I want to start breeding bp

It helps to know what you want to make in the future. I would personally start with codoms and doms, but focus on codoms for the super form. You can make some amazing powerhouses in no time with just a few codoms.

I think the most important thing when starting up is to avoid focusing JUST on the fads. Right now BELs and Pieds are hot, but you have to think of all the people getting into the business right now hoping to capitalize on that. I figure in about four to five years, both of these will probably be going for about a quarter of the price breeders are asking right now, simply because: 1. they are RELATIVELY easy to breed for, 2. the number of het animals on the market for pieds is astounding, and the "material" to breed BELs are relatively cheap and easy to come by, 3. and people believe breeding these will bring in money quickly. Considering the soaring popularity of ball pythons as pets and how quickly people become completely enamored of them, there are hundreds of people hoping to get into breeding each day. Chances are, right now a HUGE number of these are going to be buying the "materials" to breed the hot "items," and the vast majority of these "materials" will be hatchlings that will take 3 years to raise up. 3-4 years from now, I worry that the market will be flooded with these easy, currently hot morphs. Instead, I would go for the morphs that provide building blocks for other morphs: pastels, spiders, pinstripes, mojaves, lessers, etc. If you can get multi-gene snakes for the price you want, definitely go for it! Sure, breed for BELs and pieds, but don't focus on these alone. And while it's always important to price shop, make sure you're getting the best animals you can for your money. Since you're not looking for just a cute pet, avoid the browned out pastels that are on clearance, the underweight het pied that refuses to eat, etc.

But I think the best advice is really to focus on the morphs that you enjoy. Start it out as a hobby, and if you can turn it into a business from there, then go for it! :-D

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Originally Posted by snake lab

No offense but do you know how many pandas have been produced? I have about 6 grand tied up in that project at this point and no pandas. Or even close. Theres more to that project then just your basic genetics. Trust me.

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yes i know this. I did not once say that it is easy to do. He could get what he needs to try for them for about 1000. The chances are not the best either as ive already said and now for the 3rd time black pastel het pieds will go for a decent amount of money since everyone wants pandas now. He wanted to know what he could get for 1000 and make his money back. He could get a black pastel and a pied for about 1000. Ive seen a panda that was 20k. If he got lucky and produce one then just that would pay off itself but chances arent good

Not to thread jack, but here is my plan if/when I expand my collection for a breeding project (strictly a hobby, if I make some money, cool).

Currently have my male Pastel and I'd like to get 2 Normal females, a Mojave female and a Bee male.