Should I wait?

[BCS]

I got a proven female a few months ago. When I got her she was 1689g after she had her second clutch. Both her two clutches were five eggs. If I was to breed this female this season I am guessing she will be around 2100g but if I let her wait till next year's season would she get bigger and possibly give me better clutches?

Also I have a 3 year old who has yet to breed and I was planning to breed her this season as well. She is 1478g as of yesterday and I believe she will be at least 1600g by the time I am ready to begin my breeding season but again if I waited till she was 4 years old would she get bigger and produce better clutches? Or does size really matter that much? I know that once I breed them, they will lose weight but if I don't breed them, would they just continue to grow and give me better clutches next year?

[Jcash34]

Bigger snakes tend to have bigger clutches. No guarantee that they will but the potential is there. Ball pythons often turn 1/3 or more of their weight into eggs. Both females ive had lay so far this year did. 1597g down to 991g and 1750g down to 1227g. Both laid 5 eggs. They can't turn mass they don't have into eggs. A 1500g female is probably not going to have 10 eggs, the eggs would be too small and it would leave her too thin. A big 3000g female could handle 10 but obviously there is no guarantee.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Bigger snake is not a guarantee of bigger clutches age is an important factor in this as well so regardless no one can predict what the outcome will be she might give you one more eggs like she could give you 3 more.

If she is back up to where she was plus some more weight wise just pair her, nature knows best and if she is ready she will take. If you want to wait you can do that too.

[dylanjwicklund]

It all depends I had a 1500 gram female lay 7 eggs 0 slugs and another female 2400 grams also lay 7 eggs 0 slugs

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[Bigfish1975]

If I breed a female this season, I will consider breeding her a second season in a row if she has put weight back on and has a good look and feel to her body. If all checks out, she will be paired for the second season. I personally have not paired any of my females more than 2 seasons in a row. They automatically get the 3rd season off. I also wait to breed my females until they reach 1800 gram minimum. That's just my thing but I feel that it has resulted in nice healthy females, clutches and hatchlings. Others have their way, and it seems to work for them too. I've done it this way consistently for the past 5 seasons and have had great success. Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun with it.

Mike

[BCS]

K guys thanks for you input. The normal female (1908g currently) she was 1980g when she bred last year. She is eating like a pig. I most likely will breed her this year then. My 1400g female, I may wait till next year.