Breeding and QT

[Kinra]

This might be a stupid question but I'd rather ask in the event that maybe I am wrong.

Next month I am going to be picking up a proven breeder male and female. I know November is just the typical start of breeding season, but I'm wondering if I can pair them in quarantine? They are coming from the same person. I don't want to wait until much later in the season to start pairing them. I also want to pair him with the 2 large females I already have, but that is going to have to wait. My thoughts are that pairing them in quarantine is not a good idea, but I'm hoping I'm wrong.

I'm thinking about only quarantining them for 45 days or so. I'm going home to NH for about 1-2 weeks at the end of December and I'd like to start pairing him with my other females when I get back at the start January. Do you think that will be fine? I have another snake from this person currently in quarantine and I haven't noticed anything yet. I've had him for about a month so far.

[llovelace]

If they are from the same breeder, I see no problem pairing them while in QT.

[RyanT]

If they're already coming from the same place, it's not like they could infect each other with anything, so no problem there. But what condition are they in? If they're not in breeding shape, they're gonna need time for you to get them there. Jeopardizing their health by breeding them (the female mostly) before they're ready would negate the whole point of even quarantining at all.

[Kinra]

If they're already coming from the same place, it's not like they could infect each other with anything, so no problem there. But what condition are they in? If they're not in breeding shape, they're gonna need time for you to get them there. Jeopardizing their health by breeding them (the female mostly) before they're ready would negate the whole point of even quarantining at all.

I'm getting them from a good breeder (Jim Stelpflug) so I'm sure they are in good health. The male is a 4 year old and 1000g, he looks great in the picture Jim sent me. I don't have any info on the female other than she is 2000g+. He knows I want to breed them so I can't see him giving me a female that is in poor condition, not that I could see him selling a female in poor condition anyways. I would never jeopardize an animals health just for a shot at babies. I have 2 small (500-700g) males that I am going to also try to breed this year and I will be watching them like a hawk.

[RyanT]

Nice. Sounds like you're definitely on the right track then. In that case, they should already be in good health and the QT is just a formality. As long as the female has good weight on her, I say turn 'em loose! Haha.

Of course there's no guarantee there'll be any action right away. They may need to settle in and get comfortable with their new surroundings, temps, etc. But it can't hurt to try. And ya never know, you may very well get a nice surprise. Good luck.

[Kinra]

Nice. Sounds like you're definitely on the right track then. In that case, they should already be in good health and the QT is just a formality. As long as the female has good weight on her, I say turn 'em loose! Haha.

Of course there's no guarantee there'll be any action right away. They may need to settle in and get comfortable with their new surroundings, temps, etc. But it can't hurt to try. And ya never know, you may very well get a nice surprise. Good luck.

Thanks!

I'm definately going let them get settled in first. I was thinking I would start pairing them at the start of Decemeber, that way they're only a month behind my other 2 females. ^__^

This is my first season so if I get even one clutch of eggs I will be happy.