Breeding Questions

[Amelydia]

Over the years I've had a couple BPs and I really enjoy keeping them. I've been wanting to take the step into breeding, but I have some questions for breeders - particularly small/medium size breeders. Ideally I'd like to break even - or atleast get close, I know there will be a large upfront cost but over time is it reasonable to expect to have a self sustaining hobby?

• How hard is it to rehome your hatchlings?
• What price range tends to sell best?
• At what point would breeding rats be cost effective - 5 snakes 10, 30?
• How much time do you dedicate to your snakes a week?
  
• How did you get started breeding? Why? Did you collect some snakes and decide to try breeding them or did you collect them with the intent of breeding?
• Do/Did you have a spouse that was hesitant to have snakes breeding in your house/a large-ish collection? If so how did you get them to come around?

Thank you for any help

[Stewart_Reptiles]

How hard is it to rehome your hatchlings?

That will depend on what you have to sell as well as your reputation. Low end single and 2 gene animals will be VERY hard to move as the market tend to be saturated at that level, higher price animals will move however that is where your reputation will make a difference (people will be hesitant in dropping $500 or more with someone they never hears of)

What price range tends to sell best?

Generally $500 to $1500 animals are the one that I have no issue moving.

At what point would breeding rats be cost effective - 5 snakes 10, 30?

I started at 10, it can be at any number really but once you start producing hatchlings it is definitely a must IMO (or at least have a reliable feeder source near by)

How much time do you dedicate to your snakes a week?

I honestly do no count since this is something I enjoy.

How did you get started breeding? Why? Did you collect some snakes and decide to try breeding them or did you collect them with the intent of breeding?

I wanted a Pied at the time they were 10K and hets were $1200 so it was a no brainer I had to make my own, I was hooked with the first clutch and have been doing this ever since.

Do/Did you have a spouse that was hesitant to have snakes breeding in your house/a large-ish collection? If so how did you get them to come around?

I am married to someone who does not like snakes, did not really want one in our house let alone a room full, but he has always encourage me to pursue what make me happy, the snakes are MY thing and I am fine with that.

[Amelydia]

Thank you! My husband isn't entirely opposed to the snakes he just really doesn't love the idea lol, having information from people that have actually done this should help sway him beyond just "But I REALLY want to". I've been wanting to breed snakes and rats since college, but I didn't have the money to get decent morphs nor did I want to have to hide snakes whenever I moved or had a landlord come check on the house. We finally bought our own place, I'm hoping i can get a couple of morphs I've been eyeing for a while and then get him to come around on the breeding thing.

As far as reputation goes how do you get your name out there? I'm relatively close to the NARBC expo in TX and will be trying to go to the next one. Otherwise just email breeders and say whats up? I guess just try to forge some relationships with breeders while I wait for females to get big enough.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

As far as reputation goes how do you get your name out there? I'm relatively close to the NARBC expo in TX and will be trying to go to the next one. Otherwise just email breeders and say whats up? I guess just try to forge some relationships with breeders while I wait for females to get big enough.

At first you will essentially established your reputation by networking locally share your projects, help other in your community etc same goes for your presence online, being involved, providing solid advice will help people get to know you and when it will be time for you to sell they will be more likely to turn to you than some stranger they know nothing about posting a picture of a clutch.