breeding business. how to start up???

[ErikBush97]

Hi, everyone. I've been thinking about breeding since I've gotten snakes. I know that I for sure want to breed now... I won't be breeding for the next five years or more. I am going to put thousands of dollars into this and really do it right. I know the whole "to make a million dollars breeding, you have to spend two million" thing but if that's true how is BHB Reptiles in business??? Just using that as an example. I want to profit from breeding, and I can't stress that I will be breeding for the purpose of my passion for my snakes... However, I would like tomake money from it so I can afford more projects... What snakes + morphs should I start with if I really want to make a profit to support my future breeding projects? I have a million questions but for now, I'd just like to know how I can do this right... I don't want to be a little 'backyard breeder' breeding pastels and normal Balls.... I am willing to spend thousands per snake, if that's what I need to do to get started. Thanks in advanced.

[Mikoh4792]

What's wrong with backyard breeders producing normals and pastels?

[ErikBush97]

What's wrong with backyard breeders producing normals and pastels?

There's millions of them everywhere. A $60 pastel is more likely to be treated badly than a $800 clown, for example. I am sure it's inevitable that one of the babies I sell may go to a bad home, but if I buy an expensive snake, I'm certainly not going to take bad care of it. And producing common morphs really does no one any good, because there's already tons available, as I said before.

[desipooh.12]

Any reptile should be treated with respect weather it be a "common" or "high end" species.

[ErikBush97]

Any reptile should be treated with respect weather it be a "common" or "high end" species.

I agree. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. And I'd like to avoid my future babies going into bad homes as much as I possibly can.

[desipooh.12]

I agree. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. And I'd like to avoid my future babies going into bad homes as much as I possibly can.
I don't think I could sell the babies id want to keep them all

[Mikoh4792]

The argument can go either way. Just as many morph animals can be treated badly. An example would be power feeding for early breeding. I don't think having a high end morph has stopped anyone from doing that.

It's not that common morphs don't do anyone any good, it's that too many people breed too many snakes. What happens when the not so common morphs become common and less expensive? You'll just have to move onto the next morph. Then it becomes about money and not about the actual animal.

[ErikBush97]

Really good point, Mikoh. I still want to make some profit from breeding, though. Selling those low end morphs just isn't going to be a good financial plan.

[Mikoh4792]

Really good point, Mikoh. I still want to make some profit from breeding, though. Selling those low end morphs just isn't going to be a good financial plan.

No I agree with you, just didn't want to forget about the normals is all:)

[ErikBush97]

No I agree with you, just didn't want to forget about the normals is all:)

I love the normals from all snakes a lot. I love that they're naturally beautiful! I do own a Normal BCI, Normal Ball Python and a Normal Dumeril's. I love them all a lot just the way they are (as normals), but I am only avoiding them for the business part of this. Like I said... I really want to do this right and have an actual, legit business that makes income.

[smy_749]

BHB got started by grabbing the right projects 20 or so years ago, making $ and a name for himself. Times have changed.

Odds are you will break even or end up in the negatives, despite your number crunching and what not. Everyone thinks its easy until they try it. What happens if you buy a 3000$ snake, who fails to produce ?

[ErikBush97]

What happens if you buy a 3000$ snake, who fails to produce ?

I'd just be pissed. Lol

BTW: I never said it'd be easy and I know it wouldn't be.

[ErikBush97]

But you're really telling me that you cannot profit from breeding snakes? Who says "I may lose $*EXAMPLE* on this $*EXAMPLE* project, but I love the snakes, so whatever"? I am passionate for reptiles, but not to the point of throwing however much money away.

[smy_749]

But you're really telling me that you cannot profit from breeding snakes? Who says "I may lose $*EXAMPLE* on this $*EXAMPLE* project, but I love the snakes, so whatever"? I am passionate for reptiles, but not to the point of throwing however much money away.

Not saying it cannot done. Saying its difficult for You specifically. Going froom a collection of common snakes to making profit isnt how most of these guys do it. You work your way up, opportunities may come your way, cool projects may fall into your hands or they may not. The longer your around, the more likely it becomes. Im speaking from a business income perspective. Anyone can buy two hets, raise em and hatch something and make a few bucks...

[smy_749]

But you're really telling me that you cannot profit from breeding snakes? Who says "I may lose $*EXAMPLE* on this $*EXAMPLE* project, but I love the snakes, so whatever"? I am passionate for reptiles, but not to the point of throwing however much money away.

In this business, you are always chancing throwing your money away. Thats the point im making.

[lady_bug87]

my suggestion is to zero in on something you reaaally want to work with then talk to some breeders and ask them about the market, THEN start to consider morphs

[SSSSnakes]

I breed what I have a passion for and I either sell them or give them away to people I trust to take care of them. I would never invest in a breeding business at this time, when laws are changing constantly. Even Ball Pythons are being banned in some places. In NYC you can't keep Balls or Boa Constrictors. As laws tighten you may find yourself with a lot of snakes that may be illegal and can't be sold or shipped.

And the thought that just because you spend a lot of money on a snake you will take care of it, means nothing to some people. I run a snake rescue and get many high priced morphs and other expensive snake all the time. People with money who can afford these kind of snakes, don't care how much they spent for it, when they get tired of it they still neglect the snake. While I have had a few people ship a normal Ball Python to me at a great expense, just so the snake goes to a good home.

[Aaron_S]

Five years? It's difficult to predict anything 5 years down the line.

Pick the species you want to work with. Buy them. Keep them and see if it's really what you want.

The species that are gaining in popularity it seems are rainbow boas, western hognose and the blood python. All of them have morphs and seem to be coming out with even more as time goes on.

[ErikBush97]

Five years? It's difficult to predict anything 5 years down the line.

Pick the species you want to work with. Buy them. Keep them and see if it's really what you want.

The species that are gaining in popularity it seems are rainbow boas, western hognose and the blood python. All of them have morphs and seem to be coming out with even more as time goes on.

Thanks, AaronS. I appreciate it!

[ErikBush97]

I breed what I have a passion for and I either sell them or give them away to people I trust to take care of them. I would never invest in a breeding business at this time, when laws are changing constantly. Even Ball Pythons are being banned in some places. In NYC you can't keep Balls or Boa Constrictors. As laws tighten you may find yourself with a lot of snakes that may be illegal and can't be sold or shipped.

And the thought that just because you spend a lot of money on a snake you will take care of it, means nothing to some people. I run a snake rescue and get many high priced morphs and other expensive snake all the time. People with money who can afford these kind of snakes, don't care how much they spent for it, when they get tired of it they still neglect the snake. While I have had a few people ship a normal Ball Python to me at a great expense, just so the snake goes to a good home.

Really good points here, SSSSnakes. Really some stuff to think about.

[xSerpentGoddess]

I realize this thread is old but I must weigh in..

Normals and Pastels make great pets for the average person. No one in the market for their first snake or first ball python is jumping on even a $300 snake. And lets face it. The person buying the $800 snake probably has quite a few, living in racks, and never does more than feed and clean them. They're just breeders. (I know there ARE collectors that will spend that for a pet, but they are definitely the minority)

I'm not against racks, but I also make an effort to make sure the ones I keep in racks are handled and stimulated(plants, hides, etc). Most don't do this. There can be a huge difference between a friendly pet snake and a rack raised animal. There is usually difference in the offspring that come out of nice animals and nasty ones.

Before I get off topic..
Pastels and Normals may not be as valuable, but they are still sought out by some. And make great pets.