so im wondering?

[andyspythons]

if you want it go for it my ball pythons make me more then i put out now that said it is not my job but it will be one day it is just for fun now

[jacob985]

now i never said it would only be BP i plan on multiple types of snakes and reptiles.

[Matt K]

I think all previous advice still applies to someone breeding multiple kinds of reptiles. Breeding other reptiles just means you need to diversify in husbandry as well, which means different rooms for different reptiles, different enclosures, heating requirements, diet requirements, etcetera. You will not only need to breed rats for example, but also mice, crickets, meal worms, roaches, and the likes. I like your tenacity though. Don't give up on the dream if you feel like you have what it takes, but please make sure the animals don't suffer from any over-ambition on your part. I think people who rush into this business end up cutting corners to make more profit--the Big Daddy's Wholesalers out there. Ask Brian from BHB, he'll tell you to watch out, often times trying making this hobby into a business kills the joy you had for it in the first place. It's a LOT of stress and a LOT of work, 24 hour 365 work. You'll have to deal with crappy customers, liars, cheats, as well as your own issues that come along with animal care. I don't know anything about you though, so this is obviously just a blanket statement. I don't mean to comment on your abilities physically, mentally, or monetarily to start what could grow into a profitable business. As others have stated though, make sure you know you're more than likely going to need a very large upstart cash injection, and perhaps a few connections to some good importers to really get started. The best way to make money in this business is to gamble an investment on a really stunning animal that was collected through an importer, and start on the ground level of a morph. If they're in low supply, the demand is going to be greater, and you can charge a lot more for people wanting to get in on the ground level. Anywho, good luck in whatever you decide to do. Just remember, if it kills the joy for you, it's not worth it, and if you think your animals may suffer if you fail and can't make ends meet, it's even more so not worth it. I wish you all the best though, hope it works out for you.

Cheers,
-Matt

[Kyle@theHeathertoft]

I'd like to someday break even. THAT'S my goal.

I'd love to make money from snakes but I'll consider it a good deal if I break even someday, LOL. I'm not about to quit my day job!

[jacob985]

yea i dont plan pn not having a day job

[akaangela]

I agree with the others. I used to raise, train, show and breed miniature horses. You think wow easy money. WRONG, are farm is no longer a farm. Think of it this way. You have one female and 2 males. You introduce both males to that female and HOPE that you get a babie from each dad. You wait till she ovulates......you wait and they each get a turn to lock with her.......you wait till she dose her pre lay shed....you wait till she lays her eggs.......WOW now you got eggs BUT wiat......you wait till the first baby pips.... the excitment builds you think you see the color you want will it be YES it is a xyx girl, ok good I can keep her and in 3 YEARS breed her. The next one pips....it is a normal.. oh well that happens. The next one pips... YES it is a xyx male, he is nice but not exactly what you are looking for. And so on

Out of a clutch of 8 you get 100% hatch rate. 1 or 2 MIGHT be (if you are really lucky) Killer quality to hold back. So you have spent a year to get 8 babies. During that year you have had to clean, feed, heat, and take care of this one animal.

My point is this is NOT a business that has a quick turnaround. Yes you might buy 1000 girls and you might get 1000 clutches so say you get 8000 babies.... They you have to PRAY you can sell them. While you have them you have to get them started, feed, water and take care of them. All that cost money, but more than that it take something more valuable TIME.

Sorry for the ramble but snakes and horses take forever to finally get a baby. Only difference is (if you are lucky) you get more babies from a snake than a horse


I would like to know how many breeders (with say more than 10 females) get 1-2 keepers in each clutch. What is the rate you get that WOW.
I know of one big breeder said he spent big bucks (I think it was $10000) for a snake that proved that the trait he had was NOT passed on. Can you imanige that kind of loss? That is the kind of risk the top breeders that push forward the standard have.


LOL I am not that kind of gambler. I like the co dom traits at least I know I will get (hopefully) one baby morph!

[j_h_smith]

i don't know of anyone that can make money by JUST breeding snakes. You can make enough to pay the bills and maybe make a few dollars, but to make it a career, no, don't try it.

Jim Smith

[mason]

now i never said it would only be BP i plan on multiple types of snakes and reptiles.

You mean the other repitles that sell for literally pence on the wholesale market?

We're in the UK, not the states, but it's even worse over where you are. Imagine how many adult corn snakes, boas, rainbow boas, beardies, leos (ETC ETC ETC) you'll have to produce to make money when the average baby sells at $5-$50

This year we'll produce hundreds of corns (fingers crossed etc). Arond 20-30% of those we will be able to sell at 'full price' to other breeders (ie not shop retial but above wholesale. The remianing babies go out to pet shops etc at a fraction of the price. This all goes to heat and feed the collection.


Then don't forget that theres nothing to say all of our royal pairings this year (or indeed any!) will take, and then if they do 3 out of every four eggs could be a normal male or a het male or a poss het make again worth pence.

Then theres the time, space, effort and money it takes to house and raise all these hatchlings.

People took you to mean only ball pythons mainly because this is a ball forum but also because they are amongst the only reptiles that that sell for a higher price (and you spoke of making a living at it).Sorryfor the assumption.


What other species are you planning on breeding? you'll have to consider their different husbandry, food and space requirements etc aswell as the eventual wholesale and private sale prices. Best of luck to you, but i'd look into the financial realities of it a bit more.

[j_h_smith]

now i never said it would only be BP i plan on multiple types of snakes and reptiles.

Most of us have given it a try once or twice. No reason you can't learn from the joy of breeding reptiles only to find once you pay for the electric bill and food for the critters, you realize that it's not paying me anything to do all this. At that time, you will have to decide on doing it for money or for the love of the animals.

Welcome aboard!
Jim Smith