I haven't done any breeding yet, but I've read up on it tons, so I hope you don't mind regurged info. I was expecting this season to be my first breeding season, but real life got in the way, and some things are just more important so it got back burnered.

What I have heard from most people is to put the male in with the female for up to 3 days, but if he locks early, you can take him out as soon as they unlock. Then give him 3 days off, try to feed him during that time, and then put him back with a female, which can be either the same one or a different one. Keep up the 3 days on, 3 days off cycle, but watch your male for signs of overbreeding.

Keep at it until you have seen an ovulation. If you are sure a female has ovulated, you can stop putting the male in with her, but as a first time breeder, you might not be sure, and apparently there is no harm in putting the male in with her after ovulation, they just won't lock.

Welcome to the site and good luck!