Gerbils

Its not what you think. I have no intention on breeding gerbils to feed to my snakes. I was in the store getting feeders yesterday and the guy that works there was talking about one of his ball pythons. He said "She will only eat gerbils. I've tried rats and rats scented with gerbils and the only thing I've gotten her to eat is an actual gerbil. They are just so expensive though and I can't breed them where I am."

He told me if I were to breed gerbils for him, he would pay for the feeders as well as possibly set me up with a nice snake when he breeds his snakes.

I'm wondering if this is worth it. I've never even had a gerbil before, much less bred them. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? I understand what the guy is talking about. Gerbils are very expensive to buy, especially when you have to buy them once a week. So how hard are gerbils to keep and how hard are they to breed? Since I'm going to have my roommate build me some rat racks, I'll have some available glass tanks to use as enclosures.

Oh and the guy that runs the store told me that if I ever had extras of mice or rats, he'd buy them from me. He's always looking to buy feeders, so I might expand my colony and start selling feeders.

Why doesn't he just breed gerbils? FT?

He said he doesn't want to breed them himself. I guess he doesn't want to take the time to feed them, clean their cages and stuff. He also said he doesn't have the space.

I'm just wondering if its worth my time to breed them for him.

Tell him to feed them ASF.

I guess the question is, is it worth it to you?

I personally wouldn't want to deal with even MORE rodents to give a guy a few, chances are the cost of keeping them is not going to cost you any less than what he is paying now for what he needs to feed them.

Get what I'm saying?

To me, time, energy and out of pocket costs to raise ANY feeder is likely not going to be worth what he is willing to pay.

First, figure out what it would ACTUALLY cost you. Not, "well I'll have extra of this a month", or "I can make due with this much bedding"...

Actually sit down and figure out how much per rat you spend now, (total per month, divided by number of breeding (ADULT) rats) and use that amount per breeding gerbil you need to have to supply him with enough gerbils per week.


When you have that figured out, compare how much he is willing to pay you to how much it costs you to just feed and home the gerbils. Then take into account how much your time and energy is worth and see if you come out wanting more from him, or if what he is willing to pay is enough to satisfy.

That's what I would do definitely. Raising any animal takes time and work, don't get short changed because the guy promises you something down the line for your hardwork. Get paid up front. :cool: