The breeding program at suncritters' is devided into phases. This means the guidelines for breeding, and thereby the requirements to the breeders are expected to be strengthened regularly, and with larger jumps in the requirements as a better foundation to raise the level are found, which also means that suncritters are entering a new phase in the breeding program.
The breeding program must currently be considered to be in the initial phase (Phase 1), where one or more lines with documented good temper (throughout several generations) are to be founded. Phase 2 is expected to have a decent foundation to be realistic at a minima of 7 years after the opening of suncritters - this means in the year 2009. Expecially with the current speed in breeding. Phase 2 will on the foundation of Phase 1 try to bring forward a healthy rat, which means breeding in the future are only done on rats without any prior illness. This phase is expected to last at least 10 years before a stable foundation is at hand (compared to the breeding speed in the initial phase). Phase 3 have the goal of a growing lifespan.
The last and 4th Phase is the ultimate condition for breeding at suncritters: No previous illness in 6+ months of a rat pack containing rats for breeding. This is exclusive non-contagious illness (e.g. tumours). however, this must be considered Utopia, and therefore no period of time are set for this one:-)
suncritters are expecting to transciend to - but not finish Phase 3 at any given time.
It should be noted that the phases are not sharply divided! This means the individual factors, expecially health, can have a great impact on the speed of the remaining phases. Phase 2 and Phase 3 are closely related, but at the same time the foundation of Phase 2 and Phase 3 are established in Phase 1, as health is a critical factor in this phase as well.
In this phase smaller health issues are unfortunatly tolerated due to the lack of breeding stock in the right age, which are able to meet the expectations of suncritters. The breeding are done with full health information to the buyers. There are no breeding on rats with a bad temper! In the future suncritters are expecting to use only rats with perfect health (no previous illness at all). When the foundation are judged to be stable enough, suncritters will start on Phase 2.
Breeding for specific colours, patterns or physical appearances have no priority! With the general problems with temper and especially health in far too many rats, this is considered to be a problem of luxury in the suncritters' breeding. Only in cases where several equally good breeding candidates colour/pattern/physical appearances may obtain a priority.
The breeding speed are low for each house (currently a max. of 4 litters). As a great part of the breeding are based on previous litters, it is of outmost importance to give earlier generations enough time to develop before usage.
It has been assed that a breeding speed of more than 4 litters a year is a poor match in the breeding program of suncritters, as too many unclear factors may evolve around the evaluation of each litter.
suncritters do not use inbreed between brother/sister or parent/offspring! The use of this are considered too great a risk for Phase 3, as the needed knowledge is not big enough. However, back-crossing on the line is used, where two generations of outbreed are carried out before breeding back on the line. The consequence of this according to Phase 3 is currently assed to be existing, but fairly low due to the outbreeding in the generations inbetween.
Inbreed (brother/sister) at suncritters can be used with exceptional conditions. These are specified to the apperance of completely new colour mutations or other physical apperancies, which has not been found before worldwide! In these cases inbreed will be used in order to examine the health of the mutation - but the breeding will only take place, is the rats can apply the current guidelines for breeding - and if it does not contain any harm to the general health and vigor! A possibly new line will therefore be controlled by extra hard demands before possible release to the general public.
In other words: suncritters do not expect at any time to use matings between brother/sister or parent/offspring:-)