[ian]

I picked up these two does by chance yesterday, I think there was a little group of them being offered so some other members might have a few too. I have wanted herefords for a while but didnt want to take on another variety however when someone says you can take whatever you want its harder to resist.
One of them looks a bit tubby although I was assured she isnt pregnant I hope she is as I dont have a hereford buck and both of them are old enough.

I think they are very unusual and interesting looking mice.

 

[Maze]

I have 2 does as well!!! My OH couldn't resist even though he was supposed to be the sensible one and stop me! lol :lol:

 

[dangermouse]

stunning mice you have there............. im green with envy......lol......
seriously though well done.

 

[Maze]

Ian did you get any info on them from the guy? cause we left early and missed him.

 

[ian]

I got some info but I just thought I could have a look online to find out more-unfortunately because they are such a 'new' variety theres nothing much about them.

From what I was told the gene is dominant and works similarly to rumpwhites where you can cross in a non hereford and you will haver a mixed litter with some herefords and some selfs. Maybe Cait or someone can correct me?

If your looking to show you need to make sure the face markings cover the eyes but doesnt go under the chin, they must also have a regular shaped white rectangle or line on the under runnning from between the forelegs down. The tail should have a stop which means the colour continues from the body to half way down the tial and then the end half of the tail should be white. It sounds like a really complicated breed to develop!

 

[Maze]

sounds interesting!!! Do you know how old they are I'm guessing they're from the same litter. :lol:

 

[Cait]

For anyone who is an NMC member have a look in your rules and standards book at the standard for what they should look like. I also have some pics if anyone would like me to post them here for reference.

 

[ian]

Any idea about the genetics Cait?

I've heard they are dominant and was told it worked similar to rump whites, but does it have the same fatality if homozygous?

 

[Cait]

I have never bred them myself but I don't believe they are homozygous lethal.

 

[Cait]

Here are the pics for you:

And the under:

 

[NaomiR]

I think they're really striking and would definately be tempted if I wasn't so taken with siamese and himalayans As I understand it the hf gene is dominent so you can breed it to pretty much any self and the resultant litter will all be hf's?

Would love to see some black hf's how lovely would they be???

 

[Maze]

OMG!! the red one is GORGEOUS!!!!! I'm so glad my OH got them now! I've taken to them so quickly.

 

[ian]

Well thats good, I dont need a hereford buck just yet then, I might see what I get out of them with one of my blacks, I think black herefords would be nice....I have been thinking about working with some reds in the future once I have sorted out my blue rumpwhites, I'll see how it goes.

 

[Kage Davies]

I got one too :3.

The guy said he didn't know how old they were exactly, but over eight weeks for sure . Mine is lovely, she is by far the friendliest mouse I own. I wish I'd snapped up two now, I got first pick!

 

[Debbie]

I got a little Hereford doe at the show too
She is a dear little thing so calm and sweet natured I couldn't resist. I had planned to introduce her to our pet group of girls but, I am a little worried that she may be pregnant :shock: She has a definate bulge now when I pick her up and although I am hoping it is just she is a bit of a fatty, it really does look like she may be preggers to me !!!

 

[NaomiR]

well you'll know soon enough if she is pregnant but I would leave her with the silver doe because she's already had a litter and she'll help her out

 

[Debbie]

I will leave them two together now until I know for sure as they are a very happy pair Lucky there is not long to wait before I know for sure. I suppose thats something

 

[Kage Davies]

Mine looks a but chunky but I thought she was just well fed! She's in a cage, so she'd better not pop pinkies XD. I was going to breed her to my sable in a week or so, so that will probably give me blacks with tan ticking, among other things. He always seems to throw blacks :3. I'm crossing my fingers for some more chocolates though....

 

[ian]

One of mine is looking very pregnant. I thought she was just chunky but she has been eating the same diet as my other mice which shouldn't make them fat and she is getting bigger by the day. I'm thrilled if she is pregnant although obviously in different circumstances it might not be convenient.

If anyone else gets surprise hereford litters I'd be happy to take some more on as I would like to develop a (small) line of them for show.

 

[Kage Davies]

I will pop her into one of my RUBs, just to be safe then. Don't want her to have bubbas in the cage. I will happily share, if you want some. I was going to breed them a bit anyway. I won't be keeping any spare bucks unless requested, though. Dunno how show quality mine would turn out! But I will be working on getting satins, blacks and I'll see what else pops out :3.