Breeding between clutches

[benr7sj]

How soon after laying should the male and female be put back together?How soon after laying does a female typically start ovulating?

I am wondering because i just had a female lay a clutch and she hasn't been put with a male this season. She is coming out of quarantine and i would like to get some fertile eggs from her this season.

Thanks

 

[AlexB]

Females can lay infertile eggs. First you have to make sure she's in good health, age and shape for breeding. Then you can introduce the male.

 

[benr7sj]

I understand they can lay infertile eggs. I was wondering how soon after laying do females begin ovulating again? She was 49 grams before laying so i do have to fatten her up a bit before she is ready to breed. She is 2 years old and the person i got her from bred her last year so she will be a 2nd yr breeder. I threw the eggs in the incubator just in case she was housed with a male before and retained any sperm from a prior breeding.

 

[geckomeister]

this is my question also. some say every 2 weeks... but how about u guys? every how many clutches do u return ur male to the female? hope to hear others about this matter.

 

[Tempest09]

I leave my male in all the time but since I've been lucky to witness a lot of their breeding behavior, I've noticed that they will breed usually within a week after laying (sometimes as soon as the evening of the same morning they lay since my females favor early morning). Any other time and my male gets sent packing when he goes looking.

 

[ChristinaJ]

they only need to be bred once to lay all breeding season, there is no need to keep re-introducing a male

 

[Russellm0704]

I reintroduce the male between most clutches. Some females will hold sperm longer than others. Reintroducing the male will most likely result in more fertile eggs if done properly. You just have to know when enough is enough. I usually let the female eat for about 5-6 days before putting male back in

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I think breeding a female after every 1,2,3,4 clutches is excessive and harder on the male and female than needed. From a proven breeder I will only reintroduce the male after 6-8 clutches depending on fertility of the eggs. From first year girls I will do the same 6-8 clutches but will not ever put a male in again regardless on fertility and production. I personally feel as though we over breed leopard geckos (males and females) and breeders tend to focus more on production rather than true health of an animal. I can have a 90g female laying perfect eggs and having good weight, but the stress and hormonal effects of clutching still is VERY taxing on her. Breed em and let them produce what they want...even if its not what YOU want.

 

[JH1970]

I think breeding a female after every 1,2,3,4 clutches is excessive and harder on the male and female than needed. From a proven breeder I will only reintroduce the male after 6-8 clutches depending on fertility of the eggs. From first year girls I will do the same 6-8 clutches but will not ever put a male in again regardless on fertility and production. I personally feel as though we over breed leopard geckos (males and females) and breeders tend to focus more on production rather than true health of an animal. I can have a 90g female laying perfect eggs and having good weight, but the stress and hormonal effects of clutching still is VERY taxing on her. Breed em and let them produce what they want...even if its not what YOU want.

I agree.............

 

[ChristinaJ]

Agree, that's why I only introduce them one time for a week or so and I've always has good results, lots of healthy hatchlings, and more importantly, healthy adults

 

[OnlineGeckos]

I think breeding a female after every 1,2,3,4 clutches is excessive and harder on the male and female than needed. From a proven breeder I will only reintroduce the male after 6-8 clutches depending on fertility of the eggs. From first year girls I will do the same 6-8 clutches but will not ever put a male in again regardless on fertility and production. I personally feel as though we over breed leopard geckos (males and females) and breeders tend to focus more on production rather than true health of an animal. I can have a 90g female laying perfect eggs and having good weight, but the stress and hormonal effects of clutching still is VERY taxing on her. Breed em and let them produce what they want...even if its not what YOU want.

+1 totally agree with that, too often people focus on production rather than the health of both male & females.

 

[benr7sj]

Thanks for the info guys. The main reason i was asking is that i wanted to initially introduce my male to the female. She was producing eggs and hadn't been bred this year. She has in fact laid two clutches and 3 of 4 eggs are fertile, based on candling, and the first clutch is close to hatching. She laid her last clutch 3 1/2 weeks ago so im watching out for any other clutches. I wont introduce my male to this female this season just based on the fact she retained sperm from last season and i want to know genetics of offspring for sure.