Just some food for thought. I put it that way, because I have and do breed 18-20 month old girls that are between 1400 and 1700 grams. After stating that disclamer, I will tell you about my Albino project. I bought my Albino male and a Het Albino female in 2004. During the '05/'06 breeding season, my Het Albino girl was about 1700 grams, so I thought "what the heck, maybe I can get some eggs". Well sure enough, we got 7 eggs from her that year. During incubation, 1 egg went bad, and 6 animals hatched. 5.0 Het Albinos and a unsexed severly deformed Albino that died half way out of the egg. Well, as always, I kept my chin up, and had my girl back on a good feeding schedule. By breeding season '06/'07 she was up to 2000 grams, so I knew for sure that we would hatch some Albinos last year. WRONG! She took the year off, even though she copulated with my Albino male numerous times. This year, that girl is 2400-2500 grams, and has copulated with my Albino numerous times, and has follicles that I can palpate, so I am hopeful this season.

After saying all of that, I have talked to numerous people, including some big breeders, that told me that they no longer breed important females during their second winter, due to the fact that they have noticed that females that lay eggs from breeding in their second winter, typically don't put the weight back on as well and/or take the following year off. So, after hearing that great tidbit of kn owledge, I no longer pair 18 month old "important" (meaning, you only have one, or it is a big project) females. I have a 1600 gram 18 month old Het Genetic Stripe girl that I have been dying to breed, but I know I am better off if I let her get some more weight and age (i.e. she will probably give me more eggs and lay more consecutive years) if I wait. I am breeding some 1500 gram Spider girls this year that are only 18 months old, but I also have 2 more the same age, that I am not breeding.

I know that was alot to read, but I thought it may give you some good practical experience to help base your decision on. Personally, with a collection as small as yours, that is a valuable female, and I would wait until next year.