More 1st timer questions

[AdamF]

So I have paired my male with my female (bot 100% het albino) for the second time (14 days since the first), and they locked within 6 hours, and have been that way for 6 hours.
a) How long do I leave them?
b) How many times do they usually lock before one can expect an ovy?

I tried palpating, but couldn't really tell anything

c) Does female allow a lock without follicles?

[joebad976]

a) How long do I leave them? I leave mine in for 3 days whether they lock or not
b) How many times do they usually lock before one can expect an ovy? Unknown last year my ovy's ranged 2-6 months from first lock. Also locking does not always mean you will get eggs.

c) Does female allow a lock without follicles? Yes

[Mike41793]

So I have paired my male with my female (bot 100% het albino) for the second time (14 days since the first), and they locked within 6 hours, and have been that way for 6 hours.
a) How long do I leave them?
b) How many times do they usually lock before one can expect an ovy?

I tried palpating, but couldn't really tell anything

c) Does female allow a lock without follicles?

I dont have experience so Im not 100% sure about these answers but:
a) You leave them until they unlock. Seperating them can be harmful
b) Im pretty sure when she is ovulating is the best time for her to be with the male so she gets pregnant. I didnt think a lock was necesary for her to ovulate...
c) follicles can help get the male interested in breeding. generally i think its more the male has to be interested in breeding, not so much the female...

[bones93]

I leave mine in for 3 days at a time. If a pair has locked several times I might take the male out after they unlock even if he has only been in for a day....

I had a male lock a female on time this season and they went on to ovulate a month later. I only seen one lock between this pair. Every other time I put him in the male was laying far away from the female. It all depends on what stage your females follicular development is at. If she has small follicles it will be longer before she goes on to ovulate if she does.

Males will lock with females even if they are not currently developing.

Good luck hitting some albinos this season!

[aalomon]

Close, but not quite.

I dont have experience so Im not 100% sure about these answers but:

a) You leave them until they unlock. Seperating them can be harmful

3 days in / 3 days out is a good schedule, whether they lock or not. Even if they arent locking, the male still needs a break. Definitely do not separate them when they are locked. You can damage your male and possibly the female by actively pulling them apart.

b) Im pretty sure when she is ovulating is the best time for her to be with the male so she gets pregnant. I didnt think a lock was necesary for her to ovulate...

If you want fertile eggs, you need to have her locking with a male before ovulation. Ovulation is when the eggs are fertilized, but they will not lock with a male while they are ovulating. After ovulating you dont need to keep putting the male in.

As for how long between locks and ovy, there is no set time. This year I put a male in with one of my girls on 1/1 for the first time this season and she ovulated 2/29. I have another girl who Ive been pairing since November and its looking like shes not going to go at all. You just have to keep pairing, cross your fingers and wait for the signs.

c) follicles can help get the male interested in breeding. generally i think its more the male has to be interested in breeding, not so much the female...

Yes, the male has to be interested, but with my mine the male usually isnt the problem. Most of my males would lock with a stuffed animal if they had access to one (guess its the same with males of all species ) however, if your female isnt receptive they wont get too far. Also, you normally start pairing before the females develop follicles. Often they will lock, follicles or not.