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I am trying to decide what male to breed to my pastel female but cant! What do you think would be a better choice my spider male or SK line axanthic? I have a SK het axanthic female that will go next year so I could make het axanthic pastels this year and possibly a axanthic pastel next year or bumble bees this year and possibly killer bees next year. I just cant decide!! What do you think? Thanks for your opinions!

Personally I love the looks of bumblebees therefore I'd bred the spider to her. Like you said, the chance of possible killer bees the following year is also there if you hatch out a male bumblebee.

Tom

I usually find myself laughing at these kind of post. Most of the time the answer seems really obvious. Not this time. That is a tough decision. Bumblebees are nice and a lot of breeders are working on that project. If your a year behind the others, the value of your hatchlings will be less. Also, there is a good chance of producing a killer bee the next year. On the other hand, working with pastels het for axanthic is a good project. A year later, silver pastels, very nice. Most breeders will tell you that the recessive gene morphs hold better value. They do take longer to produce. Since so many breeders are going for the quick turnaround, instant gratification, the recessive gene project may be better in the long run. Less competition, lower number of snakes available, and silver pastels are awesome. I would go for the recessive gene project. If you produce a good size clutch, you may be able to trade a pastel het for axanthic for a sub-adult / adult axanthic female. That would be much better than using a het for axanthic female the following year.
Not sure if this helps, just some things to consider.

That is what I have been thinking as well but like you said bumblebees would probably make me more money, which would be very nice, but I just love the the looks of both so I am having a very hard time with this one! I agree with so many that recessive is where the future is but not being a big breeder it is so hard to sell hets. I am currently working on a nice reference page with comments from past customers so that it will make it a little easier. I guess we will see! Thanks for your thoughts and more are welcome!

I've only got 1 female pastel that will go this coming year, I'm at a toss up with putting a spider on her or a cinny. I'm leaning twards the cinny but will more than likely put both of them on her and wait for the suprize hatchlings...

really really old pic, I need to get some more images uploaded....

I can totally understand where you are coming from. But if I had 2 dom/co-dom males I would probably roll the dice and put both with her as well. If you get really lucky you could produce bumblebees and pewters which would be a great clutch! Good luck with the decision. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

How often does that happen?(breeding 2 male co-doms to the same female and getting both morphs)

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Charles Glaspie

Tanstaafl:
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
An acronym created by my favorite author Robert A. Heinlein.

I don't think it happens that often because most breeders won't let it happen. If they have an expensive male, they wouldn't want to take a chance of the female being fertilized by a less valuable male. Also, for their reputation, they would only back up a male with one that carries the same traits so that they can be sure of what they are selling.