Breeding for two snakes?

I have a female corn snake hatchling who refuses to eat frozen/thawed (believe me, I've tried all the tricks) and only eats live mice and I have a female 200g ball python girl that only eats live rats. Currently, I'm paying about $9 a week on feeders for these two but this will only go up as they both get bigger. I usually bulk order my rodents online because it's cheaper and I only have to buy rodents twice a year.

• Do you think it's cost effective to just breed my own food? These are not my only snakes. I have 2 other ball pythons and 5 other corn snakes to pick up the leftovers if needed or I can sell them to other people or my local pet shop who's always short on feeders.
• I was thinking of maybe having a 1.1 colony of mice and a 1.1 colony of rats. Do you think that is too little?
• Do you think it's even worth it in the long run?
• Since I would have to keep my rodents in my closet (no where else to really put them because my family is not really fond of rodents), how bad would they smell and what could I do to reduce that smell? I know mice smell awful and rats are fairly clean. I would be worried about my clothes and bedroom smelling.

Your opinions are much appreciated. I'm really on the fence about this and have been for a little over a month.

$9 a week is nothing.

I'd just buy.

9.00 a month you can have my bill at 300.00 plus per month:D

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if you're only breeding for 2 snakes $9 isn't alot. but breeding your own feeders isn't too bad, but maybe a colony of 1.2 would give you enough feeders for 2 snakes. as for breeding in your closet NO on mice lol as for rats in a small walk in closet they will still stink it up since there is no air circulating.

I think your saying you have nine snakes? If that's the case can your corns eat rats like fuzzies or pinkies? I'd go 1.3 if its nine and they can all eat rats. Mice smell so so so badly I hate them lol I just started rats a month or two ago and they don't smell bad an are just as cute lol

Where are you buying your feeders that it costs $9 a week to feed a hatchling corn and a 200 gram ball...that's insane!!!

Technically I'm paying $9 to feed two snakes (20g corn and a 200g ball) every 5 days. It's rediculous. I hate paying that much.

Yes, I do have 9 snakes...soon to be 10. Eventually I will breed food for all my snakes. I'm just living at home for the next 18 months while I'm in nursing school so I'm only thinking about breeding what I need until I can get me a room and a rack to breed them in.

as for feeding the corns rats, I've thought about doing that, but the corn who only eats live is just barely on small fuzzy mice. A rat pink is too big.

ive considered getting me some "pet rats" that just happen to provide food for my snakes...lol.

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

Where are you buying your feeders that it costs $9 a week to feed a hatchling corn and a 200 gram ball...that's insane!!!

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That's crazy. I thought the pet store prices here were nuts lol

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

That's crazy. I thought the pet store prices here were nuts lol

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God...I hate it. $2.75 for a fricken PINKY MOUSE. I get two pinky mice (or a fuzzy if they have them small enough) and the crawler rats/rat pups are $3.50 a piece.

Look for a local breeder. Are there any reptile shows near you?