I don't want to be a breeder anymore

Regarding the water bowls, it seems that mine dry out a lot faster than your 3 weeks? I once went away for 2 weeks some years ago and when I got back the bowls were dry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Warren_Booth

I think this is a common feeling and one that many are going through but do not want to admit to. When I read this, I sit back and think "6 years is not time at all*, yet in this hobby people think that is a life time. I have animals I produced 6 years ago that I am only now feeling they have reached the size and maturity that I want them to be to breed. Then they second questions... "do I want them to breed".

I have said it from day one (21 years ago os so), the snake hobby is not one that you will become rich doing. You might make an income, but you could probably make that income easer (with retirement benefits, medical, etc) easier, elsewhere. The snake hobby really means that you are a glorified cage cleaner, and most don't realize that that is the least fun part of the hobby. With over 200 animals, I can imagine the stress that might create. I had over 100 up until recently when I decided to cut it right down. And this brings it to you r next comment "no-one wants to buy high end animals". That is very true. The market is so weak right now that people don't want to pay. So what did I do... I have a ton of them away to kids as pets. If you are looking to sell them all, there are four ways - 1) Individually at your full price (takes time and some will not sell), 2) in project batches at a reduced price (with racks, etc. again some will not sell), and 3) as a going concern (everything as is, animals, cages, etc) at a much reduced price), and 4) wholesale everything, at a massively reduced price. The option you take is your call. Many will wholesale the cheap, single gene "everyday" animals for cents on the dollar. But they all go out at once, instantly reducing your collection down (I hate using the term collection, as we are talking about live animals here). When you reduce your animals down to a more manageable group, that will ease some stress. The other thing would be to sell all non-snake species as they tend to require daily care. I go away on business (and sometimes vacation) frequently. Sometimes for as long as three weeks. As I only have snakes, I make sure the animals were not fded for 2 weeks prior (so unlikely to defecate), they get a large bowl of fresh water, the tub is left immaculate and with a substate that will absorb urine, and I lock the door behind me. I have been doing that for years. This might allow you to keep a group of great animals, still breed for fun, and enjoy all of life's benefits.

Finally, you mentioned an interesting term that many people get so wrapped up in this project "I made worlds first's, or firsts in my town/city". Does this really mean anything today, because 1) how many people are going to buy your worlds first for the kind of money you think its worth, and 2) how long before another one will be made. With the saturation of the market today, and the immense number of morph and multi-gene combos, making a worlds first is easy, and brings no major accolade. Unless you have imported directly a new and crazy morph from Africa, or one has appear from your breedings through mutation, worlds firsts mean nothing.

My advice would be to cut everything down to 25 to 50 animals. Snakes only. While the cheap stuff. Retain the high end stuff that excites you. Contact "breeders" with a sales list that is massively reduced in price to see if they want animals. Then, enjoy life. If you can get buy and enjoy life (vacations, family time, etc) and still have a handful of snakes, its a win win. Don't breed because you can, bred because you really want to make a cool morph/combo, and you would be happy to keep the babies or give them away. Thats how I look at every breeding I do. If you can enjoy life that way, there you go. If you still feel stressed, sell or give away the rest and get o with life.

Warren

---

Quit acting like a women.
Paycheck vs feelings