Outlook On Breeding?

[BEasy119]

Well,

I have always been impressed with ball pythons. But I didn't get one until the age of 28. I love everything about ball pythons and I really enjoy the 3 I have. But now I come to the point where i want to become a breeder. But from the outside looking in I wonder is it worth investing in? I'm not getting into this just for the money, I actually can say that I found something that I love doing. Not saying that it's going to be easy.

SO TO ALL THE SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE BREEDERS! CAN I GET YOUR OPINION ON BREEDING PLEASE

[iCandiBallPythons]

If you play your cards right you can be as successful as you want to be

[spitzu]

Well,

I have always been impressed with ball pythons. But I didn't get one until the age of 28. I love everything about ball pythons and I really enjoy the 3 I have. But now I come to the point where i want to become a breeder. But from the outside looking in I wonder is it worth investing in? I'm not getting into this just for the money, I actually can say that I found something that I love doing. Not saying that it's going to be easy.

SO TO ALL THE SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE BREEDERS! CAN I GET YOUR OPINION ON BREEDING PLEASE

I'm just starting out with my collection, but I can share some things that I've learned lately. Understand first of all that it is expensive and time consuming. I have been spending at least an hour a day just cleaning up after my 18 hatchlings and 4 adults, and it takes another hour or two every 5 days to feed them all depending on how picky they're being. And that is just MY time... my wife is putting in her hours as well. Not to mention all of the time we "have" to spend handling them (that part isn't a chore ). Then there's the countless hours I have been on here learning from others' mistakes and tips, and trying to put them to use.

The tubs, racks, tstats, heat tape, substrate, cleaning supplies, etc... all adds up really quickly. I've also been spending about $50-70 per week on rats/mice because I can't start breeding my own just yet and I don't know any breeders around here. Also, buying the snakes themselves can be expensive, especially once you start justify getting them with the excuse that you'll be getting your money back in a few years, which you may very well not.

I really wouldn't suggest doing this until you think about your investment taking 3-4 years before it even (maybe) begins paying itself off. You need to have a love for the animals themselves (which you say you do), and understand going in that this is not a way to make a quick buck. It takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of necessary daily work to properly care for these animals, especially in bulk. Also, make sure you have a *lot* of free space if you plan on gathering a large collection, and a separate space for your quarantine room.

[BEasy119]

I'm just starting out with my collection, but I can share some things that I've learned lately. Understand first of all that it is expensive and time consuming. I have been spending at least an hour a day just cleaning up after my 18 hatchlings and 4 adults, and it takes another hour or two every 5 days to feed them all depending on how picky they're being. And that is just MY time... my wife is putting in her hours as well. Not to mention all of the time we "have" to spend handling them (that part isn't a chore ). Then there's the countless hours I have been on here learning from others' mistakes and tips, and trying to put them to use.

The tubs, racks, tstats, heat tape, substrate, cleaning supplies, etc... all adds up really quickly. I've also been spending about $50-70 per week on rats/mice because I can't start breeding my own just yet and I don't know any breeders around here. Also, buying the snakes themselves can be expensive, especially once you start justify getting them with the excuse that you'll be getting your money back in a few years, which you may very well not.

I really wouldn't suggest doing this until you think about your investment taking 3-4 years before it even (maybe) begins paying itself off. You need to have a love for the animals themselves (which you say you do), and understand going in that this is not a way to make a quick buck. It takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of necessary daily work to properly care for these animals, especially in bulk. Also, make sure you have a *lot* of free space if you plan on gathering a large collection, and a separate space for your quarantine room.

Thanks for the info which is really appreciated. Quick Question do you feed your snakes live or frozen? I'm hoping to get all my snakes on frozen. Then i want to invest in a freezer where i can store the f/t rats.

Then it's a site that if you order $100 or more you get free shipping!
http://www.americanrodent.com/

Hope my info was helpful. Thanks for the replies

[MitsuMike]

I would personally start with the 3 you have and go from there. Actually experience the breeding season with what you have. Even if it's normal to normal it's still an experience to see if this is actually something you want to do and it will give you some insight for future seasons.
Also the necessary evil to breeding BP's is breeding rats. You will prob need to get 2 racks going on rats and the over flow you can sell to local people.

[JLC]

I'm not breeding yet, but it is certainly a dream of mine when hubby finally retires from the military and we settle into a permanent home. But here are my thoughts about the issue...from the point-of-view of someone who is looking toward future potential as well....

As with ANY entrepreneurial endeavor, those with the right combination of business savy, work ethic, guts, and luck can succeed as much as they wish to. For MOST of us, it's simply a hobby that we hope will pay for itself because we love the animals so much. No matter what your ultimate goal is, success IS possible if one is willing to work hard enough and smart enough.

My advice is to take the time to really learn and absorb as much as you can. I've been doing this for years, and still feel like an utter newb on many levels. But the slow, deliberate process of learning will help you to refine and define what YOU really love and are most passionate about. It will also help you to build genuine relationships with other members of the community and you can build a good, solid reputation even before you begin trying to sell anything. You'll also learn who to trust and what red-flags to avoid.

Be very, very patient when it comes time to spend some money. Make sure you're working with a trustworthy person and not just jumping on the first exciting "deal" that comes along. Also, make sure you're planning your acquisitions carefully to build toward the projects that fascinate you the most. Most importantly, QUALITY animals make QUALITY offspring. Be patient and watch diligently for the very best examples of the morphs you love. Rather than just buying up the first lesser or pastel you see just because it's "the morph"....look for the ones with the most pleasing patterns and vibrant colors that will have the greatest chance of producing exceptional offspring. You'll never regret passing on an ordinary pastel...but you might someday regret not spending a few extra dollars on that amazing one that made your heart race.

Good luck!!

[BEasy119]

I would personally start with the 3 you have and go from there. Actually experience the breeding season with what you have. Even if it's normal to normal it's still an experience to see if this is actually something you want to do and it will give you some insight for future seasons.
Also the necessary evil to breeding BP's is breeding rats. You will prob need to get 2 racks going on rats and the over flow you can sell to local people.

Well thanks for the response. I want to have my collection feeding on F/T for a few reasons. For one I don't really have enough space to breed rats and my GF would probably kill me anyway. I breed mice once before when i had my redtail and them suckers stink. But i do feel that's a good way to bring some money into your hobby. Sticking with the three i have is a good idea also. Its just so many morphs that i want to work with. Once again thanks for your feed back

[BEasy119]

I'm not breeding yet, but it is certainly a dream of mine when hubby finally retires from the military and we settle into a permanent home. But here are my thoughts about the issue...from the point-of-view of someone who is looking toward future potential as well....

As with ANY entrepreneurial endeavor, those with the right combination of business savy, work ethic, guts, and luck can succeed as much as they wish to. For MOST of us, it's simply a hobby that we hope will pay for itself because we love the animals so much. No matter what your ultimate goal is, success IS possible if one is willing to work hard enough and smart enough.

My advice is to take the time to really learn and absorb as much as you can. I've been doing this for years, and still feel like an utter newb on many levels. But the slow, deliberate process of learning will help you to refine and define what YOU really love and are most passionate about. It will also help you to build genuine relationships with other members of the community and you can build a good, solid reputation even before you begin trying to sell anything. You'll also learn who to trust and what red-flags to avoid.

Be very, very patient when it comes time to spend some money. Make sure you're working with a trustworthy person and not just jumping on the first exciting "deal" that comes along. Also, make sure you're planning your acquisitions carefully to build toward the projects that fascinate you the most. Most importantly, QUALITY animals make QUALITY offspring. Be patient and watch diligently for the very best examples of the morphs you love. Rather than just buying up the first lesser or pastel you see just because it's "the morph"....look for the ones with the most pleasing patterns and vibrant colors that will have the greatest chance of producing exceptional offspring. You'll never regret passing on an ordinary pastel...but you might someday regret not spending a few extra dollars on that amazing one that made your heart race.

Good luck!!

Judy,

Thanks for your response also. I'm glad I found this website. It's a community where you can communicate with owners of reptiles and don't have to feel weird if you have a question. I spend a lot of time soaking up knowledge on here and I really do appreciate all of the feed back! Thanks for your help

[Don]

I think if you do decide to get into breeding, that frozen/thawed is going to be a lot more work than live feeders. With the two dozen breeders that I have, I could not imagine taking all the time to thaw out frozen rats then do the zombie dance with thongs getting them to eat one at a time. I buy some rats and breed some. If you set up properly, you can keep the smell down by changing the bedding out frequently.

Before you start buying up animals to breed, make sure you have a plan of what you want to do. What morphs do you want to produce or start with? How much time do you have to invest each week in cleaning, feeding and caring for the animals? Who is going to take care of your collection if you are out of town? What racks do you want to use? What racks will you use for hatchlings?

You will be investing a lot of money in quality racks, feeding, breeding stock, etc., if you do it right. So, take your time and do a lot of planning. Otherwise, you may end up spending money on things that you find later are a waste.

[BEasy119]

I think if you do decide to get into breeding, that frozen/thawed is going to be a lot more work than live feeders. With the two dozen breeders that I have, I could not imagine taking all the time to thaw out frozen rats then do the zombie dance with thongs getting them to eat one at a time. I buy some rats and breed some. If you set up properly, you can keep the smell down by changing the bedding out frequently.

Before you start buying up animals to breed, make sure you have a plan of what you want to do. What morphs do you want to produce or start with? How much time do you have to invest each week in cleaning, feeding and caring for the animals? Who is going to take care of your collection if you are out of town? What racks do you want to use? What racks will you use for hatchlings?

You will be investing a lot of money in quality racks, feeding, breeding stock, etc., if you do it right. So, take your time and do a lot of planning. Otherwise, you may end up spending money on things that you find later are a waste.

Thanks Don,

I've been researching racks and i came up with one i want as a hatchling rack and i have a home made 4 slot rack right now and might pick up a adult rack. Morphs i wan't to work with. Where do i start and where do i end. But i think i need to be patient and take my time. Thanks for the advice