Do your breeders always stop eating?

TrpnBils · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 03:34 AM

Do your breeding males/females always stop eating this time of year? Neither of my males or my female have stopped, and after introducing my 4 year old male to my 6 year old female, I haven't noticed any legitimate courtship activities. I'm wondering if it's just not happening this year?

I haven't fed the pair since a week before I introduced them, but they were eating right up until then.

Aaron_NSBM · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 03:46 AM

I never stop feeding my boas..I just switch down to smaller prey items dureing breeding.

TrpnBils · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 03:58 AM

personally, do you provide seasonality to yours and feed at the lower temperature as well or do you just keep temps stable at the beginning of breeding season?

Aaron_NSBM · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:03 AM

I keep my temps stable...just shorten how long my lights are on...

TrpnBils · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:09 AM

The majority of what I've read and heard from other breeders suggested stopping feed for either both or at least the female after they've been introduced, which is why I did that. Other than that though, I'm doing what you mentioned. Temps are stable, light is less, and I've also started misting the cage daily (normally I'd do this every 2 or 3 days). I guess we'll see...

morti · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:11 AM

Some will eat and some won't. We have had males and females go off feed during the season and we have had females eat all the way through. We never feed in the last 3-4 weeks of gestation because we don't want her to accidentally push out a preemie with a poop.

While actual courtship/copulation is going on we also don't offer food because we would have to separate them for that and I want them to have every opportunity to get it done.

Aaron_NSBM · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:12 AM

misting is a very good idea.. I mist mine daily all year long and sometimes twice a day during breeding...and for the feedings..guess it works out for me...people do things differently..may work for me and not work for the next guy...just give them some time..

TrpnBils · #8 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

While actual courtship/copulation is going on we also don't offer food because we would have to separate them for that and I want them to have every opportunity to get it done.

While it was never actually stated by anyone I've talked to, that was pretty much my assumption as to why they stopped feeding at introduction time.

I'm too used to the green tree pythons at work. They eat like hogs up until they've been bred and then it's like somebody shut off the light switch. This will be my first attempt at breeding any boa, so the differences I'm seeing already is interesting.

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