Seperating cresties to give breeding females a break.

[zarozinia]

Hi
Does anyone seperate their breeding cresties to give them a break from breeding? One of my females was seperated from males for 5 months when she produced eggs last year, she had produced one clutch after a couple of months so I wasnt expecting anymore, they were viable too.
I was considering seperating my females from males to give all of them a chance to recouperate so to speak, and to build up their reserves.
Any thoughts anyone?
Angi

[Gecko Brothel]

I have always kept my girls separate from the males nearly year round. When the time comes to match up, I add the male until I assume the females are gravid and then take the male out and separate him for the balance of the year (around 10 months). I have always had the females lay all viable eggs and the clutches range from 5 to 8 cycles. Sometimes the last eggs go molding and that is my indication that their laying egg season is over or nearly.
I have heard of the male staying in year round and I believe that works very well. I just prefer mine separate as the males tend to stay overall bigger.(less on their minds.
Betty

[zarozinia]

Thanks for that. Do you mean that you add a male once and thats enough for the whole season? I know mine will produce two clutches from one mating.
I like the idea of seperating them I have noticed a small weight decrease in all my cresties if left together, which Im not happy with. Im planning seperation in a few weeks when I have spare vivs.

[Gecko Brothel]

My females have not been with a male since the end of December and they are still laying eggs. Most of the females have stopped laying in the last month but I have a few still laying.
Betty

[zarozinia]

Qow, I didnt realised they would retain sperm that long! Pretty amazing really. Makes a good case for only keeping them together for short times then.