Would you get a second male?

[rj1204]

I have an 08 (700 gram) male Bumble Bee and I was going to breed him to my 3 pastel females and 3 normal females. I am not in it so much for the money, but I just want to produce some nice morphs to make some trades and buy better equipment, racks, rats, incubators, etc (so I do want the best morphs possible). Would it be a wise decision to buy another male Bumble Bee and run both males through the females or should I be ok running my 1 male through all 6 girls? I just want to make sure they all take and I am able to produce some good offspring. If I don't have to, I would rather not buy another male. Thanks for any advice.

[Freakie_frog]

Having a backup male is something that I am striving to have myself.. Some of our males breed so strong during the first part of the season that by the time breeding season winds down they are pretty burned out..

Having a back up male means that two males can breed several females and you're not risking burning one male out. If you notice one male tiring out then you have the second male pick up the slack.

[snakesRkewl]

One never knows whether your male will do 1, 2, 3 or all 6 till you try.
He may do 6 then again he may do none

My yellow belly male would breed a branch and probably do 10 girls in a season if I let him, lol.

[EmberBall]

If I was you, I would buy a backup male but not another bumblebee. I would make it a double Co Dom though, and probably something without the Pastel gene. Sulfur Mojave, Lemonblast, Cinnabee....etc. What other morphs do you like besides Pastel?

Dave

[rj1204]

I just love the Bumble Bees. Breeding him to a pastel and having the chance of Killer Bees or Super Pastels is something I was really looking forward to. Also, I was hoping to put more funds into caring for the snakes......but, I am the kind of guy that has to have insurance. I would hate to look forward to a descent chance of getting some good morphs and end up with nothing! I really like the Lemonblast but not sure it is in my price range. I guess I will have to start pricing some young males. Thats why I loved the bee, affordable and a good chance of getting good offspring.

Any suggestions? Again, my females are 3 normals and 3 pastels. Thanks!

[JennM]

I'd definitely pick up another male even if its just a nice pastel. Some males aren't strong breeders, some need time to "figure it out", and some are just PICKY! Not saying that you're guy won't be a breeding machine, but better safe than sorry.

Good luck with them next season!

[EmberBall]

A Super Pastel would not be bad, if you really like Pastels.....or a Lesser or Mojave cross.

Dave

[Serpent_Nirvana]

My two males that may end up "sharing" some girls this year are my bumblebee (who has already proven himself as an enthusiastic breeder) and my pewter. Both a bumblebee and a pewter will give you a shot at super pastels if bred to a pastel female, and the pewter gives you a shot at the sterling, which is one of my favorite morphs

A lemonblast would be another good one, and in a similar price range to the above two (eh -- maybe a little more for a good one ) ... Still have a chance for the super pastel, plus killer blasts ..!

[rj1204]

Yeah, I've been researching Spinners and Lemon Blasts. A huge part of me wants that Lemon Blast so bad but then I look at the price again and come down to reality. The breeder I bought the Bee from advised me that an 08 male NOT getting with the girls is very very highly unlikely. So, now I get to think about it for the next couple of months. We have a reptile show in Arlington, TX at the end of July so if I see something for a descent price, I may jump on it. If not, I may just take my chance with my bee. Decisions, decisions.......

[MarkS]

I never buy a second male of the same morph as long as it breeds at all. But I have always held back the first one I produce so I have a backup.