weight/length/age

[Kailaa]

I'll be p0icking up a few more corns in the fall and will be breeding them in the future. what i havent been able to find though, is how long, heavy, or old theyre supposed to be? mostly i am wondering how long it should take my babies to get to breeding size
also, ive heard of dusting feeders. i thought this was a little odd but i do feed F/t so i guess some extra nutrients couldnt hurt, what should i dust them with?
is there a certain kind or just herptivite or calcium powder?

 

[CARattler40]

how long, heavy, or old theyre supposed to be?

While I've never bred, this is something that's commonly discussed, usually answered with the "3/3/3" rule. Generally, most people see it best to wait 'till the female is at least 3 years old, 3 feet long, and 300 grams. Some people wait longer to ensure the safety of the animal, or breed sooner if they think the animal is ready (though breeding too early can cause some serious complications).

From what I've read, males can breed at as small of a weight as 100 grams, though the smaller the male, the greater chance of infertility occurring.

Anybody with experience in these matters, please correct me if I've mentioned anything incorrectly.

 

[paulh]

For me, the 3/3/3 rule is third spring (as they are generally hatched in the summer/fall), 3 feet, 300 g.

Extra calcium is generally useless and may be harmful. Snakes get plenty of calcium in rodent bones, where the calcium/phosphorus ratio is correct. Adding calcium without phosphorus may throw the ratio off.

In my opinion, breeders do need some extra nutrients. But a good bird liquid multiple vitamin is better than a powder containing calcium. Look for one with A, C, D3 (rather than D), E, niacin, riboflavin, etc. Once a month I cut a hole in a dead mouse's belly skin, put one drop of vitamin in there, and feed the mouse to the snake. Nonbreeders don't need the extra nutrients, as far as I know.