Aspiring Breeder. Needs Tips, Advice, Has Many Questions :D

[WingedWolfPsion]

Hello, I plan on getting in to breeding BPs in a few years, I would like any tips for a first time breeder. I plan on getting some nice base morphs soon like a Spider, Mojave(s), maybe even a Fire(s). I don't really want to get in t huge projects I just want to breed a few for my self ;p

Some questions I have are..
What are some books to buy for breeding BPs ? I have a book on genetics I got from vmsherps.

The Complete Ball Python, by Kevin McCurley

Rack Systems? How and Where can I find a decent one? Can I make my own?

Animal Plastics. You can make your own, if you have the time, space, and know-how (and a router).

Heating for all of your snakes? What kind of heating do you use?

Flexwatt or heat cable controlled by a Herpstat thermostat.

How?where do you sell your babys?

Advertise online on Kingsnake, Fauna, Oodle, and everywhere else you possibly can. Vend at a local show.

Bringing up babys?

There's a learning curve. Read up carefully on tricks to encourage difficult starters, you will have a few every year.

Incubators? Homemade vs Bought?

I use Hovabators controlled by a Herpstat thermostat. Ball python eggs are amazingly delicate and you may get deformities and deaths if temperatures jump above 91 or fall below 87.

Where do you buy your supplies from?

Big Apple Herp, the Bean Farm, Spyder Robotics, RodentPro, and Animal Plastics, mainly.

How to tell when your snake is mature enough to breed?

Males should be 500 grams and have good body condition. Females should be 1500 grams and have good body condition.

Should I invest in female or male morphs?

Male morphs, and adult female normals, to start out. Later, you will want female recessive morphs, and other female morphs.

If there is anything you would like to add that I didn't ask I would love to know!

Don't let them tell you it can't be done, but do it smart--if it's a business, run it like a business, and pay attention to all the numbers. If it's a hobby business, pay attention to your numbers! If it's a hobby, expect to lose money. Never find yourself in a position where you can't feed your animals, or take a sick snake to a vet.