Troubles Breeding and Selling?

[Meletee]

I would very much like to try breeding this coming season if possible. My husband however is very, hmm.. I shouldn't say apprehensive, but cautious maybe. He has concerns about selling hatchlings not only because of the local market, but also he is worried that I ,personally, will have a hard time giving any of them up.

I understand his concern, as I am not wanting to breed in order to sell, I want to breed because I love my snakes and would love to see what they can produce, and to see those little heads poking out of their shells! I do wonder if I am going to be able to discern between an animal to sell and a pet. Thus my husband's concern. We currently have four ball pythons, one that we just got last night, and I already can't imagine selling any of them. I just feel that once an animal is in this home, it is family.

Does or did anyone else have this problem? Or am I just way too sensitive?

[Coopers Constrictors]

he is worried that I ,personally, will have a hard time giving any of them up.

This will be the hardest part ... I am very protective of my collection... I don't even let my friends in the snake room... it is kind of like my personal bubble.

Breeding teaches you a lot of things. Most of us have learned through trial and error, but as long as you do your homework and have everything set up prior to, and learn from the mistakes that others have made and shared, you will be perfectly fine. As far as selling them, well, you won't have any problems as long as you can convince yourself to sell them! lol... have fun!

[BHReptiles]

I would very much like to try breeding this coming season if possible. My husband however is very, hmm.. I shouldn't say apprehensive, but cautious maybe. He has concerns about selling hatchlings not only because of the local market, but also he is worried that I ,personally, will have a hard time giving any of them up.

I understand his concern, as I am not wanting to breed in order to sell, I want to breed because I love my snakes and would love to see what they can produce, and to see those little heads poking out of their shells! I do wonder if I am going to be able to discern between an animal to sell and a pet. Thus my husband's concern. We currently have four ball pythons, one that we just got last night, and I already can't imagine selling any of them. I just feel that once an animal is in this home, it is family.

Does or did anyone else have this problem? Or am I just way too sensitive?

For me, it was pretty easy. I'm very attached to my breeders and I do have my favorites. However, the eggs I get from my breeders I've already told myself will be sold. That helps me to keep pretty detached (but not in a bad way). I'm still able to care for ALL my babies but when it comes time to sell them, it'll be easier for me the sell the ones I've already told myself I'm selling.

[JaGv]

I understand how you feel about having to let go of your snakes. I have had to sell a couple of snakes that i had no plans on breeding or was going trough some tough times where i decided to sell them. it is always hard on me because i feel like each snake had their own personality that i was already used to. but at least i know they went to another snake lover that is going to care for them like i did and that's just something you have to learn when breeding.

[Meletee]

Thanks for everyone's perspective! I guess for me it will be more of an issue of emotional attachment, I get attached to things very quickly, especially anything I deem cute and or dependent. Like JaGv said, it may help knowing that any hatchling I sell is going to someone who will, if not love, appreciate it. I guess I will find out in 1-2 years if I have what it takes to be a breeder. My husband already told me I'm not allowed to keep every hatchling

[JaGv]

I guess I will find out in 1-2 years if I have what it takes to be a breeder. My husband already told me I'm not allowed to keep every hatchling

wait till he sees what comes out from pairing your lesser pastel to your bee and yellowbelly then he will probably want to keep some hatchlings.

[Meletee]

wait till he sees what comes out from pairing your lesser pastel to your bee and yellowbelly then he will probably want to keep some hatchlings.

Oh, I'm not saying he won't want to keep some hatchlings, I'm saying that I will want to keep all hatchlings! That is the problem.

[JaGv]

oh ok I misread.

[Meletee]

oh ok I misread.

No, I think you are right. He will be impressed with what comes from our future pairing (if we are lucky). I am more just concerned with the ones that will not fit into our future breeding projects. I am worried about having a hard time letting any snake go and am wondering if anyone else has had the same experience.

[BHReptiles]

You can always give it a try and if you can't pull yourself to sell them, make the decision not to breed anymore. If you can't sell your hatchlings and breed every year...that becomes A LOT of mouths to feed over the years