing to unrelated animals is often not possible (no unrelated animals of the rare variety are available). Linebreeding should always be accompanied by careful selection to avoid accidentally fixing undesirable recessive genes (such as those affecting health, creating poor type or poor markings) -- we typically keep less than half of the animals from each generation to breed the next. Inbreeding depression -- often noted as the first hallmark of crossing the line from linebreeding to inbreeding and typically manifested as shrinking litter sizes -- was not observed during this phase. This phase did include 2 outcrosses (presumed unrelated as both were brought in from out-of-state), both serving the dual purpose of bringing marten (cr) into the line as well as lowering the inbreeding coefficients for subsequent crosses.
see Colors in our Caviary - Part 1 for details of the animals included in the first line of this chart
Twilight (Lavastone x Caringheart)
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Slate tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-pg-E- Carries either pg or p Nice markings, but not the intense color of his sister. Sold to another slate tan breeder. |
New Moon (Lavastone x Caringheart)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p.
Sold to another breeder.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p.
Sold to another breeder.
Starshine (Lavastone x Caringheart)
Slate tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-C-pg(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (12% chance for p, but the darkness of markings and eyes suggests pgpg).
22% chance of carrying self, 54% chance of carrying cr (dam is a carrier, sire may be as well), 20% chance of carrying e, and 19% chance of carrying satin.
Starshine is a much darker shade of slate and with great fire to her markings. She earned 3 show legs, but unfortunately developed pea-eye before we could get her registered.
Starshine had 3 pups - 1 slate tan and 2 black tan - no surprises to confirm any carried genes. Her slate tan pup (Niagara) has the same coloring as her mother. So happy we repeated the breeding - and got additional 3 slate tans (Spring, Summer and Blossom) - all with the nice dark coloring.
Color genotype at-B-C-pg(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (12% chance for p, but the darkness of markings and eyes suggests pgpg).
22% chance of carrying self, 54% chance of carrying cr (dam is a carrier, sire may be as well), 20% chance of carrying e, and 19% chance of carrying satin.
Starshine is a much darker shade of slate and with great fire to her markings. She earned 3 show legs, but unfortunately developed pea-eye before we could get her registered.
Starshine had 3 pups - 1 slate tan and 2 black tan - no surprises to confirm any carried genes. Her slate tan pup (Niagara) has the same coloring as her mother. So happy we repeated the breeding - and got additional 3 slate tans (Spring, Summer and Blossom) - all with the nice dark coloring.
Nightfall (Cadet x Jewel)
Black tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Serendipity (below) she produced 5 black tan pups. This places the odds for her carrying martin (cr) at <3%.
She became quite aggressive to the boar before we separated them, so we opted not to try breeding her again to a different boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Serendipity (below) she produced 5 black tan pups. This places the odds for her carrying martin (cr) at <3%.
She became quite aggressive to the boar before we separated them, so we opted not to try breeding her again to a different boar.
Luminous (Cadet x Jewel)
Black tan sow.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Sold to another breeder.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Sold to another breeder.
Passion (Cadet x Jewel)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Starshine, she had 1 blue tan pup and 2 black tan pups. He thus must carry either pg or p.
A big boy weighing 3.5 pounds. Nice show type when young, he earned a leg.
So happy we repeated this breeding - and got 3 slate tans (Spring, Summer and Blossom).
Color genotype at-B-C-P(pg/p)E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Starshine, she had 1 blue tan pup and 2 black tan pups. He thus must carry either pg or p.
A big boy weighing 3.5 pounds. Nice show type when young, he earned a leg.
So happy we repeated this breeding - and got 3 slate tans (Spring, Summer and Blossom).
Nightingale (Cadet x Jewel)
Black tan boar.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Starshine, she had 1 slate tan pup and 2 black tan pups. He thus must carry either pg or p.
Nightingale was a 'singer' - one of those rare cavies that makes a lot of chirping sounds. Sold to a tan breeder.
Color genotype at-B-C-P-E-
Carries either pg or p (pg more likely, p = 8%)
33% chance of carrying self, 64% chance of carrying cr (sire is a carrier, high odds dam is as well), 56% chance of carrying e (dam is a carrier, high odds sire is as well), 20% chance of carrying satin (behind both parents).
Bred to Starshine, she had 1 slate tan pup and 2 black tan pups. He thus must carry either pg or p.
Nightingale was a 'singer' - one of those rare cavies that makes a lot of chirping sounds. Sold to a tan breeder.
Serendipity
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Serendipity (1st picture in the right foreground with Cupcake behind) was purchased as a blue (slate) marten ... but he isn't. He kept getting darker and darker until his surface color was almost the same as Cupcake, much darker than a slate (2nd picture he's the darker one with slate to the left) . I'm tentatively calling him a sable marten - he's overmarked, with a faded undercolor and pink spots on his front paw-pads (possibly flesh spots, maybe just the white markings coming down farther than they should). But with the most beautiful pure-white belly we've seen.
Serendipity was bred to Nightfall (known to carry either pg or p) - and she had 5 healthy black tan pups. The odds of that happening if he was pg- is 0.5^5 which is about 3%. So I'm taking that as confirmation that he is something other than slate. I was looking forward to test-breeding Serendipity to better determine his genetics, but unfortunately he died before we had the chance (both Nightfall and his new cagemate after breeding got in fights with him - not sure which bit him, but the wound got infected). So we will have to work with his offspring in the next generation to figure out this puzzle. Best guess color genotype at-B-crchP-E- |
Ninja (Passion x Starshine)
Black tan boar. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either pg or p (p=4%).
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Bred to Ember produced 2 black tan pups. Sold to another breeder.
carries either pg or p (p=4%).
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Bred to Ember produced 2 black tan pups. Sold to another breeder.
Niagara (Passion x Starshine)
Slate tan sow. at-B-C-pg-E-
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
bred to Scamper. Produced the two largest pups I've ever gotten (132 & 146g birthweights) - Niklaus and Tinsel. We were quite worried about our little mama (she's one of our smaller sows, weighing just 2 pounds), but she rallied and became quite the protective mama after a bit of a bumpy start (failed to clean the largest pup except thankfully for his nose).
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
bred to Scamper. Produced the two largest pups I've ever gotten (132 & 146g birthweights) - Niklaus and Tinsel. We were quite worried about our little mama (she's one of our smaller sows, weighing just 2 pounds), but she rallied and became quite the protective mama after a bit of a bumpy start (failed to clean the largest pup except thankfully for his nose).
Sequence (Passion x Starshine)
Black tan sow.
carries either pg or p.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
sold
carries either pg or p.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
sold
Scamper (Serendipity x Nightfall)
Black tan boar. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Bred to Niagara and produced slate tan (Tinsel) and black tan (Niklaus).
Sold to an AK breeder (they picked up in person on a trip)
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Bred to Niagara and produced slate tan (Tinsel) and black tan (Niklaus).
Sold to an AK breeder (they picked up in person on a trip)
Hope (Serendipity x Nightfall)
Black tan sow. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
bred to Ninja. a litter of 5 normal-sized black tan pups (Comet, Vixen, Prancer, Rudolph and Blitzen). Blitzen had a minor coat fault, others developed pea eye. All sold eventually without breeding.
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
bred to Ninja. a litter of 5 normal-sized black tan pups (Comet, Vixen, Prancer, Rudolph and Blitzen). Blitzen had a minor coat fault, others developed pea eye. All sold eventually without breeding.
Charity (Serendipity x Nightfall)
Black tan sow. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
sold
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
sold
Ember (Serendipity x Nightfall)
Black tan sow. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Beautiful sow, slightly overmarked. 1 show leg (at nationals)
Bred to Ninja - 2 black tan pups. Couldn't find my scale, but they were pretty big boys at birth (not as big as Niagara's) and grew fast - weighed 13 ounces by 3 weeks!
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Beautiful sow, slightly overmarked. 1 show leg (at nationals)
Bred to Ninja - 2 black tan pups. Couldn't find my scale, but they were pretty big boys at birth (not as big as Niagara's) and grew fast - weighed 13 ounces by 3 weeks!
Shimmer (Serendipity x Nightfall)
Black tan sow. at-B-C-P-E-
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Ignore the label on the photo - Josh says he didn't change the name, I heard him wrong. Her name is Shimmer (pedigree also corrected). sold
carries either cr or ch (sire believed to be sable).
carries pg or p (pg more likely, produced nice dark slate tan when bred to slate tan).
~16% chance carries a, ~28% chance carries e, ~10% chance carries satin.
Ignore the label on the photo - Josh says he didn't change the name, I heard him wrong. Her name is Shimmer (pedigree also corrected). sold
Blossom (Passion x Starshine)
Slate tan sow. at-B-C-pg-E-
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Sold after breeding to another breeder.
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Sold after breeding to another breeder.
Spring (Passion x Starshine)
Slate tan sow. at-B-C-pg-E-
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Sold to another breeder.
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC.
21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin.
Sold to another breeder.
Summer (Passion x Starshine)
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Slate tan boar. at-B-C-pg-E-
really dark color so I suspect pgpg and/or CC. 21% chance carries a. 30% chance carries cr. 25% chance carries e. 20% chance carries satin. Tried with 4 different sows (some twice) including 2 that were proven by other boars. Cannot get him to breed! Sold to another breeder in hopes he would do better in a new situation with a total outcross. |
Niklaus (Scamper x Niagara)
Black tan boar. at-B-C-P(pg/p)E-
carries pg or p (pg far more likely as dam is dark slate). May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 15% chance of carrying self, 28% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin.
was held for breeding but developed pea eye so not used (stayed as a non-breeding pet)
carries pg or p (pg far more likely as dam is dark slate). May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 15% chance of carrying self, 28% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin.
was held for breeding but developed pea eye so not used (stayed as a non-breeding pet)
Tinsel (Scamper x Niagara)
Slate tan sow. at-B-C-pg-E-
likely pgpg (odds of carrying lilac by descent has fallen to <2%). May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability she still carries is 36%) but not both. 15% chance of carrying self, 28% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin.
Bred to Maximus, produced one black and and one slate tan.
likely pgpg (odds of carrying lilac by descent has fallen to <2%). May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability she still carries is 36%) but not both. 15% chance of carrying self, 28% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin.
Bred to Maximus, produced one black and and one slate tan.
Santa Paws (Ninja x Ember)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-P-E-
Left, pictured with sibling, Noel.
17% chance of carrying self. May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 61% chance for carrying pg. 24% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin [Revised: sibling proved to carry satin, which means at least one of the parents WAS a satin carrier so odds he does as well are 25%]
Left, pictured with sibling, Noel.
17% chance of carrying self. May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 61% chance for carrying pg. 24% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin [Revised: sibling proved to carry satin, which means at least one of the parents WAS a satin carrier so odds he does as well are 25%]
Noel (Ninja x Ember)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-P-E-
17% chance of carrying self. May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 61% chance for carrying pg. 24% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin [revised: proven satin carrier].
Bred to Blossom (slate tan) and produced all black tan.
Sold to another breeder. They report he threw a satin pup.
17% chance of carrying self. May carry ch (25% chance from sable tan grandsire) or cr (both parents have a chance of carrying, probability he still carries is 36%) but not both. 61% chance for carrying pg. 24% chance of carrying e, 15% chance of carrying satin [revised: proven satin carrier].
Bred to Blossom (slate tan) and produced all black tan.
Sold to another breeder. They report he threw a satin pup.
Maximus (Noel x Blossom)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-PpgE-
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Tinsel - produced black tan and slate tan.
Earned a show leg at Specialty OH 2021.
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Tinsel - produced black tan and slate tan.
Earned a show leg at Specialty OH 2021.
Lea (Noel x Blossom)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-PpgEe overmarked and very bright red markings
Carries pg from slate tan dam. Carries satin
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to a slate tan (Charm) threw a red satin pup (Rocket), a black tan satin sow (Aurora) as well as 2 slate tans (Astro and Spiro).
Carries pg from slate tan dam. Carries satin
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to a slate tan (Charm) threw a red satin pup (Rocket), a black tan satin sow (Aurora) as well as 2 slate tans (Astro and Spiro).
Pascal (Noel x Blossom)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-PpgE-
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Flurry, produced 4 black tan pups.
Sold to a youth breeder starting in tans.
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Flurry, produced 4 black tan pups.
Sold to a youth breeder starting in tans.
Fitz (Noel x Blossom)
Black tan boar - at-B-C-PpgE-
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Carries pg from slate tan dam. 50% chance of carrying satin (sire proven carrier)
Full sibling proven to carry e, which means at least one of the parents is a carrier, so odds he is also a carrier are 25%.
16% chance of carrying a. 22% chance of carrying cr and 12% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Charm (Maximus x Tinsel)
Slate tan sow at-B-C-pgpgEe
Carries satin.
Chance for carrying self is 15%, 25% chance of carrying cr and 16% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Lea, she threw Satin black tan (Aurora), 2 slate tan (Astro and Spiro) and 1 red satin (Rocket).
Carries satin.
Chance for carrying self is 15%, 25% chance of carrying cr and 16% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Lea, she threw Satin black tan (Aurora), 2 slate tan (Astro and Spiro) and 1 red satin (Rocket).
Spirit (Maximus x Tinsel)
Black tan sow at-B-C-PpgE-
Carries pg from slate tan dam.
Sibling threw red which means at least one parent is a carrier, so 25% chance of carrying e.
Chance for carrying self is 15%, 25% chance of carrying cr and 16% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both). 29% chance of carrying satin.
Failed to take with multiple boars. Kept as a non-breeding pet.
Carries pg from slate tan dam.
Sibling threw red which means at least one parent is a carrier, so 25% chance of carrying e.
Chance for carrying self is 15%, 25% chance of carrying cr and 16% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both). 29% chance of carrying satin.
Failed to take with multiple boars. Kept as a non-breeding pet.
Selection for the redder markings (or our initial choices to begin this phase) seems to have eliminated marten from the line. We kind of missed getting the occasional marten in the litters, and Josh was impressed by a photo of a BCC slate fox (aka marten) so when the opportunity presented itself, we picked up a pretty little marten sow - Flurry. Lucked out and she had absolutely perfect markings, right down to the split middle toe color.
Flurry
Black marten sow (at-B-crcrP-E-)
Non-pedigreed outcross - near perfect markings.
Turned out to already be pregnant - Solstice and Serafina are from that first litter.
Bred to Pascal - produced 4 black tan babies - Fernando, Alphonso, Ezmerelda and Lucinda
Non-pedigreed outcross - near perfect markings.
Turned out to already be pregnant - Solstice and Serafina are from that first litter.
Bred to Pascal - produced 4 black tan babies - Fernando, Alphonso, Ezmerelda and Lucinda
Solstice
Black marten sow (at-B-crcrP-E-) from Flurry's first litter with unknown sire.
Pictured with mom and sister -- forgot to get an adult photo before it was too late!
Solstice was bred to Spyro - first litter produced 2 pale slate martens (Alpine and Glacie), and a black marten (Shadow). She was accidentally bred back to Spyro for a second litter -- 2 black martens (Blaster and Loki), a slate tan (Ocean) and a black tan (Eureka).
All tan offspring, I assume atat. She must carry either pg or p to get the slates -- given the relative rarity slate, I suspect she carries p.
atatBBcrcrPpE- is most likely.
Pictured with mom and sister -- forgot to get an adult photo before it was too late!
Solstice was bred to Spyro - first litter produced 2 pale slate martens (Alpine and Glacie), and a black marten (Shadow). She was accidentally bred back to Spyro for a second litter -- 2 black martens (Blaster and Loki), a slate tan (Ocean) and a black tan (Eureka).
All tan offspring, I assume atat. She must carry either pg or p to get the slates -- given the relative rarity slate, I suspect she carries p.
atatBBcrcrPpE- is most likely.
Serafina
Black marten sow (at-B-crcrP-E-) from Flurry's first litter with unknown sire.
(looking a little ragged here while nursing a litter - forgot to get a picture before breeding)
Serafina was bred to Astro - she had 3 black tans - Stormy, Roman and Paradys.
(looking a little ragged here while nursing a litter - forgot to get a picture before breeding)
Serafina was bred to Astro - she had 3 black tans - Stormy, Roman and Paradys.
Normally throughout the above we were eliminating the worst overmarked/undermarked animals and then breeding overmarked to undermarked within the 'better' marked group. Josh mentioned missing getting reds, and I wanted to test a theory that overmarked animals were Ee. So we matched Lea and Charm (both slightly 'overmarked' and with nice intense 'fire' red markings - (results below) not only did we get red, but satin popped out again. I'm now questioning whether those two genes may be travelling together 'recessively' in the overmarked animals of the line.
Rocket (Lea x Charm)
Red Satin boar at-B-C--pgee
Could be either Ppg or pgpg. Very dark red, so I suspect Ppg.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Lives up to his name!
Could be either Ppg or pgpg. Very dark red, so I suspect Ppg.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Lives up to his name!
Aurora (Lea x Charm)
Black tan Satin sow at-B-C-PpgE-
Aurora on left (failed to get an adult photo)
Carries pg from slate dam.
Red sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Tried breeding - lost to pregnancy toxemia.
Aurora on left (failed to get an adult photo)
Carries pg from slate dam.
Red sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Tried breeding - lost to pregnancy toxemia.
Astro (Lea x Charm)
Slate tan boar at-B-C-pgpgE-
Red satin sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e and a 66% chance of carrying satin.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Serafina, produced all black tans.
Red satin sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e and a 66% chance of carrying satin.
15% chance of carrying self. 16% chance of carrying cr and 13% chance of carrying ch (but can't carry both).
Bred to Serafina, produced all black tans.
Spyro (Lea x Charm)
Slate tan boar at-B-Ccrpg(pg)E-
Red satin sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e and a 66% chance for carrying satin.
15% chance of carrying self.
Bred to Solstice produced 3 black martens, 2 pale slate martens, a slate tan and a black tan.
Red satin sibling, so a 66% chance of carrying e and a 66% chance for carrying satin.
15% chance of carrying self.
Bred to Solstice produced 3 black martens, 2 pale slate martens, a slate tan and a black tan.
Alphonso (Pascal x Flurry)
Black tan boar at-B-CcrP-E-
Carries marten from dam.
sold to another breeder (forgot to get an individual picture before sale - he was the darkest of the litter)
Carries marten from dam.
sold to another breeder (forgot to get an individual picture before sale - he was the darkest of the litter)
Fernando (Pascal x Flurry)
Black tan boar at-B-CcrP-E-
Carries marten from dam.
Carries marten from dam.
Esmerelda (Pascal x Flurry)
Black tan sow at-B-CcrP(pg)E-
Carries marten from dam.
Bred to Titan, threw 3 slate tans. Likely carries pg from Pascal.
Carries marten from dam.
Bred to Titan, threw 3 slate tans. Likely carries pg from Pascal.
Lucinda (Pascal x Flurry)
Black tan sow at-B-CcrPpgE-
Had white spots on her belly as a newborn, mostly outgrew that by 6 months (still faulted for 'uneven color')
Bred to Titan, produced a slate marten (Dazzle), a slate tan (Frazzle) and a black tan (Mysticka)
Had white spots on her belly as a newborn, mostly outgrew that by 6 months (still faulted for 'uneven color')
Bred to Titan, produced a slate marten (Dazzle), a slate tan (Frazzle) and a black tan (Mysticka)
Some lessons learned from this phase:
- larger animals (nearing or exceeding 3 pounds) appear to be prone to developing pea eye when stressed (e.g., pregnancy, males kept near breeding animals or 'squabbling' with cagemates) - once the condition develops, it does not completely disappear (though it may shrink somewhat).
- best marked offspring come from breeding overmarked to undermarked (moreso even than breeding 2 perfectly marked animals to each other!)
- overmarked animals may be carrying 'e' (red) and/or 'sn' (satin)
- Satin carriers (back tracing through the line) were no more prone to health issues or differences in weight than 'control' (rest of the line which may or may not be carriers, but never threw satin).
- Young sable marten are VERY similar in color to slate.
