How does a female act as far a heat seeking or cool seeking prior to ovulation? Have seen three copulations occur, but don't know what to watch for now?
Thanks,
Axman
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Female pre-ovulation ??
steelersdiehard
Mar 28, 2004 09:22 AM
Replies (1)
serpentcity
Mar 28, 2004 11:40 AM
prior to ovulation will spend most of their time at the cool end, other females seem to cycle back-and-forth warm end to cool end.
In my experience most females that are pre-ovulatory seek cooler temps in the front of the cage.
It has been said that females will wrap around the water bowl in the front (cool end) of the cage to cool their bodies. However, the water bowl and its contents will be the same temp as the surrounding air; evaporative cooling of the water bowl is essentially non-existent. I believe this behavior is just the females using the bowl as an anchor.
All of my breeding females pretty much start the breeding season off feed but the majority take food later into the season and some do so with vigor. I agree that this is a good sign, as existing fat stores are mobilized to the ovaries, the females seem to know instinctively to help the process along by feeding.
Once ovulation occurs the females seek heat, but using the infrared temp gun the females vary between 82.5-87F. On any given day a female might vary between these temps.
Hope this helps!
Scott J. Michaels DVM
