Well I finally decided it was time to start the 2015 breeding program here at ST's Hamstery. Every year I write my Goals to reach for the year. My first and fore most goal is to raise Healthy, Tame and long lived Syrian Hamsters which meet as close as possible the standards set forth by the NHC.
Last year was mostly successful with my secondary goals of improving on my Yellow lines both size, longevity, and the harder one to get the Cream gene out. Also to work on my Extreme Dilute Lines and attempt to combine both lines for a Extreme Dilute Black Tort Band. I'm happy to say all secondary goals were indeed met in 2014 except getting the cream gene out completely.
This years goals will be to continue to strive for bettering the last years goals and to Add very few new color genes to the Hamstery. I am working on adding in one color gene but at this time nothing is finalized so until I have that gene here I will wait to post about it.
The A15 litter was done to continue improving my Yellow lines, and was a mating of my new Yellow boy Feivel and his mate is Gloria which you all enjoyed watching grow up from the Shiloh X Iris litter.
I am aiming to gain new bloodlines with Feivel who is a total outcross line to my Yellow lines. The goal is to keep the super smoosh temperament already established in my yellow lines, plus continue to have the good size and type found in both hamsters. Work hard to continue to get the cream out and still meet the NHC standards on both body type and color. Feivels pedigree showed he Could carry for Cinnamon, Black, and yes possibly Cream. Gloria was chosen as she is Dove, and also carries Cream. The Band pattern was just a bonus.
Here's Feivel: Here's Gloria:
Feivel 2-10-15-a.JPG Gloria 12-2-14-a.JPG
The litter arrived easily and quickly on February 22, at 9:00 AM. Gloria is proving to be and excellent and VERY protective Mother. I had to cover her bin even though I have no children and only go near her bin to refill food and water or offer a extra treat to help her with raising her litter.
The first time I went to offer her some baby food she was in her nest and in seconds she bolted out and attacked the lid which had the baby food in it. Screaming at that intruder lid she proceeded to fling it clear across the bin. I had to wait some time to attempt to remove the lid and try to clean up the spilled wet food about the bin.
Gloria has now calmed down and has even climbed the bin mesh for a cuddle while I was refilling her bottle last night. She has 8 beautiful pups and has shown that Feivel carries Cinnamon which was a possibility with his background. By the one Golden Tort band pup in the litter it shows Feivel doesn't carry for Cream YESSS. By her Black Band pup I also confirmed Feivel also got the black gene which was carried in his parents lines. So I was blessed very much by God in that Feivel had all the prayed for genes without the unwanted Cream gene.
Pups are only 9 days old so no pictures until eyes open. Stay tuned to this thread.
ST's A15 Litter
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