This morning a virgin female laid 3 fertile eggs and 3 slugs subsequent to matings by 8 month old Mark Petros-produced Pastel male.
The male was hatched early July '03. By late January he was over 700 gm. He was cooled moderately through January and continued to feed. He was cooled more vigorously through Feb, and in late Feb was placed with a super-high yellow virgin female. No interest whatsoever. After a few days, he was placed with another less yellow virgin female, about 2000 gm. The following morning he was locked-up with this female and remained so for at least 24 hours. The male then went through a shed cycle. In late March he bred this female once more for at least 10 hours. The female ovulated mid April, shed 5/3, and laid 6/3. Two full-sized fertile eggs, one smaller fertile but partially-slugged egg, and 3 slugs.
The long interval between last mating and ovulation (over 3 weeks), plus the fact she was bred just twice, would account for the presence of slugs. In 3 prior clutches this season where different males have bred females at least 3 times with the last mating closer to ovulation, I have obtained 100% fertility.
Hopefully a PASTEL will be hatching in about 55 days!!!
These observations confirm that males less than 1 year old CAN sire fertile eggs.
Scott J. Michaels DVM
