Plan: Breed Lancelot x Misty Blue using an introduction approach.
Goal: Change Lancelot's status to proven; try to get Misty Blue to accept breeding without assistance; testing Misty Blue to see if she carries Chocolate: a Lilac kit.
Conclusion: Misty Blue lifted for Lancelot as two fall offs were witnessed. About an hour later, she again was receptive and two fall offs were witnessed.
Before the breeding, I cut the nails on Lancelot and Misty Blue as well as weighed them both. I checked Misty Blue's genital area which appeared a deeper color. This suggested that placing her in the cage next to Lancelot a few days before breeding had the desired result, because Misty Blue has been rather difficult about accepting a buck in the past.
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| aa Bb C_ Dd E_ sisi | aa B_ Ccchd dd E_ sisi |
Although Lancelot is the younger of my two bucks by just three weeks, he is also the largest. He is just over six months old so it could be a bit early for him, but judging by the interest and mannerisms when Denim was in the cage next to him, I would say he should be ready. I chose to breed him with Misty Blue, my largest doe, because he is heterozygous on the B and D loci, which means he carries Chocolate and Blue (technically dilute). I am hoping to see if Misty Blue carries Chocolate, but since this will be her last breeding, I am more interested in seeing if this breeding will produce a Lilac.
I wanted to be sure to try for two breedings an hour apart, because Misty's last kindle, which was the result of an assisted breeding, was only five and I would like to see seven to eight kits this time.