Hey guys,
I always strive to keep my costs down while giving the best care that I can for my animals---whether its the geckos, the parrot or Ihysius.
SO, I got to thinking, would it be beneficial to me to breed my own feeders? Keeping in mind that in the next year or so I plan to get more snakes (still debating another between BP, a hogg island boa, a blood, a jag carpet or rainbow boa---but thats for another thread) I'm looking at some pretty steep prices (not as bad as the 1.50 for a pinky at the local pet store) but still about 2.50 per medium sized rat even online and thats not including the $12 in shipping.
So, if you guys were in my position would you breed your own feeders? Keeping in mind that in the next year the total zoo count (gotta love living with friends who are just as animal nuts as I am) will be *at least* 1 BP , 5-6 adult breeding female & 3 male leopard geckos, 1 male and 1 female bearded dragons (the lizards get them as treats during the breeding season). So pinkies and other sizes wouldn't exactly be going to waste.
If so would you guys go with the ASFs or regular rats?
Of course there's research and supplies yet to be done, but I'm just seeing if economically setting up even two females and 1 male is worth it before investing in the whole set-up. Its gonna start costing me easily 15-20 bucks a month to feed just my BP if I can't think or something to try n get my costs down. I do have a monthly 'budget' for all my herps, and the more I can save throughout the year the more of that budget is put away for their vet check-ups at the end of the year or into supplements etc.