Considering breeding?

Just wanting some basic info/advice from breeders. I'm still in the early stages of research before I decide if it would be a good idea or not :) I'm not expecting to make much, if any money from breeding. I was just wondering what morphs would be good for a start up, how much it cost you to start (and maintain), where your setup is, or any other tidbits of info you'd want to share with someone who's thinking about breeding someday?

Following this thread, because I'm also in the same spot.

But I believe it depends on what your goal is in breeding and how many ball pythons exactly you're planning on breeding... For me, I'm just breeding to obtain one or two specific morphs (albino x black pastel het albino) to obtain albino black pastels, and that's it. So in that case, it really wouldn't take much in comparison for me to get started, equipment-wise. And not much of a hassle of setup placement, being just the two parents' tubs, an incubator, and a single rack for the hatchlings.

And... just after my own research, breeding really doesn't get back much cash (if anything, we're more likely to lose money in the long-run. Ball Pythons are a quickly depreciating commodity LOL), especially if you're just starting up and not a big-name breeder or someone with major creds. Do it only for the sake of interest and enjoyment in the experience.

For morphs good to start up... it depends on your budget and what your goal is. Any big cash really comes in only if you have a LOT to invest to create something new OR find out what the next big thing is and drop the big $$$ in buying the rare parents. Or else, just pick the morphs you enjoy.

I remember reading in another thread that someone had dropped $60,000 for his whole collection for breeding purposes, and ended up selling the whole collection for $15,000 a few years later.

First get a rack, buy females first and raise them for a year before even bothering getting a male. Buy what YOU like not what other like there is something for everyone out there http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/ but ultimately YOU will be the one caring for those animals for the next 30 years.

After the that it's research both on genetic and breeding itself those are good laces for a beginner http://ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding/, http://ballpython.ca/gallery/genetics-101/

Most IMPORTANTLY ask yourself the right questions, is breeding the right thing for YOU.

Can you care for several breeders, can you care for several hatchlings until they sell (which can take time), will you buy or build an incubator and hatchling rack (think about the cost)?

Do you have a reliable supply of live feeders to get your hatchling started, or will you breed your own feeders (time and cost to take in consideration as well)?

Will you be able to let go and sell the animals when the time comes (not everyone can)?

Are you prepared to deal with defects, death etc (those are inevitable when breeding)?

Etc

The morphs that would be a good start up are the ones you like and are passionate about. Some people like bananas, some like bumblebees and others like the albino pieds. It's all your call on what you feel you want to start out with. Most people start out as closet breeders and their collections grow from there. I will say to you to always keep your animals health first and that means reading up on the care and husbandry of ball pythons first. And don't be afraid to get on the phone with the big breeders like Ralph Davis and Garrick Demeyer who are more than happy to talk to you about breeding and the business of breeding. Good luck and also right here on bp.net there is a wealth of information about genetics and breeding balls. :D

I'm not planning to start a big breeding project! Very small scale. Probably one male and one female- I'm not even sure if I'll do it more than once, in case I end up keeping some of the babies. Definitely expecting to put more money in than I'll ever get out- I'm not really in it for the money. I already have a normal BP but I'm not sure if I should buy a male that's a morph (down the road) or use him. I'm still at the point where I'm looking at females and waiting to find the right one, and then I'll have to raise her, so it'll be a few years. Just wanting to get all the info now instead of later.

I'm looking to breed small scale also. Not even for money just trying my hand at it. I just want to make sure I have all the information I can get.

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