[Sylviemouse]

I am a long time pet mouse keeper though not breeder (yet). I have bred and exhibited other pets successfully over the years, but would like to have some show type mice...as they are so gorgeous, with a view to exhibiting them at some point. I have a big empty, insulated shed with power and lighting, and no mice to put in it at the mo!

I adore the BE creams, himi's, siamese, lilacs, blues, brokens and rumpwhites. And also the stunning Astrex. I love the big earred, chunky show types and would very much like a couple of trio's to begin with and see how things go.

I hope to hear your ideas, advice/suggestions with where to start!

I have recently bought 3 young siamese girls (pet quality) from a friend, who has been hobby breeding this line for years. So no known health problems. I would like to have a buck to use with them, but what colour would be best, and who should I ask.

I live in North London, not far from the shows at Enfield.

 

[SarahC]

you need to make a decision on whether you really are going down the exhibition path before aquiring stock.You won't be able to turn your siamese into show quality mice however healthy and pretty they are.If you decide you do want exhibition mice I would suggest joining the club as a starting point
http://www.thenationalmouseclub.co.uk/. I would discourage you from siamese as a first variety for showing.A self mouse,perhaps creams or whites would be a better choice and these also produce themselves in satin coats.If you want to stick with good hobby mice then Kallan on here has siamese that are well reared and attractive.

 

[laoshu]

I eco what sarah has said, for showing you really need to start with show mice. years and years of work has gone into these and if you want to do well at the shows you will need to start with good stock.
If you can get to the enfield show there are a few people there that breed the rump whites, blues, black eyed creams ect. (they also post on this site)
The next enfield show is in september but there is a show or two before then run by the NMC further north.

 

[Sylviemouse]

Hi there

That is really helpful.

I will keep my girls as the pretty pets they are then, and I think (and from what I have read/you have said) that perhaps the BE creams would be a could place to start with show mice then.

I will join the NMC in the first instance. It would be ok to wait until September at Enfield, but I would quite like to have my show mice before then if possible.

Do the NMC put members in touch with breeders? Or can you recommend a breeder of BE Creams that I could get some advice from?

Thanks

 

[SarahY]

Hello Sylviemouse, it's great to meet someone interested in exhibiting mice

Have you read this post: http://www.fancymicebreeders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7744?

Most NMC members are extremely generous with stock indeed and they want to give mice to other NMC members who are seriously interested in exhibiting them. They put a lot of work into their mice and most exhibitors have no interest in giving mice to people who won't do anything with them. When you join the NMC you'll get the current yearbook which contains contact details for everyone, and show results from the past year. For that reason I would suggest you join the NMC as soon as possible. You can find BE Cream breeders this way, then ring them up and ask for advice and stock

 

[Sylviemouse]

Hi Sarah Y

I have been looking on the NMC website, so will send off the membership form.

It sounds like other members are very generous to newbies. I certainly have an interest in exhibiting. Having done so previously with other animals. I cant promise how gung-ho I will be though. I certainly want to get the set up right and will follow the advice/aquire the right stock for exhibiting as a starting point, and then see how it all goes. (Just slightly worried breeders will have high expectations of me!). The good news is I am only about 10 mins from the Enfield Shows! So it would be feasible to commit to those as a starting point.

I havent read that thread yet but off to have a look and a search of the site for more info. How exciting!