Is It Just Wishful Thinking?

Well very out of character, Brannagh refused to eat tonight. She has only refused maybe twice in well over a year and a half, so this is definitely out of character for this female who is normally a VERY aggressive eater. She just had no interest at all in the rat. :confused:

going off feed is normal for a breeder girl. there really isn't alot of room for growing follicles and food. i'd be more worried if my breeder girls were still eating like crazy! :eek:



vaughn

Thanks Vaughn, I know I'm being a nervous nellie here (dang first year breeders eh???) Well Brann refused - she's been with Malachi once so far, Kyna refused last week and this week - she's been with Malachi three times so far and Orlah snarfed down her rat - she's not been with Malachi yet, he goes in with her in a couple of days. Malachi has refused since the first time he was in with a female, I think he has other things on his mind lately LOL. Thank goodness he's a big boy and we are resting him well between the females so he's looking just fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Well we tried the palpitating thing...very interesting LOL. With Kyna whose been with Malachi three times now I felt some sort of pebble/marble things in her, tried to count them and got four but who the heck knows really. I'll keep checking her. With Orlah whose just going in with Malachi for her first time later this week I just felt solid, smoothness...no bumps. With Brannagh whose pictured above it was harder because she's so big now. I thought I could feel bigger bumps in her (much bigger than Kyna's) but again hard to say since I'm not sure what I'm feeling for and she's so darn thick and muscular (plus I was scared to squeeze down too hard). I'll keep checking, practising this palp thing and rotating Malachi through with all three. Boy what a nice winter Mal is having. I'm sure Riordan and Buddy are jealous as all get out! LOL

---

Hey Jo, did you try it with a paper towel between your hand and the snake, or a pillowcase? I found it easier to feel follicles with the reduction in friction.

oh how exciting... i'm giddy!

Yep I sure did Robin and it does make it easier to feel. I'm giddy to Aleesha! The snake may do just fine through this breeding season, I on the other hand may drive you all and my husband and likely the snakes quite mad with my worrying, fretting, researching and pacing LOL.

Jo,
Every day still feels like my first season, as I still get excited about every little detail of breeding. As far as palpating goes, don't be afraid to squeeze too hard. I apply a good bit of pressure to my girls, and I believe it helps to detect what I am feeling (i.e. organs, food items, urates or follicles). By the way, I usually try to get the female to relax for a few minutes before I start. I also will run my finger down the snakes belly a few times until I feel them "loosen" up a bit. I have some that will stay all puffed up and tense for a while. They eventually relax and makes the job easier. Just a side note, what I learned when I started palpating is that inexperienced or new palpaters(I don't know if that is a word), myself included, can usually only feel follicles that are 20 mm or larger. At that stage of developement, it is prime time for breeding. So my advice is to throw that male in with the girl if you can feel follicles. Hope any of that helped.

Helps TONS! Thanks Tim! :)

No problem Jo.