When do you stop pairing...

[Inknsteel]

When do you give up on a girl and stop pairing for the season? I have one female who is breeding size this season. I have been pairing her since October or November and I have witnessed at least 8-10 solid locks with my proven breeder male mojave and a couple locks with my pastel YB. She has been off food for 3 months now (93 days to be exact). I haven't seen any signs of building, no ovy, or any other distinguishable signs. I don't have any experience trying to palpate, so I don't know if she has follicles either. She shed a little over a week ago so I thought I might have missed something, so I put my mojo in with her again and they locked up again.

My question is, even though she's continuing to lock with my males, when do you decide the female isn't going to take and stop pairing for the season?

[PghBall]

From what I have heard, some people breed all year long. I would say keep pairing until they stop locking. As long as you are giving the male adequate rest and he is not losing alot of weight you should be fine. I'm sure you'll get alot of answers on this topic though.

[KatStoverReptiles]

This is my 1st year breeding and I only had 1 female up to size and she did go but I'd sort of decided that if she didn't go I was going to stop pairing somewhere around April/May or if she lost a whole bunch of weight. That way I'd have time to get her back up to size to try again next year.

[snake lab]

You stop once she lays eggs lol. I breed 3 groups of females all year long. A fall group, a spring group and a summer group. No cooling just pairing and let nature do what it do

[rcjgm5]

I would keep trying, breeding season lasts all year. I had a female albino lay eggs December 26th. She always lays late in the year. Best of luck. Let me know what happens.

Rob

[RichsBallPythons]

Till ovulation, then i stop

[PureLine Exotics]

i agree, don't breed your bps all year long. they can; but they will get tired and if at the end they do become gravid, they are tired and not prepared for long pregnancy. Although; i only breed in the winter/spring. i do a cooling period, and a small warming/feeding period before pairing only because this helps them save energy for the breeding. Every breeder has his/her own opinion. I keep them caged together until i am positive the males are ready to be taken out. it is important to keep track of their shedding patterns. if nothing happens, they usually come out at the end of april. and they are kept alone until next year.
Also it is quite easy to palpate. you tube a video and follow along it is simple. just make sure your snake is relaxed and as you move down her belly it will be a clear popping feeling. best of luck!

[aalomon]

I almost learned the hard way last season not to give up too early. I started pairing in November and stopped in May even though a few of my girls were still locking (no follicles though). Just for kicks I palpated in mid June and had follicles on two girls, a normal and a pewter. Started pairing again and both girls laid.

This year Im going to keep pairing until the females stop locking.

[Inknsteel]

Ok, I will keep tossing the males in as long as they keep locking...

What about girls that go off feed for an extended period of time? Like I said, she hasn't eaten for 93 days. She hasn't lost any noticeable weight yet, but at some point do you stop pairing to get her back on?

Sorry, first season breeder questions, but thanks for the help...

[snake lab]

I still offer my girls small meals but some dont eat and some do. It is also very important to offer small meals to your males. A male will literally breed himself to death if you let him so its very important to keep his strength up for the rigors of breeding. Small meals only. Dont worry bout anything but sustaining him. If you feed him alot he will tend to be a lazy breeder