how can you tell

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12-13-2006, 12:09 AM
toe_knee

how can you tell

when the female is developing follicles???
12-13-2006, 12:14 AM
SatanicIntention

Re: how can you tell

She's crabby and demands chocolate.

Other than that, I really don't know signs. I recently watched one of mine get palpated for follicles(she had about 15 or so). You can also ultrasound them and see what size the follicles are at(optimum breeding time).
12-13-2006, 12:14 AM
Uncle Festae

Re: how can you tell

Feel them....
12-13-2006, 12:21 AM
joepythons

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

Feel them....

My fingers must have no feelings left in them then as i have never felt eggs nor follicles :P .I wait until i discover the female wrapped around some eggs :8:
12-13-2006, 12:32 AM
Uncle Festae

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by joepythons

My fingers must have no feelings left in them then as i have never felt eggs nor follicles :P .I wait until i discover the female wrapped around some eggs :8:

I guess that works too LOL :) They are easy to feel though if you want to. Im a freak like that, I want to know exactly whats going on at all times, I dont like surprises......Unless of course its an odds-smashing clutch, kind of surprise :D those will always be welcome here
12-13-2006, 12:47 AM
dr del

Re: how can you tell

"She's crabby and demands chocolate."

rotfwl

:8:

dr del
12-13-2006, 10:01 AM
Rapture

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by joepythons

My fingers must have no feelings left in them then as i have never felt eggs nor follicles :P .I wait until i discover the female wrapped around some eggs :8:

I could definately tell when my female was gravid last year and when the eggs started moving closer to the end of her tail... looked like she was going to burst. She was a small girl though.
12-13-2006, 12:36 PM
Adam_Wysocki

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

They are easy to feel though if you want to. Im a freak like that, I want to know exactly whats going on at all times, I dont like surprises.

ROCK ON Brother! The ability to successfully and reliably palpate female ball pythons is the single most beneficial skill a breeder can (and in my opinion must) develop in order to breed with maximum efficiency. Fully developed follicles are extremely easy to feel ... they are like extra large marbles inside of your female ... and an indicator that ovulation is right around the corner.

Smaller peas sized follicles let you know that your female is receptive to the males breedings and ready to eventually lay eggs, but needs more time with the male to get r done.

Tracking the development of the follicles over the course of your breeding season helps you keep track of who is going to go, who needs some extra helps, and when you can rest your males to avoid burning them out.

For the average hobbyist breeder, it's not as important ... for small collections and people just breeding for fun, it's exciting to just be surprised by finding a clutch of eggs one day ... but for people breeding as an investment, it makes the difference between skillfully being "in tune" with your animals and just "praying" that you'll "get lucky".

Palpate, palpate, palpate!!!

-adam
12-13-2006, 01:26 PM
recycling goddess

Re: how can you tell

wow, thanks adam!!!
12-13-2006, 01:31 PM
JASBALLS

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

ROCK ON Brother! The ability to successfully and reliably palpate female ball pythons is the single most beneficial skill a breeder can (and in my opinion must) develop in order to breed with maximum efficiency. Fully developed follicles are extremely easy to feel ... they are like extra large marbles inside of your female ... and an indicator that ovulation is right around the corner.

Smaller peas sized follicles let you know that your female is receptive to the males breedings and ready to eventually lay eggs, but needs more time with the male to get r done.

Tracking the development of the follicles over the course of your breeding season helps you keep track of who is going to go, who needs some extra helps, and when you can rest your males to avoid burning them out.

For the average hobbyist breeder, it's not as important ... for small collections and people just breeding for fun, it's exciting to just be surprised by finding a clutch of eggs one day ... but for people breeding as an investment, it makes the difference between skillfully being "in tune" with your animals and just "praying" that you'll "get lucky".

Palpate, palpate, palpate!!!

-adam

And once you get good at it you can tell if there are any slugs! I did that last year..
12-13-2006, 01:56 PM
Adam_Wysocki

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASBALLS

And once you get good at it you can tell if there are any slugs! I did that last year..

Absolutely! ;)

-adam
12-13-2006, 02:27 PM
frankykeno

Re: how can you tell

Is there any possible way guys to explain how to palpate? As in exactly how to do it (hand position, etc.). I get what I'm supposed to feel for just not how to do this (is it a grip sort of thing or gently pushing down on the belly or what). With Kyna, Brannagh and Orlah all ready to go this season I'd really like to know how to practise this palpation thing and unfortunately I can't afford a plane ticket to Maryland. :(
Also the progression of ovulation. If I get this right you feel for these small pea sized lumps in the female...that's the beginning of follicle development...marble sized ones are definite follicles and she's going to ovulate soon. Now my understanding is they don't ovulate until they've been bred so you are putting the male in before you can feel this stuff right? Then continuing to cycle him through the adult females until you have the definite big marble follicles going on? Is this anything close to right (please gawd let it be close...I'm developing some sort of breeding season anxiety here!)

We have one male and three adult females...so if he spends 3 days with one...then 3 days off by himself...then 3 days with the next...then 3 days off...and so forth...is this the correct schedule that's both healthy for the male and will work with this whole follicle development/ovulation thing?

(Adam would you consider coming to live in my house until I have three gravid females please...I'll buy beer....I'll buy pizza....cookies....Jack Daniels....anything....I learned how to pop and probe but palpation...ackkk)
12-13-2006, 02:31 PM
JASBALLS

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Is there any possible way guys to explain how to palpate? As in exactly how to do it (hand position, etc.). I get what I'm supposed to feel for just not how to do this (is it a grip sort of thing or gently pushing down on the belly or what). With Kyna, Brannagh and Orlah all ready to go this season I'd really like to know how to practise this palpation thing and unfortunately I can't afford a plane ticket to Maryland. :(
Also the progression of ovulation. If I get this right you feel for these small pea sized lumps in the female...that's the beginning of follicle development...marble sized ones are definite follicles and she's going to ovulate soon. Now my understanding is they don't ovulate until they've been bred so you are putting the male in before you can feel this stuff right? Then continuing to cycle him through the adult females until you have the definite big marble follicles going on? Is this anything close to right (please gawd let it be close...I'm developing some sort of breeding season anxiety here!)

We have one male and three adult females...so if he spends 3 days with one...then 3 days off by himself...then 3 days with the next...then 3 days off...and so forth...is this the correct schedule that's both healthy for the male and will work with this whole follicle development/ovulation thing?

(Adam would you consider coming to live in my house until I have three gravid females please...I'll buy beer....I'll buy pizza....cookies....Jack Daniels....anything....I learned how to pop and probe but palpation...ackkk)

http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/ma.../palpating.asp

This is how I learned.. Good luck
12-13-2006, 02:45 PM
Uncle Festae

Re: how can you tell

Thats how I learned too Jas, I didnt know if it was cool to post the link though. I spent many many hours practicing that technique, I think its best to learn this on a girl who is not producing follicles so that you get a good feel for what they feel like in there empty, so that when they are producing them, you wont miss it. Ralph gives the best description of what you will feel that I've seen yet...... ".a snake full of follicles will feel exactly like you ran your finger across Wilma Flintstone's pearl necklace"..... I think I should also add that alot of my girls dont like this, and is still the only time some of them have bit or struck, buts that all part of the fun, keeps you on your toes :D
12-13-2006, 03:17 PM
frankykeno

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASBALLS

http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/ma.../palpating.asp

This is how I learned.. Good luck

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't believe I've never found this link before! Okay ladies line the heck up...it's palpitating practise time! LOL

(you can still come live here Adam if you want....let me just shove some Leggo's off the couch and run to the store for some Jack and hot wings!!! :D )
12-13-2006, 03:30 PM
Uncle Festae

Re: how can you tell

Oh god...Jack and hot wings:( ...the mere thought makes me cringe and not want to go to the bathroom for a week LMAO
12-13-2006, 06:06 PM
toe_knee

Re: how can you tell

thanks guys i recently got my breeder girl in. i am going to go give it a try.
12-13-2006, 06:23 PM
kavmon

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Is there any possible way guys to explain how to palpate? As in exactly how to do it (hand position, etc.). I get what I'm supposed to feel for just not how to do this (is it a grip sort of thing or gently pushing down on the belly or what). With Kyna, Brannagh and Orlah all ready to go this season I'd really like to know how to practise this palpation thing and unfortunately I can't afford a plane ticket to Maryland. :(
Also the progression of ovulation. If I get this right you feel for these small pea sized lumps in the female...that's the beginning of follicle development...marble sized ones are definite follicles and she's going to ovulate soon. Now my understanding is they don't ovulate until they've been bred so you are putting the male in before you can feel this stuff right? Then continuing to cycle him through the adult females until you have the definite big marble follicles going on? Is this anything close to right (please gawd let it be close...I'm developing some sort of breeding season anxiety here!)

We have one male and three adult females...so if he spends 3 days with one...then 3 days off by himself...then 3 days with the next...then 3 days off...and so forth...is this the correct schedule that's both healthy for the male and will work with this whole follicle development/ovulation thing?

(Adam would you consider coming to live in my house until I have three gravid females please...I'll buy beer....I'll buy pizza....cookies....Jack Daniels....anything....I learned how to pop and probe but palpation...ackkk)

hey jo, i'm lucky enough to make it up to the wysocki camp and learn hands on. there are truly some things you can't put a price on or buy. hands on training,trustworthy advice and years of expierence to name a few.

vaughn
12-16-2006, 08:01 PM
JASBALLS

Re: how can you tell

Quote:

Originally Posted by kavmon

hey jo, i'm lucky enough to make it up to the wysocki camp and learn hands on. there are truly some things you can't put a price on or buy. hands on training,trustworthy advice and years of expierence to name a few.

vaughn

Pm's work as well LOL! Thanks Adam, For all the advice you have given me!!!

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how can you tell