Breeding one female with different males

[brothaT]

I know that one breeding session can deposit enough sperm for multiple clutches of eggs, but what happens if your female lays a clutch and then you mate her to a different male? Does it become the luck of the draw so to speak, or is the most recent mating the most dominant?

 

[hybrid]

Nice question...i was actually wondering this as well...

 

[eric]

I know that one breeding session can deposit enough sperm for multiple clutches of eggs, but what happens if your female lays a clutch and then you mate her to a different male? Does it become the luck of the draw so to speak, or is the most recent mating the most dominant?

If the sperm from both Males is still viable, either males sperm can fertilize the egg. Without DNA testing, the offspring of the males, would be hard to determine if not impossible. IMO not a genetically ethical thing to do.

 

[Sandra]

I was going to try it this year, but the female I was going to use is not eating properly so I may have to wait. It is perfectly possible to discern whose is the offspring if you think about it a little. My plan was to breed a Bell albino and a normal to a Bell albino female. All albinos will be from the albino parent and all normals will be from the normal parent.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

I share Eric's opinion. Not a good practice at all! :main_no:

 

[LeapinLizards]

I agree with Eric and Maurice. I don't find it to be ethical, nor the best thing for anyone...the geckos and the potential future owners just in CASE problems discerning the offspring arise.

 

[hybrid]

OK so how many times will she lay fertile eggs from one copulation? When will i need to introduce him again to my female. I heard it 4-5 clutches then reintroduce...? Is that right?

 

[acpart]

I have done this only once, when a female was not succeeding with the male she was with. I switched her to another male (after she had laid several clutches of infertile eggs with the original, proven, male and after he hadn't been obviously trying to mate with her for several weeks). She laid 2 clutches with the second male, and 3 eggs hatched. The offspring was obviously from the second pairing. While I agree that there are ethical problems (from the point of view of determining genetics) in some cases of multiple males with a female, I don't have a problem with doing this with some forethought, especially if the offspring will be clearly identifiable, e.g. using a SS and non Mack snow male with a non snow female.

Aliza

 

[eric]

I have done this only once, when a female was not succeeding with the male she was with. I switched her to another male (after she had laid several clutches of infertile eggs with the original, proven, male and after he hadn't been obviously trying to mate with her for several weeks). She laid 2 clutches with the second male, and 3 eggs hatched. The offspring was obviously from the second pairing. While I agree that there are ethical problems (from the point of view of determining genetics) in some cases of multiple males with a female, I don't have a problem with doing this with some forethought, especially if the offspring will be clearly identifiable, e.g. using a SS and non Mack snow male with a non snow female.

Aliza

I would be careful promoting such practices for a couple reasons. There are a lot of new breeders on this web site, multiple male breedings can and will get confusing to them. Just look at the threads on Breed this to this and what do I get? I see your point acpart but the negatives IMO out way the positives.

 

[acpart]

That makes sense. I also wouldn't endorse it as a policy, but feel that in special cases, like the one I described, it could be done with care.

Aliza

 

[brothaT]

I really didn't expect the thread to be as debatable as it has become. My question stemmed from an occurrence that happened a few nights ago. I'm short on space at the moment so I put a young male with one of my adult females thinking him too young to mate. Well, I walked in on them doing just that. I had wanted to mate her with a different male and therefore was hoping that I could do that sooner rather than later. The offspring would be very easy to differentiate however, so I still might try to mate the desired pair relatively soon. Thanks for the help, and just out of curiosity how long should you wait to make sure that the previous male's sperm is gone or cannot fertilize any further eggs?

 

[eric]

That makes sense. I also wouldn't endorse it as a policy, but feel that in special cases, like the one I described, it could be done with care.

Aliza

I agree 100%

 

[eric]

Thanks for the help, and just out of curiosity how long should you wait to make sure that the previous male's sperm is gone or cannot fertilize any further eggs?

When she isn't producing viable eggs (infertile) but There are other issue that need to be addressed. Egging takes a huge toll on a female, huge! If you feel that this pairing with a new male is a risk your willing to take with her then do it. The safest option is to find a breeder ( there are some real good ones here on the forums ) and buy a new female. It sounds that this breeding is of convenience to you and your space issue. You know the pro's and con's best of luck in whatever you do and if you decide to sell the hatchlings please, please release the information to the potential buyers.:main_thumbsup: