The summer of '06 was a "perfect" summer for my redfoots. Hot and humid!!! They had all been together the previous winter [ inside from late Oct. due to the weather here in TN. ] and had been able to breed at will. Although not much breeding had occured from March - early May. As I recall breeding started with the spring rains [ usually mid-May ] and was consistent all summer. I am sure that breeding is enhanced by rain.



In late July the females would cruise around their 24 x 30 pen looking for the best spot.. sometimes starting a nest and then aborting it for no apparent reason after a half hour of digging. This occured on the same 35-45 day cycle that Richard mentioned and continued until mid-March for most of them even though inside. Ambient temps in the 80's and I often run a WARM AIR humidifier.



As mentioned before my group consists of basically 10 year old females and a couple of [ now ] 11 inch males.. so the hatch rate is expected to improve from here on.



The summer of '07 was a drought.. [ we had a BAN on water usage ].. virtually no breeding.. the females couldn't dig outside. They did lay on a hap-hazard schedule inside.. about 75% of the normal number of eggs. And about 20% of the NORMAL hatch rate.. the eggs were not fertile.



The summer of '08 was still dry but not a drought. The first few clutches of eggs have hatched a few with a few Nov., Dec. and Jan. clutches incubating now.. we'll see! [ not much better really ] And I have now provided a SPRINKLER system to keep their outside habitat wet this spring and summer. Hopefully to get them back on track.



Before '07.. breeding and nesting was consistent and each year the hatch rate improved. Because of no rain in '07 [ during their normal breeding season ] they did not breed. They got out of rhythm for 2 years.



I'm of the opinion and believe that as long as we provide their "SEASONAL" needs they will produce like clock-work just like Richard mentioned. We can influence their season.. we'll find out in '09.. here!



Terry

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