This year's breeding season is soooo different from last. I staggered the breeding for the 2006 season. I started the match ups in the middle of January, a few at a time. We were making a major move, and although I wanted to be able to attend all the shows, I just didn't want a van load of eggs and gravid females to make the 13 hour trip to our new home.
This season, I brumated for only a month over the early winter and started my matchups in the middle of December and decided to go for broke!
As each of the females had a post brumation shed, in they'd go for at least 48 hours with their chosen male. At first, there wasn't much action. Then second sheds...and again they were put in with the male. I'd learned from previous years, it might take a couple of times, so I wasn't too worried.
Had my first gravid female...okay, I'm a little less anxious. Two more refuse meals...okay, so I'll have 2 clutches around the same time. 4 more start looking eggie...okay, maybe I'm just being optimistic, but no last weekend they are blue. Better get them boxed.
Well, Thursday is feed day...but then, what's this...another 3 who aren't eating. And 2 more in shed...wait a minute here...that's 5 more plus 7...geez, what have I done to myself.
So this week started with one female laying eggs, one female already having pre lay shed, 4 females having pre lay shed on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and today, and now 5 more who will probably lay by month's end.
Oh lordy...it's just now registered in my brain...the month of May will be crazy around here.
And the fun begins....
Ruth
