best way to get 08's ready for fall breeding?

[pastorj]

I have a nice pair of 08 het pieds that I was planning on breeding in the fall; they are growing well/eating well, what is the best feeding schedule, and what is a reasonable weight before putting them together?

[WingedWolfPsion]

'08 males should be good to go, if they've been eating once a week.

I try feeding my '08 girls every 5 days, but I also know that 800 to 1200 gram girls can go off feed for the winter, and my girls have been picky right on schedule. Hopefully they'll be back on feed and taking off this summer.

Now, keep in mind that not all '08s are going to make it for fall breeding--really, 3 years old is MUCH more typical for first time breeding for females. To be safe, you want them 1500 grams before you start pairing, and you want them to stay on feed at least partway into the breeding season. I pull girls who are only 1500 at the start, and go off feed before December. Don't breed them if they don't make 1500 grams...it's not worth it for the measly small clutch you MIGHT get (which will probably result in a measly small clutch the following year, and the one after that...when you could have had big clutches if you had waited).