BP noob, general questions - Page 2

Wildside · 07-08-12, 07:28 AM

franks I'm not sure if you're aware of this yet or not but BP's only lay something like 4 eggs. It's not exactly going to be profitable enough to support your hobby if only breeding two females. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you from breeding but understanding what you're getting into will prevent frustration.

**Aaron_S** · 07-08-12, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

franks I'm not sure if you're aware of this yet or not but BP's only lay something like 4 eggs. It's not exactly going to be profitable enough to support your hobby if only breeding two females. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you from breeding but understanding what you're getting into will prevent frustration.

On average it's 6 eggs. Anywhere from 1 - 10 in general.

With two females you can probably feed your adults for a year on the money you'd make. That's paying for themselves pretty well.

Wildside · 07-08-12, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

On average it's 6 eggs. Anywhere from 1 - 10 in general.

With two females you can probably feed your adults for a year on the money you'd make. That's paying for themselves pretty well.

That's assuming he gets 12 and most of them hatch. Also, I just wanted to inform him of the clutch size. It wasn't something I learned about BP's until I considered breeding them and started doing my research. It came as a surprise since I've seen litters of 30 some boas, cornsnakes throwin' off double clutches, etc.

**Aaron_S** · 07-08-12, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

That's assuming he gets 12 and most of them hatch. Also, I just wanted to inform him of the clutch size. It wasn't something I learned about BP's until I considered breeding them and started doing my research. It came as a surprise since I've seen litters of 30 some boas, cornsnakes throwin' off double clutches, etc.

I don't know about you but I breed ball pythons and I feed the entire collection of dozens with only a couple clutches. It wouldn't take 12 babies.

Ball pythons also have a larger market than boas for the most part and in general have a steadier price point based on the fact they don't toss out double clutches or 30 babies.

I just believe in working with what you like at the end of the day. Be it ball pythons, corns or boas.

mykee · 07-08-12, 04:43 PM

Quote:

"It wasn't something I learned about BP's until I considered breeding them and started doing my research."

You did bad research.

I've produced hundreds of ball python clutches and 90% of my clutches are in the 7-9 egg range.

Wildside · 07-08-12, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

You did bad research.

I've produced hundreds of ball python clutches and 90% of my clutches are in the 7-9 egg range.

That may be true... My research came by way of another forum. Anyway, what I discovered turned me off to the idea of breeding BP's.

franks · 07-09-12, 07:31 AM

From what I have been reading, you are right in saying I should expect about 4 eggs, but only from a females first clutch. I think she can produce 1/3 of her weight in eggs. The bigger she gets the more eggs she lays. Thank you for the heads up, I am not looking to quit my day-job, just looking to support or supplement my hobby. I want and will be purchasing a few ball pythons either way, I figured that I mine as well do my research and pick a financially smart breeding group. Long term goal is to end up with 2 males and 4 females all double gene royals. Between this, and a few rosy boa and corn clutches here and there, I am hoping at the very least to be able to feed all the lizards and snakes, and buy a few more lol.

But all this aside, because income generated from the royals is second to keeping them. They will be kept as display animals in custom enclosures, doted on and observed like the rest of my zoo.

**Aaron_S** · 07-09-12, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

From what I have been reading, you are right in saying I should expect about 4 eggs, but only from a females first clutch. I think she can produce 1/3 of her weight in eggs. The bigger she gets the more eggs she lays....

Where did you get this information?

I had a virgin girl who laid 6 good eggs last season at 1800 grams.

I don't think you should expect 4 eggs from a first timer purely because it's their first time. I have an inkling of an idea that this is from people who breed really small girls.

Wildside · 07-09-12, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Where did you get this information?

I had a virgin girl who laid 6 good eggs last season at 1800 grams.

I don't think you should expect 4 eggs from a first timer purely because it's their first time. I have an inkling of an idea that this is from people who breed really small girls.

The info/opinions derived from the internet are quite far-fetched compared to reality aren't they?

**Aaron_S** · 07-09-12, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

The info/opinions derived from the internet are quite far-fetched compared to reality aren't they?

Yeah that's why I stay away from all things internet....

Wildside · 07-09-12, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Yeah that's why I stay away from all things internet....

Except this place right?

mykee · 07-09-12, 10:34 AM

Quit reading stuff and do it.
Nothing is a substitute for experience.
Period.
Of the 300 or so ball python clutches I've hatched, maybe 10-12 were 5 eggs and under. This includes first time breeders.

StudentoReptile · 07-09-12, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Except this place right?

Your statement seems to imply that Aaron gets his husbandry and breeding information solely from this forum. I'll be honest, I don't know the man personally, but from his posts, I would imagine his last statement meant that he bases his advice and observations from the actual breeding experience of other BP breeders, as well as his own personal experience...not just regurgitating obsolete info from a book or website.

Wildside · 07-09-12, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Your statement seems to imply that Aaron gets his husbandry and breeding information solely from this forum. I'll be honest, I don't know the man personally, but from his posts, I would imagine his last statement meant that he bases his advice and observations from the actual breeding experience of other BP breeders, as well as his own personal experience...not just regurgitating obsolete info from a book or website.

Actually it was meant to be a joke referencing the fact that he just posted on a forum on the internet.

mykee · 07-09-12, 10:38 AM

Bingo. Reading is good but to take everything you read as The Truth is bad. You need to Do it to truly Know it.