Why do first year female throw slugs?

[Northstar Herp]

I know that it is common for first year females to throw slugs, but I wonder if anyone knows why that is?

Is it just their bodies getting in gear for breeding, or could it be that they are bred to early and therefore their bodies aren't up to the task? Or something else?

I guess to really answer my question, I would like to hear personal experience about breeding first time females that are on the small to normal/young side (say a year old or less and 50g range or less) versus females that are definitely old enough and large enough (second years and 55g plus). Is there a difference in how often the first few clutches are slugs?

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I think their size has a lot to do with it. I have had a lot of first time breeders who never throw slugs out, but they are typically 60+g when bred. I would say half of the 45-55g females who are first year breeders end up dropping a infertile or slug clutches. This is probably due to lack of experience and their bodies are still growing. I could not answer you why but I think I can verify that their size does play a role in it as well.

 

[roger]

I know that it is common for first year females to throw slugs, but I wonder if anyone knows why that is?

Is it just their bodies getting in gear for breeding, or could it be that they are bred to early and therefore their bodies aren't up to the task? Or something else?

I guess to really answer my question, I would like to hear personal experience about breeding first time females that are on the small to normal/young side (say a year old or less and 50g range or less) versus females that are definitely old enough and large enough (second years and 55g plus). Is there a difference in how often the first few clutches are slugs?

I have first year breeders that are 50 grs that have laid fertile eggs and I have a 2 yr thats 65 grs that has infertile eggs.theres no rhyme or reason with mine

 

[Tony C]

My guess is that it is due to our tendency to rush and breed them a bit young. It is common for some frogs to lay infertile clutches at first too.

 

[ddkgeckos]

all of mine are first time breeders one is still too young the other 2 are over a year old and weighed 58grms and 63grms so far they have laid 8 eggs each i have had 4 good ens from one and 3 from the other maybe 4 got one cooking from today that im unsure about. Personally think its more to do with the female rather than her weight and age some females lay less egss than others i think its just one of those things.

 

[Hbug]

what does slug clutches mean?

what does "slug clutches" mean?

 

[Tony C]

what does "slug clutches" mean?

A clutch is a set of eggs laid at one time, slug means infertile.

 

[robin]

i dunno about first year dudders, i mean i have one but all of my other females will tend to lay only a couple clutches but they are good clutches or maybe the first clutch may be bad but the rest good or you have a freak of a first year breeder who was 55g when she bred and is on her 10th clutch ALL have been good.

 

[Chewbecca]

I, uh, just wanted to chime in and say that, uh, I have 9 year old geckos laying for me this year.

Granted, one has laid a dud clutch, but I got a good egg from one yesterday.

I know that what I just posted doesn't pertain to first year breeders, but I am proud that my 9 year olds are still giving me fertile eggs (except for that one, I might get ONE or two, if I'm lucky, that are good from her this season).

 

[lindy]

I had a one year old gecko last year lay her first clutch all were fertile. her clutchmate I waited until this year as she was small she is laying infertile eggs and she is 2 years old same male.
Also the one that laid good last year are giving me infertile eggs this year. so i dont know what is going on.

 

[Northstar Herp]

I had a one year old gecko last year lay her first clutch all were fertile. her clutchmate I waited until this year as she was small she is laying infertile eggs and she is 2 years old same male.
Also the one that laid good last year are giving me infertile eggs this year. so i dont know what is going on.

Is there any difference in their weights, or general health at all? feeding habits?

 

[lindy]

they were actually from the same dad different mom. the jungle was bigger the aptor was smaller but big enough gram wise to breed the first year but i waited until this year as i wasnt wanting too many babies anyways.They live together now and get along great. they both eat roaches.

 

[mmyers80]

How long once an egg is laid should you be able to see the veins developing when candling the egg? I think one of my girls dropped an infertile egg... but it's only two or three days old.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

i think cuz the males sperm is trying to fertalize and cant get it there somehow

 

[ariana]

the stress of first time breeding might have a role in it couldnt it?
i was just thinking it.. maybe the stress causes them to "lose" the fertility, kinda like how women lose their fetuses from too much stress.
no idea if that makes sense but i thought id throw it out there.

 

[Northstar Herp]

How long once an egg is laid should you be able to see the veins developing when candling the egg? I think one of my girls dropped an infertile egg... but it's only two or three days old.

I saw mine immediately. A good egg glows pink and should have little veins.