Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have maybe 5 different strains of mice between 127 freedom breeder cages for mice. i have made a hybrid that works well but that only covers 5 cages. any ideas on how many strains i should have if i plan not to ever bring more blood into the colony enless warrented?

thanks in advance guys

LOL.. you have 5 diffrent lab strains in your colony.. i got that much..

if you cross the 2 strains you have a MUTT mouse and cant be sold as either strain (not pure blooded at least).. so if you crossed an IRC and a SWISS.. you would have a MOUSE.. LOL you couldnt label it as anything but a "swiss/IRC" crosses.. because the traits that make a SWISS good and the traits that make a IRC good aren't always the same..

you have a hybrid what?.. hybrid cross strain?.. (was confused about that part)

you should NEVER have to add new blood into your colony. I still have some descendants from the very first breeders i ever bought. (you only need 1 strain in a colony.. multiple is just extra) With lab mice, they are all basically genetically identical anyways.. so you shouldnt ever need to add in fresh blood.. at least not for several years! (at least 3-5 i would say)

best of luck

dan