What is the youngest you'd breed a female ball?

[Emilio]

Two years here but this is my second breeding season, if I see that a female is a nice weight I'll try her early.

[CoolioTiffany]

I think waiting at least two years would be ideal. It's a lot safer, and by then your female may be over 1500 grams (the weight that is recommended to breed a female at) which bigger female= more eggs.

[T&C Exotics]

What makes you think that feeding any more or less than once a week will cause a snake to have a bad life and die any sooner than a snake that has a different feeding schedule? I'm sure you're just playing it safe, but what makes you think that a snake that gorges for a few months, then fasts every year, or a snake that eats a larger meal every 10-14 days would have a worse and shorter life? I'm just curious, because I see people say this a lot, but as far as I know, it's all speculation, making it just as likely that a snake that gorges itself, then fasts will end up living longer.

I just stated an opinion and in my opinion over feeding a snake is just like over feeding any other animal. Just how my mind works ya know. I prefer my females to be fed once a week and only a proper sized food item. I know plenty of people who power feed and do great and I also know people who feed every other week and do great. I just prefer my way over anything else it's what works best for me. Nothing scientific about it just how I feel. Plus I have read way to many times that power feeding can cause premature death and I would rather avoid that. No matter how many snakes I ever have they will be pets first and that is how I treat them. To me my pets are family. Well enough babble from me,

[mechnut450]

i go with a (planned breeding) of a minuim of 1500grams and at least 2 years. whichmeans that my het pied girl is ready she was 2 years this month and is pushing the 1500 grams but i am planning on waiting until fall to get those few extra ggrams on her ..

[Dr_Gonz0]

When it comes to breeding my females, i am going by at least their 3rd winter and 1800 grams. I'd rather wait an extra season, than stunt their growth by breeding them before they are fully grown. I think maturity is just as important as a good size.

Robin
H2 Exotics

[Jay_Bunny]

I wait until they are at least 2 years old and 1500g. For example. I have an 07 female that is around 950g. I hope to breed her this year if she gets to 1500g. I have another 07 that is a later 07. She's only around 500g (picky eater and has just started eating every week a few months ago) and will not be bred this year even though she is only a few months younger than my other female.

[joshn6805]

Two years and at least 1500g's, although I would like to do it when there larger for the bigger clutches.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I just stated an opinion and in my opinion over feeding a snake is just like over feeding any other animal. Just how my mind works ya know. I prefer my females to be fed once a week and only a proper sized food item. I know plenty of people who power feed and do great and I also know people who feed every other week and do great. I just prefer my way over anything else it's what works best for me. Nothing scientific about it just how I feel. Plus I have read way to many times that power feeding can cause premature death and I would rather avoid that. No matter how many snakes I ever have they will be pets first and that is how I treat them. To me my pets are family. Well enough babble from me,

Power-feeding refers to introducing more food to a snake that is swallowing a meal, to trick it into taking more food than it intended to. Power-feeding can cause 'pin-head syndrome', where the snake's body is disproportionally huge, and its head is too small for it. Feeding on a 5 day schedule, particularly for the first year, doesn't cause any abnormal growth. The snakes develop proportionally and thrive. Ball pythons are very good at refusing food if they've had too much, lol.

[euphuistical]

Power-feeding refers to introducing more food to a snake that is swallowing a meal, to trick it into taking more food than it intended to. Power-feeding can cause 'pin-head syndrome', where the snake's body is disproportionally huge, and its head is too small for it. Feeding on a 5 day schedule, particularly for the first year, doesn't cause any abnormal growth. The snakes develop proportionally and thrive. Ball pythons are very good at refusing food if they've had too much, lol.

I concur, "power feeding" when referring to stuffing more food down a snakes mouth just to add extra weight seems wrong and bad for the snake. But with my snakes I offer food every 3 days or so (I usually feed ASFs, so some of my bigger girls eat a lot of them) and sometimes multiple items and if they eat it great, if they don't I just wait a few days to a week then try again.

To be blunt these are wild animals, and they aren't very smart (but at least smarter than gold fish who will eat too much and cause their stomach to burst heh). If they are hungry they are going to eat, if not they aren't going to (or something in their environment is causing stress, but I think I made myself clear). As long as everything seems ok with them continue with how you want to feed them. I don't really think theres been any rigorous scientific studies done on how often to feed ball pythons at different ages / weights.

[Crazy4Herps]

I don't really think theres been any rigorous scientific studies done on how often to feed ball pythons at different ages / weights.

You are right; we don't "know" anything for sure. Our feeding schedules are all based on what has worked for us and what has worked for others.

I do believe that snakes can become obese. At what point they are considered obese is an opinion.

Personally, I keep both my adult and hatchling snakes on a diet of one appropriately sized rodent every 7-10 days. Thus far, they are all in perfect health. As growing them slowly has worked well for me, I will continue to do it, but I have no prejudice against people who grow their snakes more quickly; if it keeps the snakes healthy and it works for you, that's great.