When to start breeding feeders?

[CntrlF8]

Ok, general question for you all...

At what point would you consider it a good idea to start breeding your own feeder rats? I'm sure I'm not there yet, I've only got 2 BP's who cost me a total of about $3 a week in rats, and I'm sure raising my own would be more expensive than that. At what point though, would you say the cost/benefit of switching to raising my own becomes attractive enough that it's more or less a necessity?

[catawhat75]

When I went over 12 snakes is when I started breeding my own feeders. I still pick up feeders at the local show once a month as well, and also use frozen. It just became less expensive this way than to go to the local reptile shop as they charge $3 a peice for the small rats. Oh, and if you do at any point decide to breed your own, I HIGHLY recommend Becky's rodent feed mix- they love it and it is so much more healthy that any premade mixture out there. My colony is doing awesome on it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I started when I reach 10-12 BP I think,

You have to realize that if you get involve in breeding your own feeders, it will save you money however this will mean more work for you as well.

Questions are, do you have the time to commit to the extra work do you have the means to house and care for a rodent colony? If so breeding Rat & Mice can be fun, and it is very rewarding to know that you provide your BP with high quality feeders.

[jglass38]

Good points Ingrid!

I started late at about 25 snakes or so. I am now self sustaining most of the time except when I screw up and my production takes a hit. I am terrible at planning rat production. I always have a freezer full of frozen rats and I have some mousers that get F/T.

[lord jackel]

I started breeding feeders at about 8 snakes. I now breed rats, mice and ASF for the 30+ snakes I have.


I like Jamie am not that good at planning my breeding...but luckily I never have too few I always end up with too many (typically they get too big to feed) so I have an agreement with 2 local pet stores that buy the excess rat and mice feeders. I also raise "fancy" rats that I sell for much more as pets (I have been breeding fancy rats for 15+ years).

Between selling the extras to pet stores and the fancy rats I have been lucky enough that my breeding colony is self sufficient (meaning that all the bedding and feed I use is covered by those I sell)...which in turn means my snakes eat for FREE.

[jglass38]

I started breeding feeders at about 8 snakes. I now breed rats, mice and ASF for the 30+ snakes I have.


I like Jamie am not that good at planning my breeding...but luckily I never have too few I always end up with too many (typically they get too big to feed) so I have an agreement with 2 local pet stores that buy the excess rat and mice feeders. I also raise "fancy" rats that I sell for much more as pets (I have been breeding fancy rats for 15+ years).

Between selling the extras to pet stores and the fancy rats I have been lucky enough that my breeding colony is self sufficient (meaning that all the bedding and feed I use is covered by those I sell)...which in turn means my snakes eat for FREE.

I wish I could consistently end up with too many!

[catawhat75]

Great point Deborah about the extra work! I honestly think the rats take more time and effort than the snakes. I have been using aspen and carefresh as bedding (Oh and Jamie thank you so much for your Woodypet post, I found a place close that carries it and am going to try it!) and it has to be changed much more often, not to mention I handle all my breeder rats everyday. Then again I only have about 20 so that is not an impossible task as I know at some point I know it will be.

Jamie, you can't be as bad as I am about production. I have gotten into and out of breeding so many times in the past couple of years. I tried so hard to get everyone on frozen but decided once and for all that live is just the way for me to go other than a select few who take frozen on a consistent basis. I think I have finally gotten it all worked out (I hope, please please please) and now at least all the rats are out of the house and into the garage.

[catawhat75]

I wish I could consistently end up with too many!

Me too!

[jglass38]

Me too!

Let me know if you figure it out!

[lord jackel]

I wish I could consistently end up with too many!

Just decide you really like alot of the males ...I have 4 more male breeders than I need so they produce much faster than if I was rotating a smaller number of males. Good and Bad I guess.

You could also make an agreement with a local pet store to take your extras...then just up your breeding stock (given what I feed and the cost of bedding/food) it saves me $100's a month doing it this way.