Update – The LANTERN Litter 🔍🐀

The LANTERN Litter has now given us the answer we were hoping for.

The dam, Chanell, is indeed genetically Ruby Eye-based Beige. More precisely, she is Russian Blue Beige, as both of her parents are Russian Blue.

The litter produced beautiful Fawn and Beige youngsters with Ruby Eyes, while not a single Pink Eyed youngster appeared.

This gives us a much clearer picture of the genetics behind Chanell’s light coloration and confirms that her phenotype is based on Ruby Eye rather than Pink Eye.

The litter also revealed another useful piece of information:

Chestnut is genetically Aa.

So our little genetic test breeding did exactly what it was intended to do. What initially looked like Mother Nature trying to keep us guessing has ultimately provided several valuable answers. 🧬🐀

Further information about the individual youngsters, their colours and availability will be added as they continue to develop.

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The LANTERN Litter is a carefully planned test breeding designed to clarify whether the dam’s light coloration is based on Ruby Eye or Pink Eye genetics. As the sire is Ruby Eyed, this pairing was expected to provide us with valuable information about the genetics behind her coloration.

Mother Nature, however, seems determined to keep the mystery alive a little longer. 😄

At the moment, there does not appear to be a single standard, black-eyed youngster in the nest. Instead, the entire litter seems to consist of light-coloured varieties.

Exactly which colours and genetic combinations are present cannot yet be determined reliably at this very young age. Over the next 2–3 weeks, their eye and coat pigmentation should develop enough to reveal whether we are looking at Ruby Eyed or Pink Eyed varieties.

There is, however, one additional possibility that could make this genetic puzzle even more interesting: although the sire is Ruby Eyed himself, he may also carry Pink Eye. If so, both genes could potentially be involved in the litter.

For now, we simply have to let the youngsters develop and wait for their colours to reveal the answer. 🔍🐀

Further information about colours, varieties and availability will be added as the litter develops.