Time to start breeding my own?

[Lolo76]

After acquiring 4 new snakes this week, I am now up to 7 Ball Pythons in total... I went to get their feeders today, and it was ridiculous! I had to get EIGHT adult mice, two hoppers, and a rat weanling - for a grand total of around $20. My female snakes are picky, as one will only eat mice, and the other won't take F/T or pre-killed anything. So basically I'm stuck with weekly pet store visits, and spending $20/week on the prey. Methinks it might be time to start breeding my own?

I don't want more than one cage/tank, so I'm thinking of just getting one male & one or two female mice. I'm wanting to stick with mice for a few reasons - smaller, less smelly, less adorable & sweet (I feel a little guilty feeding them ) IMO, and mostly because one snake is a mouser only. How do you recommend I get started, and will it be worth the trouble? Also, where should I get my breeder mice? I've had rodents in the past (guinea pigs & hamsters), but have never owned mice... this lady at the pet store was saying they're easy, so was she right? TIA for any advice!

[pavlovk1025]

Mice stink I dont know how you figure theyre less smelly lol. I breed ASFs for mine because they are very low odor. If breeding mice is anything like ASFs, its easy...put em together...feeed and water...wean and feed.

Edit...forgot to add..
To start:
I picked up a 1.2 colony, and gave them their basic necessities for a happy healthy life. I waited 1.5 months and got my first litter. Dont really know what else to say...

[Lolo76]

Unfortunately, ASFs are illegal here in California - why, I have no idea!? So I'm stuck with either mice or rats, and figured mice will be easier... and yeah, I know rats stink too.

[Lolo76]

Btw, what are their needs in terms of temperature? I really don't want to keep them in my room (mostly for their safety b/c of my cats), and was thinking about the garage instead... it's pretty mild here year-round, so maybe with a small heat lamp they could be happy in there?

[pavlovk1025]

I have no idea. My ASFs live and thrive in 70+. Id think mice do just as well in equal temps.
Heres a handy link for ya...
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/mouse-cs.htm

and this too
http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Mice

[nixer]

mice like it much colder than asfs.

[Lolo76]

I went to Petco and bought my breeder mice today... the guy gave me a hard time, though, when I asked for a male & female. He said "we're not supposed to sell them for breeding - or as feeders" (despite the fact that I've bought feeders there before ). So I replied "Oh, I meant to say they're pets, and I have another cage at home." He rolled his eyes and got them for me, LOL. They're set up in a little cage now, with a water bottle, food, a chew toy, wheel, a sleeping (strawberry) hut, and a toilet paper roll. Now we'll see if they decide to do the bom-chicka-wow-wow...

[omnibus2]

Unfortunately, ASFs are illegal here in California - why, I have no idea!? So I'm stuck with either mice or rats, and figured mice will be easier... and yeah, I know rats stink too.

Because everything is illegal in california, including piranhas and freshwater rays. I know, it sucks.

"I went to Petco and bought my breeder mice today... The guy gave me a hard time, though, when I asked for a male & female. He said "we're not supposed to sell them for breeding - or as feeders" (despite the fact that I've bought feeders there before ). So I replied "Oh, I meant to say they're pets, and I have another cage at home." He rolled his eyes and got them for me, LOL. They're set up in a little cage now, with a water bottle, food, a chew toy, wheel, a sleeping (strawberry) hut, and a toilet paper roll. Now we'll see if they decide to do the bom-chicka-wow-wow..."

^ Yeah, I hate how petco's policy is like that. Anyway I'm glad you managed to buy them, and good luck with breeding them.

[nixer]

bom-chicka-wow-wow..."

[snakelady]

Good luck. FYI: It could take 2 months before you get your first litter. Depends how old they are.
I started with one colony now a year later I've got four.