Cycling Question

[Reptilius]

Firstly, forgive me if this post is in the wrong category, or has been exhaustively answered.
I just could not get answered in the FAQ's.

When it comes to Cycling for Breeding Purposes:
Does everyone Cycle according to both Temps and Daylight?
Do some only Cycle according to Temps?
Do some only Cycle according to Light?

Lastly, how does one set up a vote on these three questions.

Regards
Roland

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Neither, I breed year round when the animals are ready.

[Reptilius]

YAY, at last. Someone who thinks along the same lines as I do.
Thank You Deborah.

My post originated as a result of a conversation among a group of Ball Python Breeders. The general consensus among them was that if I don't cycle, I will get poor results when it comes to fertility.

Do you perhaps also agree with my following theory. I had a pair show 3 definite locks, way back in December 2017, the female is definitely not showing any signs of being gravid, this led to the cycling conversation, my theory is this. " when she is ready she will start the process leading up to her laying eggs" and that this could even take place up to 6 or 7 months after having locked.

What are your opinions on this theory.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Number of lock will vary from one animal to another (granted you may not witness them all)
So far out of the ovulation I have had some females have had 3 locks and some 6, now keep in mind that sometimes some locks are nothing more than to stimulate the female into follicular development.

When I pair my animals the requirements are simple, ready to breed (proper age/weight/proportions and females that are proven must have regain their weight from the previous season plus more) and ready to pair (receptive and developing follicles already).

That would be that case for most females unless 1st timer.

I wait to pair my females until they already move to the cool side, first timer I will introduce a male to stimulate them prior to reaching that point.

The rest to me is observation and being able to read my animals and pairing at the right time, something you learn with the years.

Am I succefful without cooling? Absolutely just like I am successful without using an ultrasound machine. I don’t mass produce and anything I am set to pair will usually produce.

Now in your particular case, I am not sure of your experience or if the female is proven or a first timer but I will say this what I recommend people who are going through their first season is to give it at lest 6 months , pair when favorable during those 6 months without over doing it and if you see signs that are encouraging keep pairing until you are witnessing an ovulation and remember while 3 locks might stimulate the female and lead to follicle growth pairing when the follicles are the size of a dime to a nickle is really when you want to make sure you get a lock or two in.

[Reptilius]

Now this is what I call valuable interaction. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

A few things to look at:

I have 2 males, both are first timers but both weigh over 800 grams.
Another male in the pipeline.

I have 4 females, one is a first timer, weighing in at 1700+ grams, one female is a second timer and laid eggs in November 2017 - she currently weighs in at 1600 grams, the other two females are both multi timers and laid eggs around October/November 2017 - they both currently weigh over 2500 grams.

I am a first timer at breeding Ball Pythons. I have taken a decision to just feed them all till June this year, and then I will start pairing up.

I am getting a male Champagne Pastel at the end of July and he currently weighs in at 1600 grams.

My planned breeding is as follows;

0.1 Champagne Pastel x 1.0 Butter
0.1 Champagne Pastel x 1.0 Normal

0.1 Pastel Mojave x 0.1 Pastel Enchi
0.1 Pastel Mojave x 1.0 Spider

I have a Butter male left and nothing planned to breed him to, I may however by June/July have sourced an additional female to pair him with.

What are your thoughts on my Breeding Plans, with what I have.