I'm one of those awful people who breed badger ferrets!:) I'm a small time breeder, 2-3 litters a year. I've read articles on blazes and the gene for deafness going hand in hand but I have never had a problem with my badger's hearing. I have a badger hob who consistently throws badger kits. His hearing is the best of any of my ferrets. He can be at the opposite end of the house and he can hear a jill having an "argument" with another and he flies over there in record time. I have 3 badger jills, all with very good hearing. I know because they all look up when I call them. (Notice I didn't say they come when I call them, but I can tell that they hear me :) ). I guess maybe my guys aren't carrying the gene for Waardenburgs syndrome and that's why I haven't had a problem. I would never breed a deaf hob and a deaf jill would not take care of her kits if she couldn't hear them cry. My breeding ferrets were purchased from reputable breeders. I'm also interested in the incidence of deafness in badger ferrets. I think the occurance may be overrated. Cindy [Posted in FML issue 1281]