Once a female locks

[rufretic]

I have quite a few females that have locked already. I’ve only had one clutch previously and it was the only female I tried breeding. What I’m wondering is, once a female locks, do they usually give you a clutch? I know that some females will lay slugs or not at all if they are too young or too thin but in general, if your females are in good shape, is it pretty typical that once they Lock they are going to give you a clutch? I’m just trying to figure how many clutches to expect.

[Hannahshissyfix]

I have quite a few females that have locked already. I’ve only had one clutch previously and it was the only female I tried breeding. What I’m wondering is, once a female locks, do they usually give you a clutch? I know that some females will lay slugs or not at all if they are too young or too thin but in general, if your females are in good shape, is it pretty typical that once they Lock they are going to give you a clutch? I’m just trying to figure how many clutches to expect.

Locks aren't an indicator at all as far as I'm concerned with the process, especially if it's the females first year potentially laying. You just have to watch her and pay attention to her follicle growth, staying on and off food, and all of the other signs that she's building towards ovulation.

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[cchardwick]

Ideally you want one lock per month until they ovulate. If you monitor follicle size you want a lock at 12 mm, 22 mm, 32 mm, and one optional lock at 42 mm right before they ovulate.

[rufretic]

I do the one lock every month method, that’s what I used last year with my first attempt breeding and it worked well so that’s what I’m using this year, just with a lot more females. My question is not how to breed them but more along the lines of how consistent your females are with giving you clutches if they are receptive and locking? Should I expect every female I’m breeding to give me a clutch or are there typically a few that just don’t go even though they are locking?

[JodanOrNoDan]

I do the one lock every month method, that’s what I used last year with my first attempt breeding and it worked well so that’s what I’m using this year, just with a lot more females. My question is not how to breed them but more along the lines of how consistent your females are with giving you clutches if they are receptive and locking? Should I expect every female I’m breeding to give me a clutch or are there typically a few that just don’t go even though they are locking?

My success rate I would guess is around 80%. I have a couple girls that just don't want to go even after weekly locks. I know the males are good.

[rufretic]

My success rate I would guess is around 80%. I have a couple girls that just don't want to go even after weekly locks. I know the males are good.

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for, thank you.