Re: Power feeding a male?
I would say pushing it...
There is no guarantees that even when he gets that big that he will be producing sperm, which is the most important part of breeding. :)
Re: Power feeding a male?
I still think it would be worth a try. Only if it is safe to feed my spider that much if its risky ill just feed once a week and wait till the following season. But id like to start ASAP!
Re: Power feeding a male?
What's the rush? This breeding season, next breeding season? What's the huge rush to put weight on this male? If he's ready, if she's ready...they're ready. She's not even at 1,500 grams and that's also dependent on her length (1,500 is not the only number to worry about). Weight is only one of the determining factors anyways. Has this female finished her quarantine period? She's a rescue, is she eating well and in good health? Rescues often take awhile to get back up to speed.
Breeding isn't about rushing into things or trying to push snakes too fast just to hit a goal you have...no "ASAP!" about it, at least in my opinion.
Re: Power feeding a male?
IMO size does not make a whole lot of differece when you are only going to be using him for 1 female. I think age is more important with males. How big and how old is this snake now? Feeding your snake a small meal every 5 days will not make him unhealthy. Is it possible for you to buy a late 06 male? Honestly, If it were me and he had good weight and was producing plugs I would probably give it a try. Oh, and feeding a small meal every 5 days is not "powerfeeding". Many people feed hatchlings every 5 days.
Re: Power feeding a male?
probably a stupid question, but how do you check for plugs?
Re: Power feeding a male?
I've seen them with urates. They look like a yellow or white "Y" of sperm.
Re: Power feeding a male?
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankykeno
What's the rush? This breeding season, next breeding season? What's the huge rush to put weight on this male? If he's ready, if she's ready...they're ready. She's not even at 1,500 grams and that's also dependent on her length (1,500 is not the only number to worry about). Weight is only one of the determining factors anyways. Has this female finished her quarantine period? She's a rescue, is she eating well and in good health? Rescues often take awhile to get back up to speed.
Breeding isn't about rushing into things or trying to push snakes too fast just to hit a goal you have...no "ASAP!" about it, at least in my opinion.
I agree, I don't understand what the rush is to breed this male? Or that female, for that matter. He'll also need to be in quarantine as well, when you bring him home.
I am going into my first breeding season this year. I have four females that I am hopeful will be ready. They're all over 1500 grams, but two are long and lean. If they don't "feel" right to me, they won't be bred this year, cutting my clutches in half. But I don't feel the need to push any of my snakes just because I want to breed them.