Breeding musings

[Asherah]

Getting ready for my first breeding season this fall. The plan for this year is one clutch, a Pewter X Normal breeding. Figured that would be a nice simple starter for me. Both are virgins. The female is currently at a little over 1500g the male is a little over 200g.
I'd like opinions on backups for him in the event that he goes on strike and doesn't hit 500g/produce sperm plugs/can't figure it out.
I have a pastel 100% het pied proven breeder that throws some nice blushed babies with a clean pattern.
I also have a 100% db het Albino Pied male.
Both these guys were picked up for other long term projects but in the event my Pewter is in need of a bit of "help" this season I've been considering both these guys. The female is very dark with a clean and nicely contrasted pattern and lots of blushing.

[grcforce327]

Maybe you could attain some help from one of the Muses, or just muse some more before coming to a decision.

[Asherah]

I'm sure I will go back and forth a number of times before finally deciding. lol

[Albert Clark]

Getting ready for my first breeding season this fall. The plan for this year is one clutch, a Pewter X Normal breeding. Figured that would be a nice simple starter for me. Both are virgins. The female is currently at a little over 1500g the male is a little over 200g.
I'd like opinions on backups for him in the event that he goes on strike and doesn't hit 500g/produce sperm plugs/can't figure it out.
I have a pastel 100% het pied proven breeder that throws some nice blushed babies with a clean pattern.
I also have a 100% db het Albino Pied male.
Both these guys were picked up for other long term projects but in the event my Pewter is in need of a bit of "help" this season I've been considering both these guys. The female is very dark with a clean and nicely contrasted pattern and lots of blushing.

Whoa, wait a minute, did you say 200gms? That bp shouldn't even be considered breedable at 500gms. The minimum weight for a male bp to breed somewhat safely is 600gms. And that is low because breeding is such a strong instinct, particularly for males. They not only run the risk of not feeding for long times afterwards but some really lose weight and die! So it's better to strengthen him above that 500gms to about 900- 1000gms. Just IMO. That would be a conditioned, safer weight to breed. Even though you are just breeding one female, I would rather see a higher weight male. Then you really wouldn't need a back up and the risks to his life and health will be lessened. Stay in peace and not pieces.

[Asherah]

I am aware of the risks. I am not a new ower, but i am begining to build my collection toward breeding. The backups are there in the event that he is not ready. I have no intentions of breeding him if he is not of size or if it would present harm to him. He is currently eating very well and growing. If he matures to the point that he is ready then he is my first choice. If not there is always next year and other large males available to do the job.

[Asherah]

I should also say thank you for the advice and concern was well. :-)

[Slowcountry Balls]

I would go with the Pastel 100% het Pied. That way, if you get a female Pastel possible het Pied you can hold her back and test the possible het Pied. Also, it is very hard to sell possible hets, so go with the male that will give you some incomplete dominate (ie. Pastel) babies that you will actually have a chance of selling. I say this not because it will give you the best chance of making some money, but because it will give you the best chance of moving snakes and keeping your collection to a manageable size with snakes that you really will enjoy.

[Asherah]

I have been leaning toward him but the DH is tempting just as a long term project.

[Slowcountry Balls]

I have been leaning toward him but the DH is tempting just as a long term project.

It would be. Hopefully you would hit the odds, but the odds would be pretty low. Each baby would have a 1 in 2 chance of being het for Pied and a 1 in 2 chance of being het Albino. That means that each baby would only have a 1 in 4 chance of being double het Albino and Pied. Then you bring in the sex odds, and you are looking at half your clutch being male and half being female. You'll want to keep all the females to give yourself every chance possible, leaving you with some males that you'll only be able to sell or give away as normals since you don't have an established reputation yet. It would be a very exciting project, and very rewarding when you finally produce Albino Pieds, but you may end up with a lot of possible hets that you can't sell and have to take care of. Just a thought. These animals are so amazing, and it's so exciting producing them, that it is easy to get too many in your collection, and then it looses some of the joy. Just trying to help out.

[Asherah]

Thank you for the imput. I would like to keep it near 20 at the moment and as you said pastels would be easier to sell. I'll probably stick with that option and chug along on the little plan I have established.