[SarahC]

The vibrating tail is a warning and its usually but not always,males that do it.Some of my very butch males when in with females do it at me.

 

[SarahC]

ha ha,I bet it was the siamese that followed with a bite.I have had most of this with them and self black.

 

[SarahC]

I haven't had an aggressive blue but you ask Cait about the evil siamese buck I had.He was in a barred cage and would try to grab you if you brushed the cage.Had all the dogs noses,much to their surprise.As breeders these he men/mice are good at getting the job done.

 

[SarahC]

Its definately a trait of some varieties,siamese being the obvious one,so to a degree yes.Its also a normal male behaviour so not all bucks that do it can be condemned.The siamese I had that did it was an extreme case and was dispatched.I wouldn't have passed his progeny on to be pets. Personally I wouldn't pass bucks on as pets at all,does are so much more problem free.In that respect they don't really compare to rats.I think rat exhibitors are more likely to pass their surplus on as pets in any case and less likely to cull them? As far as being a show animal, does not bucks fit the ideal and are far more likely to be shown so its not much of a problem really.Some of the very nice docile bucks can be a problem to get breeding.Its a case of balance between being butch and not to fierce.

 

[SarahC]

thanks for the considered response.If only every one on forums could be so civil.Whilst feeding in the shed I have also given it more thought.My thoughts revolved around other fancies.Rabbits,some very unsociable varieties.Polish dwarf spring to mind,cat varieties,many with catitude that don't make great pets.Some poultry have serious attitude although I think its the cocks rather than hens.Nobody in these fancies thinks anything of it.There is a stud buck class for mice.I had a good conversation about that with a long time fancier at Bingley.His opinion was winning the class used to have importance and generate respect.Over the years he thinks the importance of the stud buck class has dwindled in peoples eyes and is hardly worth having.I'm very interested as well in all these things and always try to get answers from people who have seen a few decades of showing.With male mice being in general more feisty than rats I guess people don't want the hassle of housing big numbers .As for castration,I'm afraid that although mice are my passion, I don't think they can compete as a rewarding pet, with the rat.Rats come out of the nest interested in humans and just about tame themselves and always welcome interaction.For that reason they attract owners that are willing to spend on them.I don't think it will ever be the case for mice.There are of course exceptions.

 

[SarahC]

Ha,I've got to comment on the parrots,sorry to hijack the thread.I also have non breeding parrots.Four until earlier this year.One, a hen red lored made a devoted couple up with my orange wing.I've had her over 20 years and she hates me with a passion.A hatred born out of jealousy of my close relationship with the o.wing.He died earlier this year and even though she is lonely she won't have me at any price.When she comes out I have to have an open magazine on my head to protect me,not a pretty sight.I admire the fact that she won't give up her parrotness to be the human baby that so many want them to be.