Quote Originally Posted by Pythonfriend View Post
i really like this article, and i always link it when people are in the process of deciding how to start:

http://ballpythonbreeder.com/2012/02...thon-breeders/
This is probably the best article I have read on getting started in breeding ball pythons. I have read it many times over the past 2 years to keep me on track.

The only thing I kinda disagree with is that I would buy Co-Dom/Dom females earlier if you can afford them. Buying your females earlier gives them time to get to breeding size if you can afford the initial investment. I think simple single gene female Pastels, Pinstripes, Spiders, Black Pastels, Butter/Lesser/Mojave, Fires, etc... are a great starting point. I started with 0.4 Normals, 0.5 Pastels, 0.3 Spiders, 0.3 Pinstripes and 0.2 Enchis to get my simple Co-Dom/Dom projects going. They are all up to breeding size and will likely all go this year (some went last year as well already). For slightly more I think a Super Pastel female fits into any almost program well to eliminate Normal hatchlings.

Add into your collection at least a few double gene powerhouse males. I have added a Nuclear, Enchi Fire, Enchi Pastel and Sugar Fire to my program to breed this season. All are in the 700-1000g range and locking those single gene and a few double gene females. The possibility of getting a triple or quad back requires a few nice double gene males along with some single and double gene females.

Look into a project you have some passion about and start buying females that will get you there- ie.... Blue Eyed Lucy??.... get a Butter/Lesser/Mojave female for under $200 and raise her up to size. By then you can save up for a nice double/triple gene male as prices drop that you can use with that project, and other projects as well..... a 1.0 Nuclear, Pastave, ButterBee/LesserBee, etc.... any of those males could be thrown to your other single gene females (Pinstripe, Pastel, Fire, Black Pastel, etc..) to get some nice clutches back (Lemonblast, Spinners, BumbleBees, Killerbees, SuperBlasts, FireFlys, Pewters, etc...). Any one of those males will likely only cost $200-$300 by the time your females are ready to breed. This is just one example of making your purchases count in adding some variety to your breeding program. One nice healthy male can handle 4-6 females easily.

Do your homework, research, and pick your passion. Start saving and looking to work towards your goal

I'm in my second season and might make a nickel this year if I am lucky. Just keep it fun and you will do great