Rat colonies, help me weigh pros and cons

[Reptotica26]

My husband and I are considering starting a rat colony to maybe ease the cost of feeding our BP's. (It's not a heavy burden or anything, just more of a hassle getting to the store) Instead of driving 20 minutes to PetCo, we could have them on-hand...
Our snakes eat 3 small feeder mice every 2 weeks. For both of our BP's, that 12 mice a month
12 mice
X$2.99 each
$35.88 per month(not including tax)

Pros
·save on gas
·have mice on hand
·save $35+ a month

Cons
·more mouths to feed
·another cage to clean
·possible overbreeding (which could possibly bring in profit if sold locally)

Those of you that have a rhodent colony, do you find it is worth while? How often do they breed? How many mice should I start out with?

Thanx for your input

[ptate]

For only 2 snakes I would say it's not worth breeding your own rodents. Also if they are both eating 3 mice at each feeding, you might consider switching to weaned rats which would be cheaper. One rat per snake every two weeks won't cost as much as 3 mice per snake every two weeks.

[littleindiangirl]

I hope these help you. (btw, this should have been posted in the feeder section )

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69076

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52894

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39864

[Reptotica26]

I hope these help you. (btw, this should have been posted in the feeder section )

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69076

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52894

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39864

My bad, didnt know there was one, still getting to know the navigation on this site lol

[Reptotica26]

For only 2 snakes I would say it's not worth breeding your own rodents. Also if they are both eating 3 mice at each feeding, you might consider switching to weaned rats which would be cheaper. One rat per snake every two weeks won't cost as much as 3 mice per snake every two weeks.

I have tried switching to larger mice and even frozen. Given their age, my snakes are pretty set in their ways and won't eat them. With the larger mice, we had an incident where Rosie was scratched pretty bad and needed antibiotic injections and Iodine baths. So, my uncle (the Vet) said to keep them on smaller (more helpless) mice, as they give less of a struggle...lol that sounded so horrible.

[ptate]

I have tried switching to larger mice and even frozen. Given their age, my snakes are pretty set in their ways and won't eat them. With the larger mice, we had an incident where Rosie was scratched pretty bad and needed antibiotic injections and Iodine baths. So, my uncle (the Vet) said to keep them on smaller (more helpless) mice, as they give less of a struggle...lol that sounded so horrible.

This will basically boil down to a judgment call on your part. Breeding your own rodents will save you money but mice stink, and I mean they STINK! Mice ammonia smells far worse than rats and mice take forever to get a decent size but since you feed small mice that really doesn't matter. You would only need like a 1.4 ratio for breeding so I guess it won't be so bad. I have to remember you only have 2 snakes.

On the other hand you only go to get rodents twice a month which isn't that bad and no rodents to feed, clean and water.

Personally I would find someone locally that bred mice and just buy from them, it would be a lot cheaper and you don't have to breed any rodents until your collection grows!