Up to size for breeding

I have three females which were feed 4 days prior to weighing...
#1 1946
#2 1533
#3 1046

Wondering it #3 will up to size by September


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First two should go this year, the third should have no problem being ready by next year unless she’s one of those girls that hits the wall at 1000g lol. If she eats reasonably regular she will be far beyond ready by September.

Why the hurry?
They grow at different rates.
FYI, there is no season. You can breed year round. ;)

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Why the hurry?
They grow at different rates.
FYI, there is no season. You can breed year round. ;)

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Honestly if he plans to wait a year for a female that’s already over 1000g, that’s pretty far from a hurry lol. Now if he was asking if he could breed her this year, then I agree with you, no need to rush things, give her another year.

I agree with the Pit. No hurry. Godzilla is 2700 grams and over 4 years old. I think I will breed her soon. She’s ready to have a serious clutch.


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I agree there is no hurry as well I’m just not sure why it’s being said when the OP doesn’t seem to be in a hurry willing to wait almost another full year on a female that’s getting close to being ready. Breeding a healthy 1500g female can give a larger healthier clutch than an overweight 3000g female so it’s not always necessary to wait past a certain weight, it is much more important that the female has a healthy body condition. A year is way more than enough time to put 500 grams on a female and have her perfectly healthy and ready to breed.

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Originally Posted by rufretic

I agree there is no hurry as well I’m just not sure why it’s being said when the OP doesn’t seem to be in a hurry willing to wait almost another full year on a female that’s getting close to being ready. Breeding a healthy 1500g female can give a larger healthier clutch than an overweight 3000g female so it’s not always necessary to wait past a certain weight, it is much more important that the female has a healthy body condition. A year is way more than enough time to put 500 grams on a female and have her perfectly healthy and ready to breed.

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I have just noticed a trend that many people try to fatten them up QUICKLY, and breed as EARLY as possible. I would rather let them gain weight normally and get some maturity and age, instead of rushing it. I am a "tortoise and the hare" thinker in this regard.

I've heard of people breeding females at 1100 grams with no problems at all and still get a few healthy eggs, I'm actually trying to breed one of my females at just over 1100 grams. Of course that's the weight at the start of the breeding season. You usually feed the females heavy when starting out, sometimes 2-3 meals per week until they hit about 22 mm follicle size when they will go off of food (usually but not always). Then they will gain more weight as the follicles mature into eggs. So by the time they are ready to lay I'm sure they are well over 1500 grams.

I'm also breeding a pied female that started at 1500 grams and refused to eat and went on a fast at the start of the breeding season. My 1100 gram female is probably bigger than her now, I doubt my 1500 gram fasting female will go this year. Most people will tell you that 1500 grams and three years of age is the minimum, just one of those things repeated over and over through the years until it becomes a larger than life golden rule LOL.

I'd say your female will be ready as long as she eats regular meals every week or two and is still feeding at the start of your breeding season in September. If she starts fasting you could still pair her up, you may even see a few locks, but I doubt she will lay eggs if she isn't eating good at the start of the season.

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Originally Posted by cchardwick

Most people will tell you that 1500 grams and three years of age is the minimum, just one of those things repeated over and over through the years until it becomes a larger than life golden rule LOL.

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Most breeders will tell you its about the health of your animal first.

Its not just about size. Or weight.

Its also about age, or lets just say "MATURITY".

And just because one "can" do something, doesn't mean one "should".

Technically, some 11 and 12 year old girls could get pregnant and carry babies. Even younger has been reported. But what does it do to their bodies? They usually do not continue to develop the way they should/would have.

Ever seen a cat or female dog that was pregnant at a far to young age? They will not keep developing normally, either. They stay small. Their offspring is usually not quite right. Either to small, or normal sized and causing the female trouble bearing.

I know though, we are talking about snakes, not humans or dogs. However, common sense dictates that its probably just not a good thing being pregnant/gravid, etc, at to young of an age.

Yes, it happens in nature. But in nature, life can be short and hard.

The animals we breed, no matter what kind, are our responsibility. We should always strive to do the best we can, they aren't books or tools. They live. We should care for the breeders, the adults, the retirees as well as the young ones. And profit should never be the first priority. If it is, things usually don't work out well. For long.

One may be able to add 3 or 400 gr in a matter of a few weeks. But where does that weight really go? You will not have a body developing and maturing in a few weeks. All you do is add weight.

Technically I could breed my Pastel Desert Ghost Arjana. She is 1331 gr. But she is also a 2016. I have a male that is around 600 gr. 4 gene visible Desert Ghost. Those 2 together would make valuable hatchlings. But I'm going to wait. I want her over 2 years old BEFORE even beginning to breed, I want the male to continue feeding and growing without the distraction of breeding.

Long story short, what are the AGES of those females ? Aside from their weight ?
If that last one is around 2 years old now, and you give her until September or so AND she will be at least around 1500 gr. she will probably be ready. If she will be just about 2 years old THEN and around 1500 gr. you can still try.

Personally, I prefer to let their body develop and mature, I want TIME and SIZE to be a factor.

Ultimately, though, its up to each individual how and what they do.

I enjoy the "journey", not just the destination. Its not a race.

#1 3
#2 3
#3. 2
Roughly...

I'm in no hurry an willing too wait . I was only asking.

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Originally Posted by robert7107

#1 3
#2 3
#3. 2
Roughly...

I'm in no hurry an willing too wait . I was only asking.

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Age sounds great then, esp. if you want to wait until next year fall to breed Nr. 3.
If she is a decent eater, she will be up to size by then ;)

Good luck !!

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Originally Posted by robert7107

#1 3
#2 3
#3. 2
Roughly...

I'm in no hurry an willing too wait . I was only asking.

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I don’t think anyone was picking on you personally, more just generally how common it is for breeders to rush before maturity.


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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

I don’t think anyone was picking on you personally, more just generally how common it is for breeders to rush before maturity.


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I didn't take it as that..
I'd rather wait till all three females are ready then breed only two...

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Originally Posted by zina10

Age sounds great then, esp. if you want to wait until next year fall to breed Nr. 3.
If she is a decent eater, she will be up to size by then ;)

Good luck !!

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No #3 is my worse feeder... She hasn't eaten the last two times I offered her which is 12 days now... Temp an humidity are dialed in she just goes off feeding now an then ..

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

No #3 is my worse feeder... She hasn't eaten the last two times I offered her which is 12 days now... Temp an humidity are dialed in she just goes off feeding now an then ..

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Well, you know Ball Pythons...LOL.

Does she have plenty of privacy? Hides?

Have you tried a different feeding method? Leaving it at night (if not live)?

Live, in case she was on f/t ? (under supervision)

12 days is not so bad, some are just finicky. Only try once the week, at the most, and leave her be in between.

If all is perfect and she just refuses, she is "one of those"... ;) Just see where she is at around September, but I wouldn't breed until she is at least 1500 gr. You can breed at 1300 gr, I suppose, but that is for females that will continue to eat well. Then there are those that start to eat well while pairing. I would be more comfortable with 1300 gr. if the age was over 2 years and health and everything else is tops. But for me personally, 1500gr + and at least over 2 years old at start of breeding.

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Originally Posted by zina10

Well, you know Ball Pythons...LOL.

Does she have plenty of privacy? Hides?

Have you tried a different feeding method? Leaving it at night (if not live)?

Live, in case she was on f/t ? (under supervision)

12 days is not so bad, some are just finicky. Only try once the week, at the most, and leave her be in between.

If all is perfect and she just refuses, she is "one of those"... ;) Just see where she is at around September, but I wouldn't breed until she is at least 1500 gr. You can breed at 1300 gr, I suppose, but that is for females that will continue to eat well. Then there are those that start to eat well while pairing. I would be more comfortable with 1300 gr. if the age was over 2 years and health and everything else is tops. But for me personally, 1500gr + and at least over 2 years old at start of breeding.

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I'll try later at night.. sometimes that triggers her... She has been a fuzzy eater since day one.. spider Mojave...

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