I currently have 4 snakes with plans for at least a couple more and breeding this fall So I started my rat colony a couple months ago and well it has taken that long to just get some nice feeders so I would say start now. As for expense I have only spent about $80 for bedding and food to date so once they get breeding on a regular schedule it will be cheaper for my with only 4 snakes. I would Imagine with 10 snakes you sill save a little cash. The main reason I started breeding my own was because the store I was purchasing mine from went out of business so I bought some of their bredding stock But I am glad I did I know the feeders have been well taken care of a fed good quality food. Some of the feeder I have purchased from other sources were less the par with waht I wanted to feed my snakes