The grey-on-white breeding warning (and what a DNA test changes)

When you record a mating from a female's profile (the Breeding tab, then New mating) and pick a grey partner for a solid white animal, AlpacaKeep shows a caution, Possible cryptic grey carrier. This is a gentle heads-up, not a block. You can still record the mating once you have seen it. (A grey × grey pairing is different: its red warning asks you to tick I've reviewed the risk and want to record this pairing anyway. before you can save.)

The Log mating form on the Breeding hub does not show this caution. It only stops a known lethal color cross, such as grey × grey, and asks you to tick I understand the lethality risk.

Why the warning appears#

Some grey and white coat colors carry genes that, when paired the wrong way, raise the risk of a non-viable cria. Breeders call this the lethal white or cryptic grey risk. The warning makes sure you have considered it before you commit the pairing. It does not mean the mating is wrong, only that you should go in with your eyes open.

Watch out. The warning is about the cria's genetics, not the parents' health. Both parents can be perfectly healthy and still carry a color gene worth flagging.

What a DNA test changes#

A classic-grey DNA test on the white animal can show that it does not carry a hidden grey gene. When you record a Negative (non-carrier) result for that animal, AlpacaKeep replaces the caution with a note, Classic grey cleared - white-spot risk not tested. The test rules out the classic grey part of the risk. It says nothing about white spotting, which has no test.

• A Negative (non-carrier) result on the white animal is the one that changes the caution.
• A Carrier, Samples sent, pending, or Inconclusive result does not change it. The caution stays so you keep the risk in view.

Good to know. Record an animal's coat-genetics result on its profile. A tested animal then shows that note instead of the caution on the New mating form.

This article keeps the biology light on purpose. For the full story on coat-color crosses and what each result means for your matings, see the coat-genetics guide.