Breeding BP's while hunger striking?

[icygirl]

My 1400g female has been on a hunger strike for around 2 months now. I'm not in any hurry to breed her - I know she is still a bit on the small side - but I was wondering if it's bad to try and pair them while they are on random hunger strikes. She's lost about 50 grams over those 2 months, which doesn't seem like too much, but I don't really know... she still looks like she is a healthy weight. Normally I'd think to bulk up females before having them produce eggs, but from reading threads lately it seems like some females will stop eating because it IS breeding season.

I'll probably wait until next season with her anyhow, but I was curious as to everyone's opinion on this.

[briz]

Breeding season saves me so much money on rodents. Most females will not eat when they are looking to breed. They feed heavy in the months leading up to it and then go off food. So next year when she comes leaping out thinking it's time to eat, feed her because it is getting close to breeding time.

[icygirl]

So it's okay to breed them after they haven't eaten for 2+ months? Breeders, is this a regular thing that you do?

I guess it just makes me uncomfortable thinking about a snake, who hasn't eaten for so long, to be producing eggs... I know how taxing it is on the mom.

[Wh00h0069]

What size enclosure do you have her in? I have a female that did not eat for six months. I moved her from a 41 quart into a 32 quart last week, and she ate within two days after the move.

[icygirl]

What size enclosure do you have her in? I have a female that did not eat for six months. I moved her from a 41 quart into a 32 quart last week, and she ate within two days after the move.

She is in a 32 quart RBI rack. I have been checking her temps... surface temp is perfect around 90 on the hot side, ambient is a little lower (80's on hot side) but I can't seem to get around that. I emailed Rich and he suggested putting a fan in the room to help even out temps and humidity, which I will try today. Still though, she has eaten in that tub before.

[briz]

So it's okay to breed them after they haven't eaten for 2+ months? Breeders, is this a regular thing that you do?

I guess it just makes me uncomfortable thinking about a snake, who hasn't eaten for so long, to be producing eggs... I know how taxing it is on the mom.

That's how it's done. Some of mine go as long as 6 months without food during breeding season. Mine are usually back on food with in 2 weeks of laying their eggs.