how old is too old?

[Art_Gecko]

Hello, i may have the chance to purchase a pair of Chahoua (in the UK those don't come around too often!!) but what I need to know is at what age do they stop breeding?

Speaking to the woman, we estimate they are over 2years old, but beyond that she doesnt know, so I want to know how long they keep breeding for before they slow down and become 'past their prime'. They havent been producing eggs lately but theyre not in 'ideal' conditions so could that be why? does anyone have any tips on getting them going again? could it be the the male needs a break to get his enthusiasm back?!!

I want to keep them for the joy of having them, but hope to breed them to recoup the money ill have to spend on them.

I cant seem to find anyone who knows how long they lay eggs for?!

any tips on keeping and breeding Chahoua would also be EXTRMEMELY appreciated!
Sarah

[Darky]

Hi there, Personally if they are not in tip top condition I'd expect to pay less than the market value in the UK... drop me a PM & I can help you out with any questions.... Rudders & Chahoua are users on this from the that keep chahoua .... As for breeding lifespan they will have plenty of years life left in them, I'd err on the side of caution though & keep them seperate for the rest of this year to get them into shape...

[Art_Gecko]

Thanks, as you'll know pairs, or even lone females are so hard to come by that if i get the chance i'll jump on it even though they may take some time to get back into great health. My plan was to separate them for at least a few months to make sure theyre both doing well before even thinking about putting them back together.
Ive not seen any pairs for sale here, what is the going price for a 1.1. pair???

[Darky]

Well it depends, private breeders will sell adults for about £135 or therabouts, however for a adult pair In top condition you'd be looking at not geting much change for about £250/£300. I'd be loking at the lower end of that price range if they are not in good condition.

I would really recommend geting Allens 2 part mix, my 2 Chahoua love it & considering the male used to be kinda slim looking he's doing great on it...

cheers.

[Art_Gecko]

Thanks, im hoping to get them for a good price but its all negotiable atm. Ill be feeding them the GGD for the added protein, ive got lots of it for my **** cresteds. oh and plenty of waxies! lol

[Art_Gecko]

250-300 is actually a bit cheaper than i expected, seeing as females are SO hard to come by, and ive seen a few places seeling babies for 180... i was thinking you'd have to pay more like 400 to get a definate pair...

[Darky]

well depends who you buy them off .. for example i know petshop around the uk can sell them for as much as £180 each or as little as £125... your much better of geting them from a private breeder or a good idea is to save like crazy a buy a bunch of juveniles from the Hamm show.

cheers

[Art_Gecko]

i've not been to Hamm, although i would love to go! How much roughly would i be looking to spend on a juvi there?

[Darky]

Ultimatey it will depend on the breeder selling them but I would imagine under £100 ecah at least.

[Art_Gecko]

thats for unsexed i assume...?

do you ever see females for sale at Hamm?


Ive not really spoken to that many keepers of Chahoua (esp UK), theres not very many of us about are there? do you have any tips on keeping them, breeding them (i see your sig says 1.0 but you said you had more than 1 before...) and just what keeps them happy etc?
I read that they enjoy a hot spot in their tank more than other rhacs, how do you create that without going over 85F?
Any fav foods? any signs of illhealth to look for or anything really!

[Darky]

Hi your much better off searching this forum for info theres loads of it, I would also seriously recommend buying the Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care: Books: Philippe De Vosjoli,Allen Repashy, Its a great book & I'd totally recommend it.

Yeah I have a juvenile that I'm hoping will turn out to be a female that I recently bought & a 3 year old male.

[Art_Gecko]

Yea ive had tht book on order but the distributor keeps saying they cant get it. Do you know of anywhere selling it? other than Ebay which seems to cost a bomb for it!

[Darky]

Try searching on reptile keeping they have in it stock.

[Art_Gecko]

yea thats what i meant by eBay, they charge like 8 pounds p&p!

[sarasin]

I've been to Hamm on a number of occassions and I actually picked up an adult trio of chahouas there - I paid 500 euros (when the exchange rate was good) so they actually cost me about £250 for the trio. I also picked up two juvies for 180 euros which works out about £90 for two!!!
My adults I bought still breed even though I got them about 4 years ago and they were probably around 4/5 years old when I got them.
The pet shops selling them for £180 will be buying them directly from breeders at about £100 each so if you can locate breeders you would save some money!!! If you do go for the pair you are being offered as Darky said get them in top condition before trying to breed them as the females are prone to calcium crash as their eggs have a really thick layer of calcium on them compared to other Rhacs.

[Art_Gecko]

Thanks very much for that info!! Good to know about the age thing esp. Wow you were lucky to get a trio for that price! Do they often have definate females there? (never been able to get to hamm or houten unfortunatly)