When is it economical?

I've been reading a bit (always dangerous and usually results in a new purchase) about breeding feeders. I've seen some numbers, many of them contradictory, but I was wondering what y'all's opinion was.

When is it economical to breed rats for feeders instead of just buying F/T?

I started with two snakes because its hard getting live rats the size I need. My breeding has gotten bigger an I sell off extras

I'd say 8 for my live feeding situation.
At 4 I might breed a rat once, if I had a plan for the extras, or all the time if I was feeding them f/t... actually it totally depends if you're feeding f/t. Because in a week a rat can be waay bigger than what your snakes are eating, you could just breed your own and stock up, and they don't grow when they're frozen.

I started at 4

Buying for 8 snakes equals 8 rats a week X $1.50(cheap for a small rat, but it's what I pay locally) is $12 a week $48 to $60 a month for only 4 snakes.
That's assuming a person can get rats as cheap as I can

Wish I got 1.50 price! Rats are 5-6 a piece at my pet store (petco) they only get in 300g + males at mine too an none of my balls eat that size. It depends on how easy an cheap you can get food. Since i sell rats an use that money to get their bedding and food it all works out to almost free

One month supply of rodent bedding: $10
One month supply of rodent food: $24
Knowing my feeders are 100% healthy and clean: Priceless

I'm feeding 18 snakes and supplementing for a couple tegus on the above monthly rodent budget.

My snakes are eating for free other than my own personal time and effort to maintain the colony.
I have a 6 tub rack. 1 month worth of bedding is $3. 1 month worth of food is $27.

The rats pay for themselves. I sell some babies as pets each month and it pays for food and bedding.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Like Satomi said, they pay for themselves. Throw up a craigslist ad and charge 15 bucks adoption fee to "make sure they don't become snake food." What is not specified is whether I'm protecting the rat from the buyer using it as snake food or myself.

I know, I'm a terrible person.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Like Satomi said, they pay for themselves. Throw up a craigslist ad and charge 15 bucks adoption fee to "make sure they don't become snake food." What is not specified is whether I'm protecting the rat from the buyer using it as snake food or myself.

I know, I'm a terrible person.

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You sick monster... lol

Hmm... I hadn't really given much thought to selling the extra, but Atlanta does seem to have a dearth of places to buy live feeders at a reasonable price. Definitely something to consider.