Up to size???

[greghall]

rats stink & grow way too fast for a few snakes been there done that,breed my own rodents now & have 14 snakes,asf's are the way to go if you want to breed way better than mice & stay a good size for all ball pythons,& don't stink as much.

[Mitch21]

If I could find ASFs by me, I would gladly breed those suckers over anything else... I've been keeping my eyes open with people who have ASFs but there just doesn't seem to be any in my area.

[Joe_Compel]

In my experience....females start to reach breeding size at about 30 months.
I have had a few go as early as 18 months but it is the exception rather than the rule. (at least it is here)

For me, for a ball python to be "breedable", I have to have the right mix of size and age.....and I think way too many people disregard the age factor (especially with females.....males are a different story). Young female bp's just seem goofy. They go against all the "rules", often showing atypical breeding behaviors, and just drive me nuts.

One bit of advise....ditch the "with my/her current progression" approach. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but I gave it up a long time ago and it is one of the things that kept me sane Just when you think you have ball pythons figured out, they have a way of making you humble.

Good luck with your girl.....I hope she does go for you next year!

[Gloryhound]

rats stink & grow way too fast for a few snakes been there done that,breed my own rodents now & have 14 snakes,asf's are the way to go if you want to breed way better than mice & stay a good size for all ball pythons,& don't stink as much.

Rats stink a little and they do grow fast, but we Euthanize and freeze them when they get to our largest size (unless we are growing up breeder replacements) and since our largest girl only eats f/t it works out pretty good. As far as the breeders go when they are retired I have a friend with boas and retics.

ASF's are hard to find and some snakes will not go to rats once they have had ASF's, so if you are not guaranteed to make as many as you need you could have to skip feedings for some snakes. I can buy rats at Pet-co. (not that I trust the quality though.) Also when ASF's get to hopper size they are quick and can jump high! Have you ever tried to pull one of those suckers out of a tub because the snake decided not to eat it? It is a real test of mans reflexes compared to ASF and snake! weaned rats are so much more gentle and fuzzy rats are like your best friend till you hear it squeak.

[greghall]

They do all kinds of crazy stuff!,eat grow stop eating,Joes 100% right & he's a expert Im a first year novice listen to the experts on here they are always right.

[greghall]

freezing them is ok but mine don't eat frozen.ASF's are spreading fast so they will be avalible soon.

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Looking at our records when we get them young (like a month old) their growth rates out do that of the ones that had been previously maintenance fed for the purpose of sale for

This is an excellent observation. I have noted myself that all my problem feeders were purchased as juvies, and every snake I have had since hatchling is a stellar eater.

One possible reason for this is those I got as hatchlings are accustomed to my "system" since they have never known anything else. Whereas BP's that were purchased as juvies had a year under someone else's system, and they are just not as quick to adjust. In fact, my best eater...a 1000+ gram 2007 female pastel, was purchased immediately after she shed. Her first meal was FT with me, and she has never known anything but FT and my way of doing things. Perhaps that is contributing to her success?

Another possible reason is that the best eating hatchlings may have been spoken for first by customers of the breeder. Maybe those 2007's I have that are stubborn eaters were never the best eaters to begin with.

JonV