Possible Beardies??

[jolie76]

So we are somwhat new to the hobby (2 years), so hubby and I have been talking and considering a possible beardie breeding session either late Augest or next year. We were thinkng about breeding Sweets/Kado with Puggles. She is 5 and is more then healthy. It would be a one time breeding and we would only try to hatch a few of the eggs. We are extremly curious to see if we can have 3 foot orange dragons. Now we are NOT breeders and are not doing it for a profit, we just wanna give it a try. From everything we have read there is nothing like being there from start to finish.

We have had babies born in our house. We bought 5 W/C armadillos that had babies within weeks of bringing them home. Our marbles have laid eggs on the rocks, again bought that way. Our daughter just had 6 crestie babies hatch but the eggs were a gift to her from a friend of ours... So we have seen the 'end run' but we wanna try it from the beggining at experience it all.

So now it just is about the right time and who to mate with her. We have 5 males and 3 females, only problem is that only one female and 2 of the males can ever be bred as a rescue (or ones small for thier age) would NEVER be used for this. So it is up to a big girl....and one of the 3 boys we have. If only there was a way to ask her which one of the 2 boys she thinks is cute.....lol

Mmm now maybe someone with hands on experience can help me with this question.. What age is too old for a beardie to breed? If we do wait till next year, is 6 too old?

[saskatchewanexotic]

One of the few things I know about breeding beaded dragons is that age really IS a factor. Usually the best age is between 2 and 5 years. After 5 years they become less fertile. Not to say you won`t have success after 5 years, but maybe not as successful as a 3 year old. Since she has never been bred before(?) I would think that she would be fine to breed this year. I am sure the success rate isn`t that important, because like you said you only plan to hatch a few eggs. How would you go about hatching a few eggs anyhow? Would you just choose to keep a couple from the clutch? What would you do with the other eggs? (I know they can lay a crazy amount of eggs)

I know a lot of people cool their reptiles, and I know you can cool beardies. Did you cool them this season? I don`t know for a fact if this would effect the breeding, or the outcome at all. But it might be something to consider. With our geckos and chameleons we change the lighting a heat cycles to simulate season changes to get them in the mood.

Keep in mind that the mating process can sometimes be aggressive with these guys, and it may be something that will make you uncomfortable.


Thats all I have to offer since I have never bred these guys, I hope it helps!

[jolie76]

We would pick 4 that looked good to us under the candle light. The others would be frozen prior to being buried (yes we are weird any bury everything).
All of our critters are on a timed schedule that changes with the season.
Because I have heard of how aggresive it is, I think I would only allow one breeding attempt to happen. If she did not become eggy, I dont think I would continue.
Another question, she is a giant and both of the males are a normal size. Will breeding even be possible or will I just be causing harm?

[saskatchewanexotic]

If she is willing, all will go fine. If she is not, no breeding will take place, and the male might get really hurt if he is substantially smaller than her.
Just like breeding anything, its a crap shoot, you never know for sure who will do what or what the out come will be.

I wish you the best of luck though!