Do you cool your breeders?

[cinderbird]

So, i've been listening to a ton of reptile radio at work lately and the topic of breeding always comes up and some breeders seem to cool and some dont. I was wondering what everyone else does in the form of a poll. I plan to start breeding next year and would like to see what works for others so I can make an educated decision for myself.

Feel free to comment on what your approach is to things. The poll style will allow for the selection of multiple answers if you've done different things that have worked for you.

[Bruce Whitehead]

So, i've been listening to a ton of reptile radio at work lately and the topic of breeding always comes up and some breeders seem to cool and some dont. I was wondering what everyone else does in the form of a poll. I plan to start breeding next year and would like to see what works for others so I can make an educated decision for myself.

Feel free to comment on what your approach is to things. The poll style will allow for the selection of multiple answers if you've done different things that have worked for you.

I would not call it cooling per se, but I drop my hot temps about 4 degrees for a month or so, and knock it back up in Feb... the sexy happens and the eggs happen. So I just stick with it.

[Lucas339]

im glad this thread popped up. i was thinking about this recently. im anxious to see everyones results.

I would not call it cooling per se, but I drop my hot temps about 4 degrees for a month or so, and knock it back up in Feb... the sexy happens and the eggs happen. So I just stick with it.

Bruce, nice to see you around! i was planning on trying this method this year but was worried about results.

[MarkS]

I haven't cooled any of my animals for the last couple of years and have had successful clutches, however I've also had less then half of my females ovulate. I'm thinking of going back to cooling them for a few months this year to see if I get better results.

[vinnimac]

I don't lower temps (on purpose) as of yet; not quite that organised yet; but am just really getting started in the breeding part of all this. I put a couple pairs together last year, and got nothing. I put a couple pairs together this year, and found follicles in one girl already. Haven't adopted the regimen yet myself, but Adam W. over at 8ballpythons has a very nice breeding calender with when and how much he changes temps. I will be doing this more as a hobby than business, so if I get clutches, great; if I don't, try again next year.

[NorthernRegius]

For BPs IMHO light cycle & atmospheric pressure changes have more impact on breeding behavior than temp drops. My '08 year was 100% bred/clutch result, '09 was 80% (with a few new ones in the mix). They have constant temps, perhaps a slight night drop in the room of 2-3 F happens naturally, but the day-length is more significant. Also when fronts pass through the area, it's does seem to stimulate breeding.

[JeffFlanagan]

My first year, I dropped temps at night and had great success breeding, but did have a valuable snake get an R.I.

This recent season, I didn't cool and got more slugs than eggs.

I'm going back to cooling this this coming season.

[cinderbird]

I haven't cooled any of my animals for the last couple of years and have had successful clutches, however I've also had less then half of my females ovulate. I'm thinking of going back to cooling them for a few months this year to see if I get better results.

do you think you could end up posting your results for this year in comparison to last year for your girls?

[MarkS]

do you think you could end up posting your results for this year in comparison to last year for your girls?

I'm not the greatest record keeper in the world, but I'll give it a try.

[mooingtricycle]

i dont cool. My room just gets colder, but temps in the tubs, besides the cool side, never change.

I just tossed em together when i figured it was about time.