Question about Breeding

[Prodigypr]

Ok i was wondering just to clarify what the minimum age/size for breeding was i heard somthing like 18 months but just wanted to be sure well thanks for your time Brandon N.

[Linda]

OK, I'm not an expert, but I think 18 months if only for males. I think the females have to be at least 3 to 4 years old, 6 feet + in length, have good body weight and muscle mass, and be in excellent health. Males, I think, can be 18 months, 3 to 4 feet, and they don't need the body weight a female does. Now "if" a male can actually breed at 18 months, that doesn't mean he actually has viable sperm at that age. Of course, he could and then you would get babies. Males can breed younger, because the whole breeding process doesn't take that much out of them. They don't have to carry the babies ya know. LOL. I do think it's very important to make sure the female is mature enough before breeding. Breeding a female to young or too small could result in death. Of course, I've read where nice large healthy female have died too, but I don't think it's as common. Hopefully other with more experience will add more info. I'm just getting started in the whole breeding thing.
Linda :D

[Winston]

It also depends on how often you feed it I have heard and seen female breedable at 18 month but she was power fed since she was born every 4 days. you can power feed but not as adults, it is not healthy for them. to be on the safe side I would give at least 22 month or more before breeding. it all depends on size and weight.

Well hope this helps

Winston 8)

[Prodigypr]

Well currently she is about 2.5-3 ft in lenght and was born in august so that makes her around 7 months old and is currently feeding on jumbo(really big)mice and a friend of mine was telling me that 5 ft and good weight might be possible if i keep her on the once a week think soon i would say in about a months time she should be on small-med rats she is really growing and hopefully she will get lighter here is a pic cut and paste if you would like to see her tell me what you think Brandon N.

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/28Hypo1$325.jpg

[dragons182]

I would tell you not to rush it. Wait till she is at least 2.5 yrs old, 6 ft + and 20 lbs or more before you would breed her. If you want to breed soon, then buy an adult female to breed until your other one matures. Powerfeeding isn't good for them.

[redtailboas]

It seems that in nature it is the 3rd winter that females are ready to breed. So the 3 year mark is a good point to plan for. Correct feeding will place them right on this schedule. They will be healthy and make good breeding females that can breed for many years to come.

Jeff mentions on his video that it is possible to powerfeed females and it is possible to acheive the size and weight needed for breeding in as little as 18 months. In fact he did this when he first started. He also mentions immediately following this statement that ALL of the females that he raised this quickly, DIED within 4-5 years. ALL of them.

Shoot for the 3 year mark and have many many litters with her.

[Prodigypr]

Just to let you guys and gals know i was just wondering if it would be possible i wasnt going to try and push her at all i was just gonna try and breed her if she is the size that she would need to be to be healthy i woudnt want to risk her life for money that would be insane i was thinking anyway if she is big enough then sure i will try but i will not push her and also if she isnt big enought next year then i will try for the 04 season and i will be hoping by then i will have an albino male to go with her so i belive that the wait would be worth it well thanks all for your opinions Brandon N.