How young is to young?

[RichsBallPythons]

ive heard of some people breeding within that calendar year (he got a 2011 up to size by november) and shes breeding just fine.. hes done this in the past and has worked out fine... i wouldnt do it personally but it has been done

Nothing wrong with it, if you know how to read the snakes behavior. Ive had few males father clutches before 6months of age. Done right, no harm done

[WingedWolfPsion]

I personally won't breed a female who's under 1500 grams, or less than 2 years old.

I understand some few females stay smaller than that, but in my opinion, they aren't really suitable breeding stock if they never get larger than 1500 grams.

[RichsBallPythons]

I personally won't breed a female who's under 1500 grams, or less than 2 years old.

I understand some few females stay smaller than that, but in my opinion, they aren't really suitable breeding stock if they never get larger than 1500 grams.

And with that thinking, we wouldnt be as far along with the genetics we are now if everyone wouldnt breed a female that stayed small.

[Kylegep]

I'm breeding my 14 month old cinnapin. She's about 1540 grams.

[The Serpent Merchant]

And with that thinking, we wouldnt be as far along with the genetics we are now if everyone wouldnt breed a female that stayed small.

I agree there shouldn't be a rule, just guidelines. There are times when I think that we take all of this far too seriously. In nature they don't have optimal conditions. That's not to say that we shouldn't strive for the best we can provide for our snakes but we can lighten up a bit.

[jjmitchell]

Talking about size versus age... I put my late female spider to a pastel male last year and she laid 8 eggs and all babies hatched big healthy babies.... She was 1600g going in, she ate the day after she laid is now over 2 kilos and is going in with a male mystic..... So She bred at a year old she is a big girl. I just wanted to chime in with this because so many people ridiculed me for breeding a female this young

[SlitherinSisters]

Third winter for me. It gives them plenty of time to fatten up. You could try a younger girl if she was up to weight, but I wouldn't hold your breath for anything.

[WingedWolfPsion]

And with that thinking, we wouldnt be as far along with the genetics we are now if everyone wouldnt breed a female that stayed small.

I'm not sure why you think so. Personally, I've never seen a 4 year old female ball that was healthy, and under 1500 grams in October
. They must be relatively rare. Why perpetuate small size as a trait in our breeding programs? People are not interested in a female that lays 4 egg clutches.
They are interested in the giant locality balls that lay 15 egg clutches, and reach 6 feet.

I'm sure it would hurt to choose not to breed an expensive combo-morph female that didn't reach adequate size, though. I would say, if you absolutely have to breed a girl like that, breed her to the biggest male you can find. Keep the best robust, fast-growing baby from her that has the traits you wanted, and then retire her.

I wouldn't do it, though. I just think a snake like that isn't carrying genes I would want to propagate. There might even be something else wrong with it, some hidden medical issue that is stunting its growth.

[RichsBallPythons]

Small Females dont produce small offspring.

My 06 female who is 1000-1200g will never peak past that. Eats sm rat weekly al year till ovy.

She laid 7 eggs last year and 6 the year before that all babies hatched 50-60g. One of her babies from 2010 is already 1800g breeding with follicles. Theres no way to tell why females grow slow or fast.

But to say Ill never breed a small female as itll pass onto the offspring is an opinion I wont listen to. Getting tired of this Mythical 1500 and 3 year rule ppl toss out like its a must follow or else.

Only you know your snakes behavior and if their able to breed. Small females breed just as well as large females.

[satomi325]

I personally think it depends. Some females are naturally small and won't grow super huge. Doesn't mean she won't throw healthy clutches.
I have a pastel girl who is tiny compared to other females much younger than her. I got all my snakes as hatchlings and feed them w/ the same size food at the same rate. She's not skinny or anything, just now growing as much as the others.

I agree with the age thing. I'll wait till after the female's second winter before thinking about breeding. (even when the female is up to breeding weight....)