Questions about breeder males

[BlueMoonExotics]

I've read in various places different info on breeding so I figured I'd ask and see if you guys could help me out with some questions (some may sound pretty stupid to you more experienced breeders ):

1. 2 out of the 3 males that I was going to breed this season went off feed several weeks before I actually paired them with any females. I was wondering if this is normal?
2. I read (and was told) that males naturally go off feed for breeding but I've also read to take the males out for a break and to feed. If they are off feed for breeding, how do you get them to eat?
3. If they aren't eating, is it ok to still pair them? I ask because someone told me to just go ahead and pair them.
4. I have seen visual locks with all of my females and after I see the lock and I catch them separated, I take the males out and put them back in their tubs but should I be leaving them the full 3 days even if I've seen a lock?
5. How often do you pair your males if you're spotting visual locks? I've been told on here to pair every 3-4 days but I'm not sure if that is if you aren't actually seeing the locks. I've read anywhere from once a week and others say try to get a lock once a month. I don't want to over do it since my males are having no issues locking within the first hour of being paired. They lock so much that I actually have a hard time getting them when they're unlocked to put them back in their tubs!

This is my first season actually breeding them myself so I just want to make sure I do everything right and my males are going to be ok. I'm ok with the females since I've gotten females that were previously bred and ovulated in my care so I think I've got the eggs and baby raising down pat but the breeding process is still a new thing for me.

[kylearmbar]

It's ok to breed males who won't eat,most won't until it warms back up. It's three days breeding three off, this is if your pairing to several females though. If it's only one or two I'd say a week off, and you can take him out once they break from a lock.

[satomi325]

I

1. 2 out of the 3 males that I was going to breed this season went off feed several weeks before I actually paired them with any females. I was wondering if this is normal?

Yes, it is normal for adults (male and female) to go off feed around this time

2. I read (and was told) that males naturally go off feed for breeding but I've also read to take the males out for a break and to feed. If they are off feed for breeding, how do you get them to eat?

When you give them breaks, just offer them food as normal. If they don't eat then they don't eat. Nothing to worry about.
But if your males start to loose weight and have poor body condition, it's time to pull them from breeding until they can get back up to a healthy condition.
Just be vigilant and pay attention to your snakes.

3. If they aren't eating, is it ok to still pair them? I ask because someone told me to just go ahead and pair them.

Yes, it is fine to pair. Like I said before, just watch your snakes' body condition. If they loose a significant amount of weight and start looking poor, then stop breeding them and try to get them back on feed.

4. I have seen visual locks with all of my females and after I see the lock and I catch them separated, I take the males out and put them back in their tubs but should I be leaving them the full 3 days even if I've seen a lock?

If you've seen them lock, you can take them out if you want. You can also leave them in if you want as well. It's personal preference. But usually that one lock is enough until their next round back with the female(s).

5. How often do you pair your males if you're spotting visual locks? I've been told on here to pair every 3-4 days but I'm not sure if that is if you aren't actually seeing the locks. I've read anywhere from once a week and others say try to get a lock once a month. I don't want to over do it since my males are having no issues locking within the first hour of being paired. They lock so much that I actually have a hard time getting them when they're unlocked to put them back in their tubs!

It's personal preference. There's no one way. They all work; once a week, everyday, once a month, whatever.
I personally do 4 days in and 3 days out regardless of a lock or not. It just keeps me on a regular routine. Messing up the schedule, just screws me up personally.