When did you start a Feeder Colony?

I began breeding my own when I hit about 8. Well technically I started breeding them before, but nothing too much. Now I'm trying to get my colony to the point where I provide for myself. I had to start breeding my own feeders because the drive to the store is about 20-30 min both ways, so thats 40-60 min worth of driving, plus the food bills is somewhere around $30-$35/week now. Its easier to just buy the food and bedding to breed my own. I feed 11 snakes a week (well 12 now) and two of my females are on a heavier feeding schedule so I can get them up to weight for the breeding season. (eating every 5 days instead of every 7)

If I were to be supplying my own, I would be saving about $50+ a month. I just need to expand the colony a bit and get all the rats on a schedule for breeding.

What about cleaning the cages? I hated cleaning rodent cages when I had them as a kid.

How often do you have to clean? It's still worth it, I assume, but what a pain.
Thawing seems so much easier for me and not really cheeper.
After figuring these costs: rodent racks, rat food, bottles, buying new stock, etc.

I just got my collection up to 7 snakes. Maybe I'll have a colony in the future? :confused:

I actually started breeding mice before my first ball over 18 yrs. ago. Now ( which is part of my business ) I breed mice,rats and rabbits for my feeder food and sell off my over flow to a few pet stores and to the public. I have over 50 snakes in my collection from small to the big ones. I also breed beardied dragons.

I JUST started breeding my own feeders at 72 snakes. LOL But most where pink eaters as adults.
But to make up for my mistake of waiting so long I have started breeding my own mealworms at just 1 gecko. :D But I will soon have many more.

In my opinion rats are much better to breed than mice. Mice stink and are mean, also my opinion. It is nice to save a dollar on each rat.

I've got 3 snakes and my breeding colony is just getting to the point where I'd call it established.

I don't think it's so much that it's cheaper for me to breed, as that instead of a 95 dollar bill every 4 months, I pay a small amount for food and bedding more regularly. It's easier on my bank account since I never seem to remember to save up for the big hit.

It probably is cheaper but I only just started keeping track of how often I buy food and bedding so I'll know soon how much I'm saving or if I'm coming out even. I know getting started was expensive but I figure it will even out.

started my ASF colony around 8 months ago,no need to buy anymore+ they lovem:gj:

Howdy all

Thanks for the great replies:gj::gj:

I'm now up to 6 Balls, with 2 more to follow, and am thinking seriously now of getting a breeding rack started pretty soon.

I've just found out that we get have African Furred Rats here (funny that, me being in Africa and all:rolleye2:) , but they are called Natal Rats, or Mastomys natalensis. They are not the typical rat type found in the pet stores so I'll need to track someone down that has them. I know a lot of petstores around my area so will check there first and see if they can get me a male a few females.

We are thinking about breeding our own mice. But haven't started yet. One of our friends is getting into breeding Balls, and we figure we can share the cost of the mice. But I am still researching to see if we will actually save any money only having one snake to feed.

my 1st herp is a corn way back in 2005. and i started breeding ever since then, cause there are no mice around. now i have 10 snakes. 4-corns, 2-milk, 2-king, 2-balls. im self sufficient... but now, my balls need 2 mice per feeding..