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Double Clutch Problem

MilesHerp

New member
So my younger female cornsnake layed her first clutch and recently the eggs have been hatching, nine in total. I knew double clutching is risky and she definitely didn't have the mass to produce new eggs. Her feeding schedule and routine went back to normal the minute she layed the first clutch. Problem was, she went ahead and layed another. This one was full of bad eggs and over the course of about 2 weeks she layed. This is of course BAD so I was wondering what I can do, if anything, to prevent a double clutch next year. Thanks!
 
I'm not sure there's anything you can do to PREVENT double clutching. I think the best you can do is make sure she's really well fed/muscled up before breeding season begins so that if she decides to lay a second clutch she's in tip-top shape to do it. Both of mine doubled last year without re-breeding, and I'm hoping this year for NO second clutches except for one girl who laid mostly slugs.
 
Either a Corn double clutches or she doesn't. There's no way of preventing a second clutch as they can just lay slugs, or retain sperm from earlier matings and lay fertile ones.

As Erika says, now that you know you have one that is likely to double clutch, all you can do is ensure that she's in tip top condition for her first clutch, so that you can get her in as good shape as possible for the potential second one. After she's laid the first clutch, I'd advise getting as much food into her as she'll take - especially if she goes off her food for any length of time before laying. Mine usually eat one large mouse a fortnight, but the double-clutchers will get two mice at once after the first clutch. Also, I start to offer smaller food as they swell, to try and keep them eating as long as possible before the second pre-lay fast.

As you've seen, second clutches are reasonably easy to predict, usually being laid around the same time as the first clutch is hatching.

Laying a second clutch of infertile eggs isn't an inherently bad thing (as long as the female is in good shape to start with). Slugs are usually smaller and easier to lay, so if you don't actually *want* the second clutch, this option is less stressful on the female.
 
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