How do medium sized breeders do it?

Small breeders have few snakes to care for big breeders often have staff. I want to hear from you medium sized breeders out there (100-200) animals. I am getting to the point where it feels like something has to give. It feels like as soon as I walk out of my room half my snakes need fed and half my tubs are dirty. I think what is making it feel overwhelming is that the wife no longer helps...never thought she helped much till she stopped LOL (Its not that she is against snakes, we had a child and her time is better spent that way than in the snake room). What do you think the largest collection one person can handle themselves. I know this is more of a vent / rant than anything but I honestly would like some input from those of you with collections this size as to how you manage cleaning, feeding, and the bane of my existence good record keeping (aka the part I suck at that my wife used to do)

Pic on nite/day a week and just get out with your snakes and work. The other thing is cleaning night is just that cleaning night, no stopping to look at the pretty snakes just clean water and move on.

I'm interested in the answers and comments on this also!

I take care of all my snakes by myself. At times I have 600 + snakes to deal with.

Just have to do it.

If you are feeling overwhelmed start cutting back.




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If you feel overwhelmed then it's time to cut back. It's a VERY hard thing to do when you've worked hard to build up your collection but if you don't then either the snakes will begin to suffer or you'll come to resent them. I currently have about half of the animals that I had two years ago. Maybe it's time to dump a few projects and concentrate on the ones you truly like the best.

I don't think there's some magic number that is "ok" for just one person to work with. Everyone is different in their abilities and in their priorities. Some people can handle LOTS of animals working solo, and some people can't even take care of a single pet.

I don't personally work with a large collection, but I've watched a lot of friends do so, and of course I've given it a lot of thought (dreams) for the day when I can start collecting all that I'd like. So here's some general ideas that I think might go a long way toward maintaining a larger collection on your own.

1. Get organized and stay disciplined. Decide which day is cleaning day, and as Ed said, on that day, you just clean. Don't get distracted by other stuff (taking pictures or playing with animals) until all the cleaning is done. Same with feeding day. Figure out a smooth, quick routine for getting the chores done, then stick with it.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff. If you're in feeding mode, don't get distracted by a little poop or urates in the corner. Obviously some big messes may need to be addressed asap, but even those can wait an hour or so until all the feeding is done and you can get back to the messy tub/cage.

3. Remember that no matter how many awesome animals you have, you'll ALWAYS find more that you WANT. Know your limits and stick with them. Even guys like Brian Barczyk can't have ALL the animals they want.

4. Don't be afraid to cut back if you find it truly overwhelming. Better to find good homes for the animals than to get caught in that quicksand that drowns your enjoyment of them.

Maybe look for a part time helper? Pay a middle school/high school kid that loves to work with snakes and wants to make a little extra money. Cheap help and he/she gains expirence. Otherwise time to cut back

If it helps at all I feed, water and spot clean all at the same time on the same night. While the snake is busy constricting it's rodent I'm picking out poo and dirty bedding and replacing with fresh, then fill the water bowl and shut the tub and move on. it takes about 3 hours to do my 200 or so doing it this way. I know that but it gives me the chance to do other things like update records, take pictures, or what ever any other time of the week.

I think everyone will have a different limit depending on their job, spare time, whether they care for their collection alone or not.

Since breeding snakes means also care for the rats, I have put my limit at 100 breeder snakes (does not include the hatchlings during baby season).

It's a hobby, I do not do that for a living and most importantly I want to really enjoy myself and not get burned out.

Well I only have three dozen ranging in size from garters to boas, and my husband helps, so it doesn't seem like that much to do. I think a lot of how much time/effort is required depends on how the animal is kept - I can clean out even the nastiest BP tub in just a few minutes, same for the colubrid tanks unless it's the monthly substrate replacement, and if one of the larger boas gets "artistic"... figure 15-20 minutes for a thorough cleaning/disinfecting of the enclosure and hides.

For feeding, I'd figure that just one day per week is set aside for it, and the only cleaning that day is for big messes. As was pointed out, a few urates can wait.

Automation will be your friend. With 100+ BP's I wouldn't bother with heat tape, thermostats, etc. and trying to monitor each setup to make sure no t-stats or heat tape are failing. It's much easier and cheaper to set the room temp at a steady 86*F and insulate it well. I would also put in an automated mister.

Keep spare water bowls on hand so you don't have to hand-wash them; new ones go in with fresh water, old ones go into the dishwasher.