another breeding question regarding egg building

[coitussnakes]

I know i sound like a noob but i was wondering how much weight should a ball put on, say bi-weekly if she is gravid and building eggs? ive palpated her and altho im inexpeirenced in this and breeding i think i may have felt 4 or 5.

[Bree]

I know i sound like a noob but i was wondering how much weight should a ball put on, say bi-weekly if she is gravid and building eggs? ive palpated her and altho im inexpeirenced in this and breeding i think i may have felt 4 or 5.

To my knowledge the weight should come before she is gravid, and your weight (in the 1400's??) should be sufficient for her to provide nutrition for her eggs. 

I would still offer a small meal once a week or every 10 days at the least but it is unlikely she'll accept, though I've had Mom's accept up to a few days before egg laying so...every one is an individual.

Great question Jameson!

[coitussnakes]

Realy? thanks. i knOw shes under weight (i didnt have scales untill after) and i know i should of waited but at her last shed (nov 22nd) she weighed 1320, since then they both stopped eating now she weighs 1356. im starting to think she didnt take at all. so the weight goes on before the eggs actualy take form?

[Bree]

Realy? thanks. i knOw shes under weight (i didnt have scales untill after) and i know i should of waited but at her last shed (nov 22nd) she weighed 1320, since then they both stopped eating now she weighs 1356. im starting to think she didnt take at all. so the weight goes on before the eggs actualy take form?

Exactly.   Even at 1320ish she is low normal for weight.  Some breeders suggest waiting until 1500 or over.  That is the most cautious method.  But anything over 1200 is okay, you may just have a smaller clutch.

 I would continue to cycle the male with her now though, if you do want to go through with the breeding.  One of my biggest mistakes this last season was not continuing to cycle long enough.   Cycle thru spring or until the male loses interest in breeding with her.   With my first year (2009) of breeding I couldn't really palpate/feel the eggs/follicles. I thought I did but man was I wrong since the ones I really thought were gravid weren't necessarily.

Best of luck with her. 

[SnakeGirl]

Realy? thanks. i knOw shes under weight (i didnt have scales untill after) and i know i should of waited but at her last shed (nov 22nd) she weighed 1320, since then they both stopped eating now she weighs 1356. im starting to think she didnt take at all. so the weight goes on before the eggs actualy take form?

Yes, the mother draws from her fat stores to produce eggs.  The more fat she has stored, the more she can draw for the babies, and translates into either more babies or larger  (but fewer) babies.

[coitussnakes]

Thats neat, these snakes are  so awsome, still cant wait to get bigger ones though. i dont mind getting a smaller clutch,but next time im def going to wait until ther weights are up. anyway i dont know if this helps but i started in oct so the temps go back up this month. and i am still cycling them but the male has lost interest. he just chills mostly on the other end of the cage,sometimes they snuggle though. should i still keep cycling them and if so for how much longer?

[SnakeGirl]

Leave them separated for a few weeks and then re-introduce the male.  Give him a little break and he will probably start breeding the female again.

[Bree]

Leave them separated for a few weeks and then re-introduce the male.  Give him a little break and he will probably start breeding the female again.

Agreed 100%

[coitussnakes]

Cool. thanks bree and snakegirl