Question...

[Super_Girl456]

Hey All, I've got a questions on Breeding. I have read most of the Breeding Threads that people have started on here and not one really can answer my question. I've read websites and I just ordered the Hedgehog Primer. I can't wait to read though it. Anyway, I bought a male hedgehog last year. He is as sweet as can be, The man I got him from handled him a lot... I didn't notice until I got him and really got to know Nuka more, when I realized my boy had a bent nose. I asked the vet if it was going to go straight as he got older and she said no he was born like that and It'll probably stay like that. I don't mind him having his nose bent a bit. He's soo cute just the way he is... And since I got him he's only grown a bit. My female has grown a lot. I know that some male hedgehogs are smaller then the female. Some can be the same size... I was wondering if I mated Nuka with a female. Would the babies have bent to the side noses like him or would they be regular?

[Kerrie]

Hello and welcome to the forum.:)
I can't answer your question, but I am sure a more knowledgable member will be able too.
The problem will be though, that the color you chose to post your message in, is very difficult to read and kind of strains your eyes.(my old eyes anyway :laugh: )
For future posts, try using another color as sometimes members will pass up reading them if it is too dificult to see.

[PrettyHate]

I need to rethink what I wrote. Give me a bit.

[kaiteedyd]

do you have a pic of the bent nose?

If the nose was that way when he was born he could pass the trait on. If it happened later in life, like his nose got broke, he won't pass it on.

[PrettyHate]

Alright, here is a second go at this.

My first thought was No, your baby hedgies will not have crooked noses like dad. But then I started to think about human genetics, and how more often than not someone will say to you, "you have your moms eyes", "you have your dads nose" etc.

If his nose is indeed a "birth defect" of sorts then it is quite possible that it may be passed on to offspring. If it is something that happened later on in life (that is, it is not related at all to his genetics) then there is no worry of him passing it on.

However, the fact that you hedgie does have a sort of "birth defect" may be reason enough to give a second thought to breeding him- especially if you are unsure of his lineage.

For the most part only hedgies that are a "prime" example of the breed are used for breeding purposes. That is to say that hedgehogs that are in good heath both "inside and out" are by most standards more desirable to breed than hedgies such as yours. This is in no way meant as a jab at your boy. Im sure he is a wonderful little guy :) Im simply saying that because of his nose, many people would see him as unfit to breed even though he is perfectly healthy etc.

[Pippin'sMom]

Bent as in crooked, or does it look naturally bent? I believe that some hedgies have noses that curl up at the end, if that's the case then I don't think it's a defect. If not, then I would advise against breeding him. Breeders should really only breed to better the species, and if this is a defect, he may pass it on. Not to say you little bugger isn't a good pet, he just may not be the prime choice for breeding stock.

[Iluvhedgies]

If hedgies genes are like humans, and the bent nose is a birth defect, then it all depends on the genes. If the bent nose is a recessive gene (a small gene) then it needs another one just like it to be passed on, so your female would have to have it or someone in her family. If it was a dominant gene( a big gene) then it depends on chance. It would be more possible of the babies getting it :)

[Super_Girl456]

First, I'd like to thank all who responded to my post. I really appreciate it greatly!
Second, I'm sorry Kerrie for the Bright color. I was in a hurry and was trying to make it a color I could see and know it was me, So I didn't get mixed up...
Anyway, I don't have a really good picture of Nuka but when I take one hopefully tomorrow he will be in a good mood for sum close ups. :0)
When I got home from the place I got my Hedgies from I looked closely at them and his nose was bent or crooked. The vet told me that he was probably born that way ... but he and Zoey my female are VERY healthy. I want to believe that I rescued my 2 hedgehogs because when I got them they were sick. had a bunch of problems. They had to stay the hole weekend. I didn't even have them for over 2 or 3 days.... I was heartbroken I couldn't even call to check on them my Mom had to cause I felt so bad I'd start to cry... Sounds ridiculous but I treat my animals like they are my own kids!
Anyway, I don't think he broke it I think it was a thing he was born with. I feel bad for him but I don't love him any different. Kaiteedyd and PrettyHate I think you both are very right.
I do not want to become a breeder where I have 20 or more hedgehogs, I just wanted to mate my female and let her be a mother once. I know they will all have good homes because my friends all want one. Plus I'll probably keep one. I love looking at the little babies all the breeders post and I send them to my friend or I set it as my background...
Pippin'sMom I totally agree with Breeders should only breed to better the species. I agree 100%!
I am thinking of seeing about maybe mating my female with another male. I am hoping my friend's cousin has a male because it would be perfect. I don't see or find that my female has a bent or crooked nose. She seems like a regular Hedgie to me.....
Well, I better go, Thanks for all ya'lls opinions. I really appreciate! Thanks again!

[Super_Girl456]

Ok :) I took some pictures of Nuka. I tried my best to get good one. I'm not sure you can see his nose all that good. I really don't think it's 2 big of a deal... But what do ya'll think? Do you think the lil babies would have the same like bent to the side nose????? :confused:

[paris26]

I want to believe that I rescued my 2 hedgehogs because when I got them they were sick. had a bunch of problems. They had to stay the hole weekend. I didn't even have them for over 2 or 3 days....

Where did you get these hedgehogs from again? Because if they were "rescued" from a pet store, the general concensus is that they shouldn't be bred due to unknown backgrounds, but I'm sure you know that from your research. Better off to get two pedigreed hedgies from a reputable breeder to ensure they are not related.

I would also e-mail some hedgie breeders and talk with them about the whole breeding process- the ups and downs. What better way to get information than from a breeder?

Check out Becca's site www.daisymeadows.com or Tig's site www.hedgehogvalley.com

ps.. I think Nuka's nose looks normal. Atticus's nose is turned up at the end. Is that where it's "crooked"? I can't really see it