>From:    Debra Thomason <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Breeding a Deaf Ferret
>Deafness is an undesirable trait, no matter that it can be "lived with".
 
I think that is unfair to produce something that has that handicap -
unfair to the animal.  How many shelters are handed over missunderstood
deaf ferrets because they are biting?  How many others never make it to
the shelter and die in a result of abuse or neglect?  howmany are turned
into a kill shelter and put them down for biting?  How many are put down
by vets because they are "uncurable"?
 
>From:    William Killian <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: zen sez...
>You can not separate the deafness from the pattern.  They are caused by
>the same thing.
 
This is true.  But thre are hearing blazes you say?  Of course!  Because
WS can express itself in such a way that the results could be a fully deaf
animal, a partially deaf animal, or a fully hearing animal.  So can't you
breed out the WS?  Not really becuase it is DOMINANT which means it will
override "healthy" genes if able.
 
>Learn about genetics, that is what it takes to understand exactly what a
>panda ferret is.
 
For those of you that are interested, you can learn about genetics in
ferrets by sending a blank e-mail to [log in to unmask]
and subscribing to the mailing list.  We have lots of really great
information about genetics in all different animals.  We are trying to
piece thenm together for the ferret.  We have TONS of articles in the
files.  I have contacted a Professor that is/was interested in coat colour
genetics in mink, ferrets, stoats, etc.  (have yet to hear back from him).
 
On the Ferret-Genetics list, we have a project going on at the moment -
thanks to Jen Ellis - we are asking all breeders to put forward the
information on coat colour (possibly with photos as one persons
perspective on colour could be different), eye colour, and pedigree (with
some or all of the above info).  We are trying to see what colours are
dominent - both coat and eye - if blue eyes are tied to a dilution or just
specifically WS ferrets, etc.
 
>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Judith Moon
>She also questioned you about using deaf jills and you told her this was
>fine.
 
IMO, this is not fine.  Deaf jills often tend to ignore their kits - some
ferrets that appear to be deaf can still hear certian tones (which BTW
ferrets can hear extremely low sounds as well as high tones - their
hearing range is MUCH better than ours!) so they may still care for the
kits just fine.  But why risk it?
 
Just my $.50 (gotta figure in the exchange rate)
 
Amy Flemming
Flemming farms
Perth, Western Australia
[Posted in FML issue 3111]