Carpe diem

[hhmoore]

I put my Kingsville reds together to take a picture for an ad (a wanted ad - they aren't going anyplace) - the male is around 4.5 feet long, the female is about 5ft...they do look smaller in the picture . Even though I feel the female is breedable, my plan was to give the female another year; partially because I want her little bigger first, and partially because I limit my production, and have a bunch of other things going this year. That being the case, I SHOULD have separated them as soon as I was done with the pics; but I decided to hold off until I went down to clean the bull racks.
Off I went to clean the mouse boxes, and when I came back about 25 minutes later, the male had already decided that my plans are flexible. Apparently, he agreed with my opinion that she is breedable, because she's being bred . I didn't take copulation photos, though, because when I walk by the tub, the female freaks out and tries to take off - dragging the male along by his boy bits.

The male is on the left, and is dulling down for a shed - guess he's not far enough along to diminish his urges, though, lol.

 

[Focal]

I didn't take copulation photos, though, because when I walk by the tub, the female freaks out and tries to take off - dragging the male along by his boy bits.

Our chows use to do that when I was young. We would just spray with the hose... that works

 

[hhmoore]

Well, I suppose...but my goal is to avoid the separation, lol.
He's made it clear that that is his goal as well, as he's taken a more typical pit approach to the matter

 

[hhmoore]

There's no sense trying to break it up when you see this.
(I don't know why that spot always looks like that when he's approaching a shed - but it really isn't a blister forming. I thought it was the first time I saw it, but the underlying skin is always perfect. I think it's just a small collection of fluid between the layers - but I don't know why it consistently shows up there...maybe a scale irregularity that causes it to "pool"?)

 

[Ed Clark]

Best of luck with a fertile clutch!

 

[hhmoore]

Thanks, Ed. Admittedly, I did make the decision to give him an opportunity...and I was not in the least disappointed that he capitalized on it. Looking forward to some nice reds (hopefully, my Crumbly reds will produce this year, as well - they're better looking than my Kingsvilles)

 

[akonitony]

Guess I'm going to have to ad this to my wishlist. Those are some excellent-looking critters you've got there. In all fairness to your sire, if I only saw a lady as often as he did, and you left the room, boom-choka-pow-wow man!

 

[hhmoore]

Found a small load of slugs in her tub last night....should have stuck with my gut on giving things another year. Small setback, but not a great loss - she's eating like a champ, and the next time that pair is put together, circumstances will be right for a fertile pairing.

(Eggs from my Crumbly reds are out and looking good!)

 

[akonitony]

Man that's a shame on those slugs. Have you soaked her to make sure she has passed everything? Eating well is a good sign, but I wouldn't be taking any chances with a girl like her. I'll be hoping for the best next spring, as I'm sure anyone else who sees these pics will be as well.