Hi, my cousin want to sell one of his "breeding pairs" to me for a very good price. I know that the 2 females's last batches was unsuccessful, the female laid eggs and after a fev days they turned yellew. I'm not sure how old they are but its about 10-12years. When are they to old to breed?
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when is to old?
- Thread starter Cyberduke
- Start date
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
My females have usually hit their breeding peak between the ages of 6-8. They carry on breeding safely after that - when I've tried it, they've produced eggs well into their teens and I retired them when they were too slow to regain condition after laying.
However, after about the age of 8, the sizes of the clutches start to drop and the proportion of infertile eggs increases. This may be what you're seeing with the female - or the male could've "run out of steam".
At 10-12 they're certainly past their prime. I wouldn't expect to pay a premium for them as a "breeding pair", even if they had been producing successful clutches up til now. The fact that the last two clutches were infertile could well indicate that as a pair, they're probably more suited to a nice retirement home!
In your shoes, I wouldn't buy them for breeding. Better to save your cash for a much younger pair.
However, after about the age of 8, the sizes of the clutches start to drop and the proportion of infertile eggs increases. This may be what you're seeing with the female - or the male could've "run out of steam".
At 10-12 they're certainly past their prime. I wouldn't expect to pay a premium for them as a "breeding pair", even if they had been producing successful clutches up til now. The fact that the last two clutches were infertile could well indicate that as a pair, they're probably more suited to a nice retirement home!
In your shoes, I wouldn't buy them for breeding. Better to save your cash for a much younger pair.
dave partington
Crazy Dave
I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but older females which are overweight sometimes produce clutches of infertile eggs.
crotalis40741
Nanci said put sexy bangs
I personally think that the over weight effects them as much as age. and when you combine to two it has a negative effect on viable egg production.
Tom Tuttle
Fightin the C
I had a male Okeettee that was over 23 years old when he sired his 1st clutch. All the eggs were fertile.
crotalis40741
Nanci said put sexy bangs
One would think that age and weight would effect the female more then the male, and as for all things in life. What works in one place may not work in another. For the female I think it would depend also on how over weight the animal is.
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
I'd be concerned at a five year old female producing a clutch of infertile eggs. There are a number of factors which could have caused this, both on the male, female or husbandry side. If I was buying a pair specifically for breeding, I'd want snakes with a reliable track record.
Of course, ultimately it's up to you. But if you have your heart set on breeders and not pets, then it's a definite case of "buyer beware".
Of course, ultimately it's up to you. But if you have your heart set on breeders and not pets, then it's a definite case of "buyer beware".