Breeding as a hobby - which direction to take?

[bassistjon112]

I agree about getting a rack.

[Punkymom]

Geez do I really need a rack that big? Okay so what do you all recommend? The Vision rack is $639 plus shipping and it doesn't even come with tubs! I was kind of hoping to start out a little smaller with 3 or 4 breeder size females. I'm a single mom with 3 kids working a minimum wage job. I'm making ends meet with my little job and saving a lot of money (considering what I make) per month but at this rate I won't be breeding until 2016!!! My set savings for my snakes is $100 a month. If my paycheck is over what my budget is set for then anything extra goes into it and sometimes I make tips. Those go in there, also.

[heathers*bps]

Build your own rack. It's so much cheaper. If your not good at those things, see if you can find someone to help you.
Also check out Craigslist, sometimes people sell racks on there for pretty cheap

[4Ballz]

snakes will always be there, but they will need a place to go right?

Def/ get the Enchi, and remember, the age of the snake, so if it is young, you will have awhile before you can breed it. So, lots of time to save up either way :-D


I'm in the same vote as you. New hobby, and learning experience. I just picked up a 5 rack (pvc setup), scored it for $200. So, shop around, and try and find some deals.

good luck

[Stewart_Reptiles]

2 of which are 50% het for albino.

I'm not really too terribly impressed with the albino gene.

Based on those 2 I would not bother trying to prove them out.

It could take years for you to do so with a het albino female.

You might luck out the first 2 years and it could be 3 years before one of those boys proves if they even prove, and in the meantime if they don't you would not really produce anything really valuable on a retail standpoint (I sell possible hets wholesale at normal prices)

Additionally since you are not impress with the gene why even bother spending what could be the next 6 years producing normal looking animal if you have no interest in the gene especially considering the price of albino now.

Food for the thought.

[JennM]

Build your own rack. It's so much cheaper. If your not good at those things, see if you can find someone to help you.
Also check out Craigslist, sometimes people sell racks on there for pretty cheap

Ditto! You can go to HomeDepot or Lowes. Get the coated melamine sheets. Ask them to cut it for you as well. You can make a 5 tub rack for really cheap. Here's a link to give you an idea. The biggest expense is the t-stat and heat tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEyNBUUf-SA

You can look through here as well:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/forum...y-and-Supplies

Good luck!

[EverEvolvingExotics]

Based on those 2 I would not bother trying to prove them out.

It could take years for you to do so with a het albino female.

You might luck out the first 2 years and it could be 3 years before one of those boys proves if they even prove, and in the meantime if they don't you would not really produce anything really valuable on a retail standpoint (I sell possible hets wholesale at normal prices)

Additionally since you are not impress with the gene why even bother spending what could be the next 6 years producing normal looking animal if you have no interest in the gene especially considering the price of albino now.

Food for the thought.

^^ I was thinking this exact thing the entire time. ^^

I'd personally sell both males and get something you'd rather work with. I love the albino gene, have you seen a black pastel albino? With the prices of albinos it's really not worth trying to prove out poss. hets. I'd highly recommend getting at least one big proven normal female and a nice male you'd like to work with, whatever morph you like the most that fits in your budget. I'd also recommend getting a hatchling female that fits in your breeding goals to raise up for the next couple or so years. There are many morphs that fit into your budget. You don't want to rush into anything. 3 nice snakes to start off with is perfect, plus you have the potential for a single pairing around a year from purchase or sooner if you get a male with some size.

As for racks I'd build my own for cheap. If you cannot or do not want to build your own I'd recommend these: reptile basics, animal plastics, or C Serpents for more affordable pre-built racks.

[apple2]

IMO you should look at the guide to morphs on this site, choose something you like and go for it! Depending on what you choose (designer morphs), it might be a two or three generation project, but you'll eventually get a snake that you love!

[bassistjon112]

I would not build my own rack but buy a quality one. If you buy a nice one(new or used) it will last a lot longer then any particular board rack. The difference in price of building your own and buying one is not that large any ways. But it's your choice so choose whats best for you.

Oh and I chose animal plastics economy line. Works very great for me.

[Punkymom]

Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I won't get rid of my 2 guys. Simply because they're pets and have sentimental value. I like the economy AP racks and I'll be going that direction! I plan on attending the reptile show in Atlanta in October and picking up a girl then. I'd like either an enchi, a pin, a spider and/or a normal to begin with. Possibly a pastel if it's a nice one.