breeding age clarity question

[yeahyeah]

People typically say 2 or 3 years for a female ball. Is that 2 or 3 years of age, or 2 or three winters? For example, a female born in the summer of 06 will be 2.5 years of age this winter but will be experiencing her 3rd winter. Which should we go by? I know the rules are not set in stone and it depends on the animal and so on and so on, but I'm just wondering.

[rabernet]

I go by third winter, so some of my '06's will be breeding this year. I do have two '06's that will be in their third winter, but won't be up to weight, so they won't go this year.

It's not only age, but being able to judge their physical condition.

[bigballs]

if by their second winter they seem physically able to go through the whole process then i may breed em. like you said it all depends on the animal. if i have doubts about it then why not wait until the next year? no rush...

[Argentra]

I prefer to go by physical condition and weight rather than age for any snake. You can have a 5 year old BP female that never ate well or put on much muscle... and you can have a 2 year old that ate like clockwork and is in terrific shape!