Breeding males to multiple females

[Ben.L]

I'm hoping to start breeding my collection when the females are up to size and was just curious about breeding males to multiple females. I dont want to spread my boys too thinly or overwork them. What is a realistic number of females to put a male to each season?

[Adam Chandler]

I try not to breed my males to more than 4 females in 1 season.

[RichsBallPythons]

males can handle as many females as you want them to. As long as they are eating and dont show signs of exhaustion then theres no problem.

[snakesRkewl]

What Rich said^^^

A schedule that includes plenty of rest and a smaller than normal prey item offered each rest period during breeding season and the males tend to stay on feed, at least mine do

[Ben.L]

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, I figured as much - I'm just paranoid about overworking them and ending up with fewer clutches. Do you guys rotate the male through the various females, or do you stick him with each female for longer?

[mainbutter]

males can handle as many females as you want them to. As long as they are eating and dont show signs of exhaustion then theres no problem.

I've read second-hand reports about males breeding themselves to death.

How much substance is there in such claims?

[RichsBallPythons]

I've read second-hand reports about males breeding themselves to death.

How much substance is there in such claims?

They can and they WILL if you are negligent to the snakes body language. If they are tired in a way when you pick them up after a pairing and are limp, its time to leave them on rest for a while.

Rest and feeding is key to keep them going. When they are not feeding you need to keep an eye out and pull them from any program to be safe. Every season my males do show signs of exhaustion and i give them 2 weeks rest and this helps them recoup and get back into the game.

[SH1FTY]

Great thread! Great info, i was curious about this myself.
Thanks guys!

[Ben.L]

Thanks again for the info!

So, when it comes to pairing them up with females, do you tend to rotate them through each female throughout the season (with the obvious rests in between), or do you keep the male with the same female regularly until you are confident he's done the job before switching?

[RichsBallPythons]

I rotate non stop to every female i plan to breed with that male.