Starting out..

[Brion99]

Well I've decided I want to get into breeding Balls and figured this would be the place to get started out right (thx to you guys).

I now only have a youngster male lesser ('11 hatchling, 'bout 90 grams...weighing later tonight), and a %100 het Pied male at180 grams (my roommates). What I'm looking for is recommendations on an inventory to start with, equipment, etc...pretty much everything. lol

I am on a somewhat tight budget so I can't just go grab a bunch of mixed morph adults and a giant rack system and go at it....gonna have to go the slow route. Next month I plan on grabbing a tub (thinkin 27 Q since I'm not sure what on my list will pop up with a good deal and its size and I figure that'll hold pretty much anything save an adult) and everything that goes wth it, and hopefully something to put in it. After that I think it'll be time to save up for a small rack.

The list I compiled is:
0.1 Mojave
0.1 Spider
1.1 Pastel
1.0 Fire

Of course I'm lookin for a bit older/bigger females.

I figured those are all reasonably priced and eventually could make me some nice morphs to either sell or trade, then work my way up from there.

If at all possible I'm gonna go through higher-end/more well known breeders, so I should get quality animals, but if you can will you tell what to look for in a certain morph (or a site that'll tell me)....that will be extremely helpful.

Gee, I'm not asking too much. :/ lol

Anyway, any guidance, critcism, recommendation is greatly appreciated.

[kevinb]

Just setup a small rack. The premade shelving at lowes or home depot are good and cheap. Your list looks good but I would go with a firefly male (fire x pastel) which will cost about the same as getting both the fire and pastel male. Plus when you breed it to your pastel you can get supers, fireflies, pastels, etc. Make sure you have your heating element on a thermostat if you don't already. Also make sure you have a place for all the potential babies. If your starting out with 2011 girls it will take 2-3 years till they are of breeding size. I would start them out in 15qt tubs if they are babies and graduate them up to 41qt as adults. Hope this helps.

[Brion99]

Just setup a small rack. The premade shelving at lowes or home depot are good and cheap. Your list looks good but I would go with a firefly male (fire x pastel) which will cost about the same as getting both the fire and pastel male. Plus when you breed it to your pastel you can get supers, fireflies, pastels, etc. Make sure you have your heating element on a thermostat if you don't already. Also make sure you have a place for all the potential babies. If your starting out with 2011 girls it will take 2-3 years till they are of breeding size. I would start them out in 15qt tubs if they are babies and graduate them up to 41qt as adults. Hope this helps.

Yeah, I'm lookin for '09, '10 females (easier said then done). I think I'm gonna go with the RhinoRaxx system from Boaphile. It comes basically turn-key and reasonable in price, plus Boaphile has a good name so I trust 'em....much better off than trusting my building skills. Oh, and after seeing my roommates snake get burnt I'll always have thermostats.

My only problem with starting out with double morphs is you can't judge what grade of snakes they come from, thus the likely quality of their offspring...or maybe you just judge it on it's own merits (any help here would be helpful).

Thx alot!

[kevinb]

If your buying from a good name brand breeder the quality will be up to par. There are quite a few out there.

[Brion99]

If your buying from a good name brand breeder the quality will be up to par. There are quite a few out there.

With a double-morph I'm definitly goin that way.....thx.

[bman123]

just be picky when buying your animals. Buy what you like, it doesnt have to come from a big name person, its not like your looking for hets ya know.

Just selective breed your animals and im sure you will be happy with the outcome

[kevinb]

There are plenty of good quality double morphs out there.

[Brion99]

There are plenty of good quality double morphs out there.

Well given that the Bee I want run around $400-500 I won't be getting him next month so I'll have time to search around a make sure I'm able to pick out a good one on my own....maybe Nov when the expo's back in town...theres a couple guys there that I know have good quality stuff.