I decide a female is ready to breed based on...

...poll says it all.

I always thought weight was a bigger factor. That's for me anyhow.

DANG i put that in the wrong forum lol...

here's a picture of a big female to make up for it (until they move it lol)

Sorry!!

This is Hope. I picked her up in Chantilly. She's 2400g and has an arranged marriage to my fireball once Q-time is up:

http://www.iherp.com/Gallery/89922/1...qyR8JcDS2i.jpg

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Originally Posted by Soterios

What poll?

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^^ that one ^^ (you changed what you said :P)

I think there are more factors, but weight is a big one. My other big factor is temper of the snake.

What about based on follicle development? :)

This is a tough one. For me personally it's

Age > Follicle Development > Weight

I like my girls to be as healthy and well sized as possible so that first clutch is a good one and sets the tone for the next few years for her.

BUT if she's old enough and developing follices but under 1500g I'd attempt to breed her.

I think breeding a female too young and too light can hinder their egg production for the first few years of laying and potentially longer.

Hope that helps :)

both

no option for that.

There should be a third choice ;)

I breed based on both

Hi,

Moved to the breeding forum for ya and added the "both" option to quell the rebels. :P


dr del

Argh. I want to vote both!

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Originally Posted by Melicious

Argh. I want to vote both!

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Errrrr.... You can?

I just checked and everything. :confused:


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Errrrr.... You can?

I just checked and everything. :confused:


dr del

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I already voted.

Ah sorry,

That makes sense - put it down to senility and sleepiness on my part. :bow:


dr del

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Originally Posted by Deborah

There should be a third choice ;)

I breed based on both

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Originally Posted by dr del

...added the "both" option to quell the rebels.

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She does this just to be difficult. :P :rofl:

i voted both :)

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

She does this just to be difficult. :P :rofl:

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She does? I thought she was a sweet angel? :halohorn:

I voted both. Because I have 07's that are 1200 grams and I have 06's that are 800 so age plays an equale part in what I'm comfortable breeding as much as weight.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

I voted both. Because I have 07's that are 1200 grams and I have 06's that are 800 so age plays an equale part in what I'm comfortable breeding as much as weight.

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so you will be breeding the 800 gram 06? (just curious) Thank you

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Originally Posted by Morphie

so you will be breeding the 800 gram 06? (just curious) Thank you

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No. She has the age but I don't think at her current size it is worth putting her body through the stress. Now if she get to me three or four and is only 1000-1100 grams then yea she'll get bred.

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

She does this just to be difficult. :P :rofl:

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Who me? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

She does? I thought she was a sweet angel? :halohorn:

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I sense some sarcasm here just remember what you said about not getting on my bad side :evileye: (you know what I am capable of, ask Christie)

Temperament, Age, follicle development (yes, I can feel them) size/weight.

I don't have any "snappy" adult animals but if I did..that means that they do not have a good personality, and they definitely would not be in my breeding pool (I am the same way with my rats).

Age is a definite factor then follicle development..because they usually develop the follicles when their body is getting ready to breed (changing to adults) I haven't seen/experienced follicle development in any animals under 1year old..finally, I decide if she has enough weight to be able to handle it without losing a lot.

So basically both, but it's actually more complicated than that.

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Originally Posted by Morphie

...poll says it all.

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agreed

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Originally Posted by broadude

Temperament, Age, follicle development (yes, I can feel them) size/weight.

I don't have any "snappy" adult animals but if I did..that means that they do not have a good personality, and they definitely would not be in my breeding pool (I am the same way with my rats).

Age is a definite factor then follicle development..because they usually develop the follicles when their body is getting ready to breed (changing to adults) I haven't seen/experienced follicle development in any animals under 1year old..finally, I decide if she has enough weight to be able to handle it without losing a lot.

So basically both, but it's actually more complicated than that.

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Sorry if this is an obvious question but how does one check for follicles?

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Originally Posted by icygirl

Sorry if this is an obvious question but how does one check for follicles?

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There's a website that explains it in detail. I think Ralph has a very good one. http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/ma.../palpating.asp

Check it out. It took me a while to get the hang of it.

I am still a little confused on the follicles. I understand how to feel for them, but Ralph was talking about doing it on females that had been bred. Does it work the same way for virgins, or do you have to try breeding her first and then check for follicle development to see if she took?

On Friday I'm getting a 1100+ gram mid-2007 hatch female and was hoping to breed her next November or December, but I want to make absolutely sure that she is ready for the strain of egg-production. I'd rather wait another year than risk her health.

v

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Originally Posted by Vacado

I am still a little confused on the follicles. I understand how to feel for them, but Ralph was talking about doing it on females that had been bred. Does it work the same way for virgins, or do you have to try breeding her first and then check for follicle development to see if she took?

On Friday I'm getting a 1100+ gram mid-2007 hatch female and was hoping to breed her next November or December, but I want to make absolutely sure that she is ready for the strain of egg-production. I'd rather wait another year than risk her health.

v

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Yes, some of my girls are virgins and this is their first season. I can feel follicles.

I would definately agree witht he consensus on both. Reason being....they may have the weight.....and may be sexually mature enough....but in the long run....will she know how to bounce back following the egg lay....and will she breed the following year.

I must add.....if she is only a year old and 1300grams.....she is probably going to be a little on the fat side. Weight is one thing...but you also want some length. I have a fat snake right now....and I am not breeding her because she is on the fat side....even though her weight agrees. It all comes down to what is healthiest for your female....not your wallet....not your collection.

Im on the fence weather to try my female 100% het albino female,she was hatched aug. 07 & she is as of now 1230g ,But mainly its left to my 650g male albino if he's going to lock or not.I got his little but in with my 3600g female right now but I don't think he likes BIG girls;).

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Originally Posted by greghall

Im on the fence weather to try my female 100% het albino female,she was hatched aug. 07 & she is as of now 1230g ,But mainly its left to my 650g male albino if he's going to lock or not.I got his little but in with my 3600g female right now but I don't think he likes BIG girls;).

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Can u Post Pics of ur 3600g female? I really like big females.....

Neither, when a female is ready to breed she will. An undersized snake will not breed just because she's underweight. When she is ready she will let you know by breeding, I agree with not bredding anything under 1400g but even some 1400g females will just refuse to breed if they are not ready they just won't. Stress and habitat is also a factor not just age and weight alot of things come into play.

I can't vote as I do not breed, yet. I would like to some day. My little girl is a vey late '07 (december) and is 752g I made a graph of her wieght, and length growth and she seems to be growing well, she was 85g when I got her so,
This comming fall/winter she will be close to 1,500g (if she keeps growing as she has) but she would only be 2 years old.
I would have to say I personaly would wait one more year if I was going to breed her.
I also belive you should never breed any animal that is too fat/skinny.

But I do want to thank all those who do breed for helping inform all us noobs in the ball python world.