Looking to start breeding! What do i need to get started?

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

You could, but I don't see the point if you'r eonly going to have 2 snakes for the next couple of years. SOunds like you're planning on getting more snakes ;)

Those boxes are too small for a female ball python, though.

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How about the 4 tub CB70 from Animal Plastics? Decent price @ $260. And I might plan on getting more, we'll have to see how things go :D
Also with the racks I plan on getting a Herpestat 1

I dont see why you feel the need to jump into buying a rack at all. As a previous poster said, go with tubs, their cheap, easy to move and since you will only have two snakes there is no reason for a whole rack. I also say this because there is a lot of I likely will, I should have, kind of stuff going on with your posts. You likely will have an apartment or a duplex, ok, well what if you dont and you live in the dorms, where they do not allow snakes. I dont want to discourage you, but as others said a lot will be changing in your life in the next few years. You also said you just got your first BP two weeks ago, how are you keeping her, are your temps ok, what kind of cage is she in, two weeks is NO experience at all, and you jump into talking about breeding. How about you get your second snake, shelf the breeding thing for a few years, and learn to care for and enjoy the snakes you have, learn everything you can about them. So that if or when the time comes that you want to breed you will know what you are doing. Jumping into such a huge responsibility a couple years before going to college might not be the best idea. And again, with hatchlings, the earliest you could breed would be in two years, wait, learn, make sure this is really something you want to do and can manage while attending school, and working full time.

Just as a quick example, my electric bill should be no more than 40€ a month, with my snakes and my monitor my electric bill is 120€ a month, thats like 170$ a month, just electric, now add about 20-30 plus € a week for feeders, depending on who is or isn't eating, and the hour plus every two days I spend in my snake room cleaning, changing water, all this, and I have what I consider a small collection. And I will tell you there is such a thing as 'empty bin syndrome' you will always want to add something more and fill those empty slots. I say take it slow, go with what you got, and when you are in college, about the time you would be able to breed, see if its really something you can manage.

Sorry, I know I likely repeated myself multiple times here, just something I always do.

To add on to what eatgoodfood said,

I am a college student at the end of my college years (senior) and I have lived in an apartment the whole time. When I first started to have to pay rent and bills it was a transition, your whole perspective on your wallet and what you can buy changes. And depending on where you live, rent can be expensive, mine is $900 for a one bedroom not including utilities (it gets close to $1000 when you factor those in). Plus, electricity will cost you extra, my electric bill jumped about $8 (keep in mind I only one two snakes and no rack system). Space wise, don't assume you will have enough, the more spacious the apartment, the more expensive the rent. Everyone wants that big apartment, but there are only so many to go around. Before breeding I would at least start looking around at apartments and seeing the prices, ask about utility bills, etc. Furthermore, not all landlords will allow you to keep snakes, I have yet to come across any law that says landlords have to let you..... point being, don't assume anything when it comes to apartments.

On the university end, it is nothing like high school, high school was child's play. Professors expect you to turn things in on time, be there for tests/presentations, and the assignments in general are a lot more time consuming. Adding to that, many professors don't care if your snakes are sick/dying they expect you to preform all the same. I just want you to be aware how time consuming college can be, I juggle college and my snakes fine, but I don't have much of a social life (the price I willingly pay).

I'm not trying to be discouraging, I just want you to be fully aware to what you are getting into.

If you guys read back on page one, he already stated he would wait to breed.

That being said, I think if he is willing to wait, but wants to have 2 snakes while going into university, a rack is a good idea. They are a heck of a lot easier to deal with than single tubs (the lids get irritating when you just want to check on them) and also IMO, leave less opportunity for error/escape. You don't have to worry about if you put enough clips on, did you remember to clip back after changing that water etc.

As far as space, you can't get much more space efficient than a rack. Hell, a 3x cb70 can double as a night stand in a pinch.

I agree with a rack. It looks neater than having tubs just sitting out and I found it way better to keep temps regulated with the flexiwatt and a thermostat. The lids too were a pain at feeding times.
Don't get a rack with too many empty slots that you don't plan on filling soon. Empty rack syndrome is no myth lol.

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Originally Posted by Michelle Tonkinson

I agree with a rack. It looks neater than having tubs just sitting out and I found it way better to keep temps regulated with the flexiwatt and a thermostat. The lids too were a pain at feeding times.
Don't get a rack with too many empty slots that you don't plan on filling soon. Empty rack syndrome is no myth lol.

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if you get me, would you get the 3 or 4 tubs?

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Originally Posted by tomjones456

if you get me, would you get the 3 or 4 tubs?

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I got a 4 slot rack for my adult females. I currently just have the one female in there but I have a white diamond and a gargoyle that will go in there when they bigger and someday a pastel pied. I kinda thought about how much I can handle down the line as far as breeding goes. Right now the younger ones are in a 16/32 5 slot rack.
I would gauge it on what you can afford now and in the future. Rat pups cost me .90 but medium rats are 2.25 which I think is a really good price but try x's that by the number of snakes you have and then by the number of feedings in a month....it adds up quickly.

Patience!

Maybe pick up a few females this year.

Enjoy raising them up and pick up a nice male or 2 next year.

Ball python/reptile breeding has been a great hobby for me. Keep it fun!

IMO Females need to be 3 1/2 years old to breed. Plenty people breed them younger though.

Definately recommend a rack system for keeping multiple ball pythons.

Just a little bit of my 2 cents. LOL Staying involed on forums like this has also been a big part of my hobby.

lol $1000 a month won't get you very far the second you move out...most of that will be your rent alone

If ur gonna have two recessive girls that are hatchlings, i would go for a 4 tub rack, and raise up the two girls for the next two years. Once they are 2.5 years old, start shopping for one or two double gene males that are het for clown or albino. Once the male is old enough, the females should be ready....then youll have some sweet projects :D Two pair should be manageable enough for you. Good luck!

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