Not Interested and Off Feed

This will be my first year attempting to breed and for the heck I put a 430 gram male with a 2,000 gram girl a month ago to see if anything happened. I only kept him in there for a day and didn't attempt again till a couple weeks later. He's 550 grams now, and its been two weeks since the last time I put them together. They are both together now and the my female seems very uninterested, and is glued to the end of the tub.

This female stopped eating a little over a month ago after eating strong all summer.

Should I keep them together for a couple days this time? Should I take the male out? Any other thoughts?

I'd give them 48 hours or until an observed lock. If you don't see a lock after 2 days, pull him for a week and try again.

Ok I will keep them together longer this time. I know BPs go off feed all the time, but is it a concern when females go off feed this time of year?

Keep trying. It's really early in the season. In my experience, I don't witness much activity the first few times I pair up early in the season. However, the act of putting them together might start the hormonal process of egg formation. First pairing of Calico X Orange Ghost 10/4/11 (no activity):

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6223/6...168cb2b224.jpg

If you see this, then a lock is not too far behind. I liken it to "holding hands." 12/7/11

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6...5166058ae0.jpg

2 days later, first lock! 12/9/11

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6...f59b478252.jpg

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Originally Posted by hops523

This will be my first year attempting to breed and for the heck I put a 430 gram male with a 2,000 gram girl a month ago to see if anything happened. I only kept him in there for a day and didn't attempt again till a couple weeks later. He's 550 grams now, and its been two weeks since the last time I put them together. They are both together now and the my female seems very uninterested, and is glued to the end of the tub.

This female stopped eating a little over a month ago after eating strong all summer.

Should I keep them together for a couple days this time? Should I take the male out? Any other thoughts?

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Your male's size/age could be your real problem. How old is he? At that size, I never would have started pairing a young or problem feeder male. I wouldn't be remotely concerned about a 2K girl missing a few meals.

Thanks for the pics MarkieJ. I will keep trying, it will be interesting to see when they lock.

My male is about 7 months old I believe. I paired him because of some success stories that I've read with younger males. He's been a great eater ever since I got him, and he's continued to eat since I paired them up. I'm definitely going very slow with him pairing wise.

I was a little confused when I saw my female glued to the end of the tub, almost trying to stay as far away from the male as possible.

7 months and 450g is young to start breeding and unless its a project that your really pushing for i personally would wait untill next year. that being said it really early to start pairing i wait untill the weekend after thanksgiving to start pairing. as far as them not eating its common. i have a few that go off feed for 3-4 months after there first pairing and some that will eat maybe once a month and some that keep eating every week like clockwork it just depends on the snake

I have never tried breeding balls before now. In the beginning of September I put my male pastel in with a normal and on September 3rd I witnessed my first lock. They were locked for 6-8 hours. I pulled him and couple days later out him with another female and they locked.. I put him back with the first female and they locked 2 more times.. she just shed last Sunday, but unsure if it is a ore lay shed.

Your male is probably too young. It's uncommon for them to breed at that size/age.

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Originally Posted by pythnsnkmn

I have never tried breeding balls before now. In the beginning of September I put my male pastel in with a normal and on September 3rd I witnessed my first lock. They were locked for 6-8 hours. I pulled him and couple days later out him with another female and they locked.. I put him back with the first female and they locked 2 more times.. she just shed last Sunday, but unsure if it is a ore lay shed.

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I'm fairly certain that she's not going into her pre lay shed already. Last year was my first year breeding and my locks were in march and I didn't get babies till august. And that's a quick time frame. Its probly just a normal shed that happened to be after a lock. But who knows. I've heard of stranger things to happen.

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I put the male in for 2 days, if I see a lock during that time I let them finish. Then at least 4 days off, offering a meal. If I dont see any locks in the first 48hs I take him out, and try again next week.

Thanks everyone, I'll take your advice. I'm sure he'll get going eventually:)

The thing you need to know for sure with a male of that size is he producing sperm plugs? Without these you won't have much luck.