Follicle Question, Size, Fertilization, Duration

[mooingtricycle]

I have an interesting question, At least... to me.

In Two, possibly three of my females, i feel follicles, One of them has about... dime/penny sized follicles, while the other has nickle sized follicles. The third, are still small, but present ( but she is in QT ).

Generally, how long, once you feel follicles of these sizes... do they stick around while the female is receptive?

What size, GENERALLY is their... I would guess to say, maximum size before you know the female is gravid ( I realize go until ovulation, but if that is missed for one reason or another...)

Id just be interested to know, ones experience when they start to feel follicles in the females, and about how things go, and what they think during that timeframe as to whether or not the female took, or will take.

Im not looking for definites here, but some detailed information ( technical is quite alright, and to be honest, i really would prefer EXPERIENCED opinions on this matter...)

Im looking for absolutely as much information as one is willing to provide * not website links, ive seen them! I did a few searches on the site for the follicle topic, and didnt really come up with anything that answered my questions* Its possible i missed the info though

[AaronP]

Those are some very good questions Alicia!

[roosterman2173]

I don't have the best of luck at feeling follicles in my girls. Hope you get some answers to help us all.

[muddoc]

In my experience, the smallest follicle that an experienced palpater (word?) can feel is about 20mm (although I have heard some people say they can feel 18mm). Typically when they are in the 26mm and larger range, the female will not reabsorb, but go through with the process (this does not mean that she lay fertilized healthy eggs, as if she isn't in good condition, she can choose not to put her fat stores or energy into the eggs). Typically between 35mm and 40mm is when she will ovulate.

Now, for your length of time question, that is a bit harder to answer. A typical female once she has decided to start developing (how they decide that is a mystery), the follicles will grow between 6mm and 8mm a week (I do not have an ultrasound, but this is what I have been told). So, if you can feel follicles when palpating(this would indicate about 20mm), them you are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks from ovulation. In general, once I can feel what I would describe as ping pong ball sized follicles (probably between 28mm and 30mm), they are usually about 14 days from ovulation. With that said, I have had females that get to that size and hold them there for up to three months before they ovulate. In conclusion, when trying to draw timelines, there are none, with the exception of post ovulation. As most studied people know, it is usually 14 after ovulation that the female will shed, 30 after shed she will lay, and 60 days after laying the eggs will hatch. Those are the only hard dates that I know (but as with every other rule, those can be bent some too). LOL.

Hope that gave some insight,

[mooingtricycle]

In my experience, the smallest follicle that an experienced palpater (word?) can feel is about 20mm (although I have heard some people say they can feel 18mm). Typically when they are in the 26mm and larger range, the female will not reabsorb, but go through with the process (this does not mean that she lay fertilized healthy eggs, as if she isn't in good condition, she can choose not to put her fat stores or energy into the eggs). Typically between 35mm and 40mm is when she will ovulate.

Now, for your length of time question, that is a bit harder to answer. A typical female once she has decided to start developing (how they decide that is a mystery), the follicles will grow between 6mm and 8mm a week (I do not have an ultrasound, but this is what I have been told). So, if you can feel follicles when palpating(this would indicate about 20mm), them you are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks from ovulation. In general, once I can feel what I would describe as ping pong ball sized follicles (probably between 28mm and 30mm), they are usually about 14 days from ovulation. With that said, I have had females that get to that size and hold them there for up to three months before they ovulate. In conclusion, when trying to draw timelines, there are none, with the exception of post ovulation. As most studied people know, it is usually 14 after ovulation that the female will shed, 30 after shed she will lay, and 60 days after laying the eggs will hatch. Those are the only hard dates that I know (but as with every other rule, those can be bent some too). LOL.

Hope that gave some insight,

I wish that i could thank you a few times with that "thanks button" LOL

Thank you, VERY much for sharing this information. Seriously, extremely informative. The length of time question, was not AS important as knowing the process according to size * i understand most is still rough estimates, every snake is different*

This really does help my understanding of the mechanics of the whole process though. I realize that it would also come with experience, but, i have an insatiable need to KNOW!

Again... THANK YOU!!!!