First Time Breeders

[LepoInc]

So I hear a lot of talk about a geckos first time breeding; whether she will have fertile eggs or infertile eggs. I was curious on how often y'all have first time breeders that lay perfectly fine eggs or all duds. The question is risen because my gravid gecko is a first time breeder, although she is four years old. Should I expect some plausible eggs from her or will I hardly get anything, if anything. Of course I will incubate till there is no debate but I don't want to get my hopes up.

 

[KTyne]

She could lay perfectly viable eggs or she could not. It's not advized to breed a Female for the first time over 2 years I believe though.
For health reasons and also because Female Leos usually only produce viable eggs up until they're about 3-5 years old anyways.
I'll let some others chime in though since I don't have the experience to go along with my book smarts, lol.

 

[B&B Geckos]

Most of the time my proven breeders lay good eggs to start the season. Unlike with younger geckos, it shouldn't matter if its her first time or not, as the reproductive system is completely developed. Based on my experience you will most likely get good eggs

 

[OnlineGeckos]

It's quite random honestly. There's no way to tell whether your female will lay good eggs or not. I've had such mixed results from first time breeders and breeders that are 3-4 years old. It's like rolling a dice, just hope you have good luck and success.

 

[scm133]

I have one Super Snow, first time breeder, that has laid eight clutches so far. Out of 16, only two were bad. I have a first time Bandit that has laid four clutches. Out of 8, three have been bad. Like James said above, it is like rolling dice.

 

[LepoInc]

Well daddy needs a new pair of geckos!

 

[LepoInc]

She could lay perfectly viable eggs or she could not. It's not advized to breed a Female for the first time over 2 years I believe though.
For health reasons and also because Female Leos usually only produce viable eggs up until they're about 3-5 years old anyways.
I'll let some others chime in though since I don't have the experience to go along with my book smarts, lol.

Haha I know how that goes. All the info I give is all book smarts.

 

[KTyne]

Lol yep! I can't wait until next season when I'm finally breeding!!

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I put my first three unproven females to a male in February and each had a different start. One has dropped nine fertile clutches of two eggs so far and is about to drop her tenth. One produced an infertile and a fertile egg in her first clutch, produced 5 more fertile clutches of two and looks like she might be making another. My third female laid six infertile eggs in four clutches before laying one fertile and one infertile egg in her fifth clutch. She's laid four more clutches of two since then and looks like she may be working on another as well. So much for starting my first breeding season off slowly!

 

[LepoInc]

I don't even have any eggs yet!! :/ I put them together about 15 days ago and she accepted him right then and there. I checked for ovulation on about day 10 or 12 and she most definitely was ovulating. It was huge. I can't really see eggs but I thought I have. Should I expect eggs soon or do you think she may have JUST started developing eggs?

 

[LepoInc]

I can see the eggs from her side, which tells me they're rather big. I am just waiting to hear her digging.... The anticipation is killing me

 

[LepoInc]

Can I get more thoughts on this? Obviously the female I was talking about finished laying (3 clutches, 4 babies) but this upcoming season I'll have 2 first time breeders that will be well over age and weight

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[favrielle]

A little late here, but I'll add in my numbers just 'cause:

First time breeder female, late 2011 hatch, ovulated and bred early summer 2013.

First clutch: 2 duds
Second clutch: 1 egg, likely fertile (candled w/ a red spot, but molded & didn't hatch)
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth clutches: all fertile, 6 live hatches so far and 2 good eggs due next week.

She laid the first through fifth clutches 12 days apart each, then exactly 20 days later produced clutch 6 and stopped. Final tally: 9/11 "good" eggs, 6/11 live hatches (hopefully up to 8/11 next week!)


I also purchased a gravid gecko earlier this summer. I was told she'd laid something like 7 or 8 eggs before I got her (5? live hatches) and she laid 6 more after. Only one was fertile, but it died in-egg some time before hatching. So, 6/13 or 6/14 "good" eggs, and 5 live hatches.

 

[LepoInc]

Thank you for your input. It makes me less "worried" for next season. I want something to look forward to

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