Breeding 2 year old female?

I'm planning to breed my female BP's at three years old, but I've heard of people breeding at two years old if they're big enough. If you've had an experience with, or have an opinion about breeding two-year-olds, I'd like to hear about it. :)

I tried one girl this year that was 2 and 1600 grams, she was not interested at all so I didn't push the issue. My older girls did though and am up to my third clutch being laid here in a couple weeks. To me if she takes great if not no big deal. I just think the younger they are your probably going to be more out to slug out and your may run the risk more of egg impaction.

I've bred 2 girls that were 2 years old. One was around 1700 grams and the other was 2000 grams. Half of both clutches were slugs. To me it wasn't worth it, and I don't think I'll do it again.

Thanks for the info! I'll just have to wait the whole three years... One down, two to go!

I have several gravid 2 year olds that weren't 2 yet before starting to breed and have several that already dropped perfect eggs.
If allowing your females more time to mature also allows you more time to prepare then that's your best reason to wait.

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I have several gravid 2 year olds that weren't 2 yet before starting to breed and have several that already dropped perfect eggs.
If allowing your females more time to mature also allows you more time to prepare then that's your best reason to wait.

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haha agreed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I have several gravid 2 year olds that weren't 2 yet before starting to breed and have several that already dropped perfect eggs.
If allowing your females more time to mature also allows you more time to prepare then that's your best reason to wait.

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Ah.... so maybe I might be able to get a clutch next year. My biggest female might be ready by then.... If I'm ready by then.

If they're big enough, you can try it. Often, they won't breed, but if they do, I don't think the egg fertility is affected. (That's usually up to the male).
On the other hand, if you wait another year, that's another year of fast growth, which of course produces a larger female. Larger females usually lay larger clutches.

I think it's fine as long as those 2 year olds were hatched in early spring. Then technically they will breed at 2 years of age but they will lay after their third winter. That's how my 2 year old breeders have always been. So it's more like 2 1/2. I've always had normal clutches with those girls also. If done right it's fine but never push it. If a female is still eating strong at 1500 grams, I won't put a male with her yet. I'll keep feeding her until she decides on her own to fast. If she's thick at 1500 but seems too short, nope.. Too long at 1500 but not thick, nope..

In other words, if she doesn't look like the average 2000 gram, 3 year old female should look when she's only 1500-1700 grams and 2-2 1/2 yrs old, then I probably won't do it. Some females just aren't ready at that age and some are.

I paired my Het albino female this year and she was over 1700 grams but never witnessed a lock! It was her second winter so I will try again this year! I think if they are ready, they will go, if they are not, they won't! I think this is true for any age! Good luck!