The back story:
So I bought/rescued/took in a male and female normal back in December. They were being housed together in a 55 gal in a basement with no heat. The previous owner said that a few years ago the female had laid eggs, but the eggs died as the owners were unprepared to properly care for them.
By some miracle of god I managed to avoid a RI and they're both doing good. They were a bit skinny but *knock on wood* haven't missed more than 1 meal since I got them.
Now I'm pretty sure that the female is building. I had no plans to breed her this season as she's had quite a life change, needed to put some weight on, and didn't come out of quarantine until last month. Of course she is now being housed separately, but she was with this male normal for years up until I took them in. She's been bowl wrapping and laying inverted. She's also not attacking her food each week with the voraciousness I've witnessed in the past few months. It's almost like I have to talk her into taking the rat. She's weighing in at about 1650g and still looks like she could use a bit of weight on her. I've not noticed her glowing at all. I suck at palpating so I haven't tried it and have no idea of her possible follicle growth.
So now we arrive at the question. I want to disclaimer this with I'm fully prepared to house and/or rehome whatever offspring are produced. Do I leave her be and hope she doesn't go this year but with the knowledge that if she does go it'll be a clutch full of normals? Or do I throw my mojave or lesser male with her (as I'd planned to do next year) and hope that his swimmers, being fresher and newer, win out, giving me a chance at more mojaves/lessers (along with, of course, some normals)? Both males are in the 700 gram range and are strong eaters. Do I leave her be until I notice her glowing (a more sure sign that she's going to go this year) and then throw either the mojave or lesser male with her?
Thoughts? Feelings? Opinions?