Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of het pieds that will go next year. I'm guessing the female will be around 1900g's by December based on her feeding and weight history. My delima is this: I'm thinking about buying a male pied to up my chances of producing pieds, but not sure if I want to let go of the money. I could definately make it happen without putting myself in a bind financially, but I don't have money to just throw around either. I think the male pied would be valuable to also put with a few of my other females. So what would YOU do if you were me. FYI my girls that will be up to size this upcoming year are:
4 normals
1 spider
1 mojave
1 het pied
Thanks Chris

Chris,

If you can do it, do it! I would say that only because that male will do alot more for you and get your collection where you want to be. If you posted this you already made up your mind, so get it done.
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Brandon Nixon

If you can afford to buy the pied then go for it but if it's going to put you in a "financial bind" - then don't do it -- enjoy your season and be happy with the results of the het to het breeding - there is always next year.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

First of all, I would never buy anything if you are "anticipating" her being 1900 grams next year.
Its a ball python and could weigh less next year than she does now if she goes off feed.

Been there, done that, as I am sure tons more people could testify.
You are better off seeing if she gets to that size and just buy a breedable male pied next year for about $500. lol

Good luck regardless.

Scott

did I miss the memo.... ?

I say go ahead and get the pied if you can afford it.

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

>>did I miss the memo.... ?
>>
>>
>>I say go ahead and get the pied if you can afford it.
>>
>>Beth
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>>The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

It will move you further along in your process. Also, are you sure your hets are hets? With a homo, you'll know for sure (at least on the offspring).
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

For those of you that don't know me I was only kidding about the $500 pied.
I figured I would toss that in before anyone gets upset.

My point was, be careful assuming a ball python will be a certain size next year.

I have yearlings twice as big as 2 and 3 year olds.

Good luck!

Scott

My guess of 1900g was just that. I wasn't saying she will be. I know how they can go off feed. I have 2 year olds that weigh just under 1000g's. I also have had 2 year olds give me 8 eggs.I was just saying this based on her weight progress from the last 2 years from the records I've kept. I'm not attacking you just wanted you to know I did'nt just throw a number up.
Chris

Chris,
There are a few things you should also keep in mind and one is that not all male balls are good breeders. If you're talking about buying an older proven breeder pied, that would be a good move if you can afford it. It will cost considerably more than buying a late 07 or 08 male, but I know how it is to get a baby male morph in hopes of breeding him the following season, only to see him kick in 2 or 3 years later.
You should also consider that if you were planning on buying a 07-08 male pied that’s obviously never bred before, I would never put him to 7 females his first time around. That’s setting yourself up for failure. You'll have better success putting him to 1 or 2 females maximum. You got to let the little guy clean out his pipes first! That is if he kicks in!
So if you’re talking about getting a proven breeder male pied, I’d say go for it!
And if you plan on getting a 07-08 male pied, I’d suggest putting him to only 1-2 females next year plus keeping the het pied male as back up just in case the pied shows no interest in breeding.

Good luck~

Eric Baker
Baker Reptiles

Link

It's half the money and you may get females that will prove to be quite valuable in the future...or hit the lottery with a male pastel pied.

~M.

if you have alot of cash to spend and no worry about it.....buy a little pied ...they are out there cheaper than you think

if you really don't have cash to blow ......use het to het..

I waited 10 years for the first albino here.....and I got my first pied last year and I made him with a female possible het (650$ and feed for 2 years) and a het pied male ($100 and feed for a year)......this year if the second poss het proves out I am really hoping on getting like 5 pieds.......?..works for me...

......and it won't be long till they are $500 somewhere.....

.....and pieds can be wierd eaters.......it's not all madeup tales...
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Pied males are very useful, but if you have the chance of breeding an older het male I would go for that. I am only saying this b/c in my own experiences pied males mature slowly, I have a 3 year old male that has yet to sire a clutch and I also have 2 year olds that are close to 1000 grams that have never showed any interest in breeding. I would breed the two hets and if you get pieds you can always sell some or trade for blood, or keep all of them If you get a male pied you may not get a clutch from him for up to 2-4 years.
Just my opinion
Kim