Next purchase?

[chaoticstone]

If you had a small collection and you were given a set $ amount. Would you buy, a single 3 gene quality male that would go good with your current single gene females or buy a 2 gene male and a 2 gene female that would likely produce the male you were thinking about in the first place down the road? I pretty much know which way I am going but wondering what other people on budgets do to increase the quality and numbers of your collections.

[TheSnakeGuy]

I originally wanted to get a single gene male and single gene female for my first breeding experience. After some luck in my search I found a male and female both with the single gene I wanted PLUS each one has another gene altogether. And all are co-dominant. So I have a shot at some great 2 or 3 gene babies. IF I get really lucky and hit the 4 gene, it will be a morph the world has not yet seen and hopefully my name will be added to WORLD OF BALL PYTHONS website. I know I'm being cryptic, I just don't wanna give it away. . . .yet. Since I only have 2 snakes nearly all of the babies might end up being multiple gene holdbacks or possible trades. This way I'm breeding my own collection of breeders instead of buying them. I might pick up a big female pastel and/or normal just to hopefully have 2 clutches. Can't go wrong with pastel. So exciting.

[Missvan]

Personally, if I was on a tight budget, I would go for two double gene snakes. When I purchased my most recent male Ball Python, I didn't have breeding in mind; I purchased a single gene Mojave. Now that I am looking at it from a breeding viewpoint, it makes more sense for me to have purchased a double gene male, and either a couple single gene females or one double gene female. I would do that if I could start all over, BUT, unfortunately, I get quite attached to an animal once I get it. I do believe in quality over quantity though, therefore if I found a stellar single gene snake, I'd be willing to pay a little more and wait a couple years for some of it's double gene offspring (rather than buy two not-so-stellar double gene snakes). I'm not in it for the $$ though, so I don't see it as "wasted time."

[MisterKyte]

I think if it were me, I'd probably go with a two-gene couple that would suit my needs (actually, I totally have one in mind) but I don't think you could really go wrong with a three-gene male that suits your needs. Would probably really be a worthwhile investment down the line too.

[RobNJ]

I would buy what I like, and not worry about number of snakes and/or number of genes.

I know I'm being cryptic, I just don't wanna give it away. . . .yet.

Did you not literally just post about this 2-3 days ago...mystic potion bumble bee or something along those lines.

[Royal Hijinx]

You prolly should buy females to raise up and worry about the male around a year or so later.

[chaoticstone]

I would buy what I like, and not worry about number of snakes and/or number of genes.

Quality is key with anything I want or buy which is based on what I like. The only snake I have that was on a whim was the first bp I brought home from a local show. While patiently waiting a few months for the female in which I paid for a female hatchling from. To lay her eggs, hatch successfully, then get a few meals in her, with the understanding if she didn't go I could put that towards something else. Shipping day couldn't come fast enough lol. I couldn't wait any longer to get one in the house so purchased a black pastel F while checking out the show. I have a triple gene male I am keeping an eye on and if his not sold when funds hit my account I will snag him up. If he is gone I will probably look around for another male I like and if it happens to be 2 genes I will probably add a female as well. To me quality is key not quantity, I will gladly pay more for a top notch animal. I really think about what I add to my collection and I try not to duplicate any genes I currently have in my collection because I have a good chance of reproducing it or hitting something even better. I will however buy an animal with multi genes that carries a gene that I already have but it wouldn't be the exact same morph.....Example I have a nice pastel but I bought an insane reduced bee.

[PigZilla50317]

Start Small and slowly Learn, watch, And listen to your peers who have failed before us so that we can today enjoy all that Ball Pythons have grown to offer.

[oskyle1567]

Like jinx said dont worry about males until the female ball pythons second year unless ofcourse the females are breeding size. I like the idea of you fifth choice though buy a lot of female normals and breed your male to all of them and keep the females back

[BPro927]

I agree with jinx. Buy 1, 2, 3 females. It'll be at the earliest a year and a half to 2 years before you can even breed them. Then regardless of how many females you buy you can put to the side 10,20 or even 50 bucks a pay check for the next year or two. Then guess what... 20 x 26 = 520 that's a good double gene snake. 50 x 26 = 1300! That'll be a damn good looking male for 1300!