I have had my first clutches laid and both are infertile! My female bred great last year, and she was willing this year. Here are the complications: if you can solve this that would help me out immensly! The two "potential problems" are listed as 1 & 2, and 3 is the egg description.
1. The male being used this year was a younger male, of breeding size and age, but a "newbie". This is his first time breeding. He did well, was gentle and seemed to coax the females nicely.
2. My female did not have the same appetite as last year. She seemed to plow through food like it was going out of style, and this season she wasn't very interested. She ate but definatly not nearly as much as last year. I didn't worry about it because she still had so much good weight that she put on after her last set last season. She is very healthy and had a great tail. Much bigger than last year's.
3. They look fantastic, until you touch them. The eggs are soft, although the shell is fully formed. They move when handled and are quite "mushy". I know they are infertile because of candling. The first set from this year I kept in the incubator "just in case" and they have fianlly turned dark in appearance and have flattened out much more. Both sets looked identical to each other when they we laid. I know the second set will follow in the same path with rotting as the first did.
And now ladies and gentlemen...to get to the bottom of this! I have calcium available for the females at all times, and I saw it being used. That is not the issue. Was it the lack of food? The new sperm? Both? Will the male always be infertile, or was that just because he may not be fully developed? He is 40g and has decent weight. I am so upset! Last year she did great, and this year is horrible! I have three females that have bred with this male... I guess until the others have eggs I will not know for sure... Any input would be great!!! Thanks!
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~Laura
Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn
