breeding feeder rats/mice/whatever

[mainbutter]

So I read the FAQs and one question kind of got at this("is it really less expensive to breed your own feeders") but I wasn't really satisfied by the answer in the FAQ, so what's your opinion?

At what point (number of snakes? any other criteria?) is it worth the time, work, and money to have your own colony of mice or rats or ASFs to feed your BPs?

I'm planning on getting a BP soon, and have been toying with the idea of having a small colony of ASFs or maybe rats to breed my own feeders. Of course I think that I'd produce way too many newborns for a single snake to eat.. For those of you who do breed feeders, was there some moment where you decided "heck, it'd be better if I just had my own colony rather than buying live/frozen"?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

was there some moment where you decided "heck, it'd be better if I just had my own colony rather than buying live/frozen"?

Yes when I reached 10 snakes before that the cost would not have been effective, if that is your main concern.

Now it is definitely cost effective since I have spent $354.46 (so far this year) to produce 1065 feeders. (that $0.33 per feeder produced )

[Clear]

I breed for better quality food. So i am not to concerned with price.

[Bettacreek]

Well, I've had one corn snake for a few months, and just recently bought four baby balls. I have a small mouse colony started (1 male, 9 females), plus I'm looking to start a small ASF colony. I'm planning on breeding snakes later, but right now, I only have four baby balls and one juvie corn snake. I had actually bred mice before for the corn, but quit because I couldn't handle my allergies any longer. Anyways, I think you could actually work a breeding colony of feeders for any amount of snakes that you're feeding, without costing too much. One thing I've noticed with pre-frozen critters from a supplier is that they all look like they've been constricted by a snake already, so, even if it does cost $.10 more per feeder, I feel it's worth it to produce HEALTHY feeders. But, if you breed wisely, I believe even in a small snake colony, you can breed your own feeders for cheaper than purchased.
The stickied thread of cost doesn't seem to actually calculate bedding/food for the actual number of rodents kept.

I'll have to check into my files and work out a calculation for small time feeder breeding.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I breed for better quality food. So i am not to concerned with price.

Well my cost is for quality feeders it includes Mazuri lab blocks and bedding (Equine Fresh)

Depending on the size of your colony it can be more or less expensive.

Note: 1 time Fix cost such as racks is not included

[mainbutter]

so it wouldn't be crazy to have a small ASF colony(1.3? Is 1.2 too small, I know they are social creatures) for a single ball python?

edit: from a quality perspective, or a "I want to do it all myself" perspective

[Stewart_Reptiles]

so it wouldn't be crazy to have a small ASF colony(1.3? Is 1.2 too small, for a single ball python?

You can but you will need to think about the logistic such as having several enclosures to keep the males and females sperated when they reach 6 weeks old or think about a way to sell the surplus.

[Beardedragon]

so it wouldn't be crazy to have a small ASF colony(1.3? Is 1.2 too small, I know they are social creatures) for a single ball python?

edit: from a quality perspective, or a "I want to do it all myself" perspective

I do not think a small trio of asfs will be crazy, they hardly eat and drink so unlike normal rats they will will not eat you out of house and home, and get too big, and do not have the stink and other issues of mice.

[Bettacreek]

If you happen to produce too many to feed off, you can sell them, freeze off extras and possibly a breeder female to cut production, etc. If costs are not your sole motive, then I definately say go for it. You can cut costs in many different ways without cutting quality, plus you can sell off extras to possibly even balance all of your expenses and in the end, break even.

[Somed00d]

ask yourself do i want the hassle? I personally like breeding rats and it is cheaper than buying them.