Another "weight" question...

[TaylorS]

So one of my females was born as a itty bitty 39g hatchling. And now @ two years old she's around 1350g. She's stopped eating... and is displaying the classic set of behaviors. I'm scared to try under 1500g but I'm thinking since she was a small hatchling maybe she's at the right weight "for her". Does this make any sense? Worst case scenario she just won't take I suppose. Thoughts?

[Anarchy]

if they are ready they will do it ....

[CoolioTiffany]

You can breed females as low as 1300g, but the recommended/suggested weight is 1500g. You can breed her if you want, but if you don't feel comfortable breeding her at the weight she is now, you can wait until next year. By next year she'd most likely be over 2000g LOL.

[T&C Exotics]

Ok so I see the "recommended/ sugested" weight for breeding a BP to be 1500. I have seen weights ranging between 1000 grams and a starting weight and up to 2000 grame. If she is going to breed then she will if not then no harm done. I have my own standards but you are not asking for someone else to give you their standards. I know plenty of breeders who breed at 1000 grams and do perfectly fine. Just to make sure I am clear btw I am talking about the female weight not male weight.

[Holbeird]

I usually wait until they're at least 1500 grams but I have had some before that were just a little under and shown all of the signs, and when it happened I've went for it. It's all up to your comfort on the issue. There is no "set weight" in my opinion. Just a healthy starting point to go from.

[MarkS]

The 'suggested weight' is baloney... I've had several females lay when they were less then 1000g I've got one that has laid good fertile clutches 2 years in a row and her post lay weight is around 700g Don't listen to what the 'experts' say... Fer crying out loud... I SWEAR that the WORST information DOESN'T come from newbies... I comes from people with 2-5 years experience who feel that they now 'KNOW IT ALL.....' IF YOU BREED YOUR FEMALE AND SHE IS MATURE ENOUGH TO LAY EGGS, THEN SHE WILL LAY EGGS...... PERIOD..... You can quote me on that... I'm sure it will be an earth shattering revelation for some......

[T&C Exotics]

The 'suggested weight' is baloney... I've had several females lay when they were less then 1000g I've got one that has laid good fertile clutches 2 years in a row and her post lay weight is around 700g Don't listen to what the 'experts' say... Fer crying out loud... I SWEAR that the WORST information DOESN'T come from newbies... I comes from people with 2-5 years experience who feel that they now 'KNOW IT ALL.....' IF YOU BREED YOUR FEMALE AND SHE IS MATURE ENOUGH TO LAY EGGS, THEN SHE WILL LAY EGGS...... PERIOD..... You can quote me on that... I'm sure it will be an earth shattering revelation for some......

Pretty much exactly what I was saying. Thank you for being a second to my statement. Now I do not breed my females that small. I have gone into it way to many times to state how I breed my snakes. But that is the way I do it. I have my own opinion on breeding as you do for the way you breed. If a female is ready and you have the comfort to do it then do it... Let her breed if you are not comfortable breeding her at her current weight then don't.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Yes, she will lay eggs. A few. And maybe the year after that, a few. Now, if you want good-sized clutches, that's another story, isn't it?

[aarondm]

Yes, she will lay eggs. A few. And maybe the year after that, a few. Now, if you want good-sized clutches, that's another story, isn't it?

I've heard alot about this and have always wondered if this is a documented, factual effect of early breeding. I'd love to see some numbers on that

[Big Gunns]

The 'suggested weight' is baloney... I've had several females lay when they were less then 1000g I've got one that has laid good fertile clutches 2 years in a row and her post lay weight is around 700g Don't listen to what the 'experts' say... Fer crying out loud... I SWEAR that the WORST information DOESN'T come from newbies... I comes from people with 2-5 years experience who feel that they now 'KNOW IT ALL.....' IF YOU BREED YOUR FEMALE AND SHE IS MATURE ENOUGH TO LAY EGGS, THEN SHE WILL LAY EGGS...... PERIOD..... You can quote me on that... I'm sure it will be an earth shattering revelation for some......

It's not complete "baloney" my leeetle Minion(BG loves to still use it when he can). It is true that a younger animal can be bred a produce eggs at a small size. BG doubts the males would pass up a young female in the wild if they were slithering by.


BG can't lie, he has bred females smaller than 1100 grams at the start with no problems(they gain a lot of weight while breeding). It's for obvious reason though. One year can make a huge difference when it comes to the price of a morph.

Here is the problem. They take a lot longer to get big. That year really sets them back. That's why Leeetle Minions female was less than 1000 grams 2 years in a row. If you can wait, it might be better. Although BG has had no problems with 18 month old smaller females, if you relate it to humans, BG guesses there could be more problems. BG's no expert, but if a 12 year old girl decided to have a baby, BG supposes(not 100% sure) there would more likely be a problem because of her size and age.

The Leeetle Minion(still miss them) is right though. If she is "mature enough" to lay eggs, there is a good chance she will. At 1350 and 2 years old, you'll probably be fine. BG has had a female that was around 1300 at the start of breeding lay 8 eggs, but it's usually 3 or 4.

ps. BG claimed to be "no expert" and said he wasn't "100% sure" purely for legal reasons. We all know Big Gunns knows everything.