Bearded dragon breeding age

[mclar55]

Hi, just wondering how old a bearded dragon should be to lay her first eggs. I have a female who is almost 1 yr old. is this too early

 

[lloydy]

Id say so,
1.5-2 years old i think is the correct age?

 

[JAS101]

15 months+ old .

 

[gregcranston]

Female beardies can usually breed from 14-16 months, but many people wait till 2 years of age, as that will give the dragon a longer breeding life and lay more eggs per clutch. It is easier on their body too. So if she is nearly 1 year old now, I wouldn't be thinking of breeding her till Spring 2011.

 

[mclar55]

She lives in the same enclosure with the male. Would it be a health risk if she did lay eggs.

 

[redbellybite]

She lives in the same enclosure with the male. Would it be a health risk if she did lay eggs.

Is she gravid now? and your worried? or you just asking for query sake?
Greg answered that in this quote
'Female beardies can usually breed from 14-16 months, but many people wait till 2 years of age, as that will give the dragon a longer breeding life and lay more eggs per clutch. It is easier on their body too. So if she is nearly 1 year old now, I wouldn't be thinking of breeding her till Spring 2011.'...there is your answer ..but as I asked if the deed is done and she is ...then not much you can do about it ...

 

[mclar55]

the male has just come out of hibernation and is wanting to mate but if it could kill her than ill have to separate them. I dont mind if they do mate just not if its dangerous

 

[Kristy_07]

Alternatively, is there an age that is too old to breed a beardie if she's never had a clutch before?? I have a 5-6 year old female that I've never bred... would there be any problems?

 

[gregcranston]

Alternatively, is there an age that is too old to breed a beardie if she's never had a clutch before?? I have a 5-6 year old female that I've never bred... would there be any problems?

I doubt they could be too old, but personally I wouldn't breed a female that is 8 years or older. But 5-6 should be fine, although I have no experience in this. There can always be problems breeding, no matter what the age.

 

[Wally]

the male has just come out of hibernation and is wanting to mate but if it could kill her than ill have to separate them. I dont mind if they do mate just not if its dangerous

You need to remember she is going through the peak of her growing cycle as well. I'd personally wait another year as has already been suggested. Just because they can doesn't mean they should. Preparing a breeding pair starts well in advance of the breeding season. The females I'll breed this year were being conditioned last summer before brumation.

 

[cheddah]

Size is more relevant than age. Ive seen 3 years olds (admittedly kept in unsatisfactory conditions but give you an idea of how stunted they can get) that look like 6-12months old. 40cm full length is a good size, should be that size by 2years, even 1 year but thats without brumation which is beneficial if wanting to breed.
Ones ive bred at 2years produced about 18eggs max per clutch, and were about 40cm but not nearly as broad as the ones i left until 3years old. The 3 y/o's produced upto 30 eggs and had more clutches and handled the whole process with ease. Much bigger over all to.

hth

 

[JAS101]

my 15 month old [ she is big for her age] has not long laid her 2nd clutch , first clutch was 23 eggs 2nd is 33 eggs.

 

[mclar55]

she is quite big compared to the male. about 43cm long but her head is only about 5cm wide. quite fat aswell. ill keep an eye on her.

whats brumation