Few questions

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Hey all!

I would like to know, i breed mice(when i get to my full production)i will have alot of surplus, i found i could have a pretty good profit for myself would it be ok to sell them from a range of 40 cents for pinkies to 75 cents for adults? Also, what sould i expect to pay(average) for small feeder rats, chicks, and quail? Thanks.

Chris

[annieb_mice]

Hi Chris...
How many do you consider a "lot of surplus" mice? Also... what do you feed your mice? and how do you package them? You can make money at feeder breeding... but be aware that there are LOTS of people out there doing the same thing. :) The prices you are considering charging at the same as mine are currently, which are pretty much the normal price for most breeders.
As for rats and such... well... I think that totally depends on the breeder and the size of the rat. Small rats can range in price from $1.50 - $2.50 depending on who's selling them. Check around to compare prices and quality. :)
Good luck... and take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

I feed my mice a special seed mix(some bird seeds)that accounts for about 35:35% for what goes in, 10% alphalpha pellets, 10% compressed rodent food made for mice, rats, hampsters and gerbils, 6% variety hampster chow, 4% crushed low fat dog food(for protein and a bit of size and strength). I also throw in the occasional veggie or fruit if we have extra pieces around the house. Oatmeal is occasionally put in aswell.

As for my alot of surplus, i expect to have about 120 breeders, and probably about 350 surplus mice. For my breeding scale its alot of surplus cause im only starting. Those prices i gave allow me to make some money while keeping the feeders cheap. The food i have is also very inexpensive for me to aquire as i just steal some of my rabbits food, dogs food, and the seeds i get for 3.50 for a pretty decent sized bag. Basically, the ammount i get in my mix will fill a large ice cream pale from an ice cream shop(if you have seen them they are about twice the height and same width as a regular ice cream pale from the store). I get my stuff pretty cheap and i get 5 square feet of aspen bedding for $4.99 lasts me a hell of a long time. Thanks.

Chris

[annieb_mice]

Sounds like a pretty good diet, though I would recommend taking out the alfalfa pellets as most mice don't eat them. If you notice yours eating them, by all means keep them in the diet. I was just suggesting a way to cut your costs a bit more... :) Aspen is a pretty good bedding and you are getting it REALLY cheap. I can't find it that cheap here in B.C. I'm curious... what is your male/female ratio in your bins? Do you use bins? LOL! I have three different sizes of bins, for different "projects." In the small bins, I have one male/two females. Medium bins one male, three females. Large bins <about half the size of a ten gal aquarium> one male, four females. The medium and large bins hold my "feeder breeders" while the smaller bins hold my fancy mice like long hairs and satins and tigers. I figure if I'm gonna breed them I can have fun too. :)
Anyways... I wish you the best of luck in your venture!
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

That sounds a little like me! I use rubbermaids. My "feeder breeders" are 1 male to 6 female ratio in those. I put all my feeder into classes of bins. I use large ones for availible feeders. I put my sattins that i play around with genetics in large icecream pales. Sorry i will finish later, im in school.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

I use another set of rubbermaids to house "my" breeders. I have 5female:1male ratio. My mice do eat the alphalfa pellets however im going shopping today and if i find another type of food(rat/mouse food) thats cheap i will switch to that. I realise i am getting my aspen REALLY CHEAP. I asked my dad(he gets them for me) how much they are and when he said the price i just about fell over. ITS ALOT OF SHAVINGS TOO! I also, as you say, do have "fun" breeding the sattins though im just gonna be getting the rest by saturday.

BTW, it was a lunchbreak at school and i had about 5 mins.