> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.wiki.resourcefulbees.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.wiki.resourcefulbees.com/formats/bees/breeding.md).

# Breeding Serializer

Serializer ID: `resourcefulbees:breeding/v1`

The breeding serializer controls valid parent combinations, breeding feed items, optional returned feed containers/items, and breeding/growth delays.

## Fields

| Field              | Type                        | Required | Default           | Range / accepted forms                        |
| ------------------ | --------------------------- | -------- | ----------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `families`         | array of family objects     | No       | `[]`              | Each family requires `parent1` and `parent2`. |
| `feedItems`        | registry predicate of items | No       | `minecraft:poppy` | Item ID, `#tag`, or list of item IDs.         |
| `feedReturnItem`   | item stack template         | No       | omitted           | Compact item ID or expanded item object.      |
| `feedAmount`       | integer                     | No       | `1`               | Positive integer (`>= 1`).                    |
| `childGrowthDelay` | integer                     | No       | `-24000`          | Must be `<= 0`.                               |
| `breedDelay`       | integer                     | No       | `6000`            | Must be `>= 0`.                               |

## Example

```json
{
  "resourcefulbees:breeding/v1": {
    "families": [
      {
        "weight": 10.0,
        "chance": 1.0,
        "parent1": "resourcefulbees:ruby_bee",
        "parent2": "minecraft:bee"
      }
    ],
    "feedItems": "minecraft:poppy",
    "feedReturnItem": {
      "id": "minecraft:bucket",
      "count": 1
    },
    "feedAmount": 1,
    "childGrowthDelay": -24000,
    "breedDelay": 6000
  }
}
```

## Family objects

| Field     | Type                | Required | Default | Range               |
| --------- | ------------------- | -------- | ------- | ------------------- |
| `weight`  | number              | No       | `10.0`  | `>= 0`              |
| `chance`  | number              | No       | `1.0`   | `0.0` through `1.0` |
| `parent1` | resource identifier | **Yes**  | none    | Bee identifier      |
| `parent2` | resource identifier | **Yes**  | none    | Bee identifier      |

The child is **not** encoded in each family object. Resourceful Bees injects the child identifier from the bee file currently being loaded.

## Feed predicates

`feedItems` uses the same compact registry-predicate forms as other Resourceful Bees fields:

```json
"minecraft:poppy"
```

```json
"#minecraft:flowers"
```

```json
[
  "minecraft:poppy",
  "minecraft:dandelion"
]
```

## Item stack templates

An item stack template can be a compact item identifier:

```json
"minecraft:bucket"
```

or an expanded object:

```json
{
  "id": "minecraft:bucket",
  "count": 1,
  "components": {}
}
```

Expanded objects require `id`. `count` defaults to `1` and must be from `1` through `99`. `components` defaults to an empty component patch and remains registry-extensible.