breeding business. how to start up???

ErikBush97 · 10-16-13, 12:28 AM

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 · 10-16-13, 12:34 AM

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

ErikBush97 · 10-16-13, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

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 · 10-16-13, 12:51 AM

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

ErikBush97 · 10-16-13, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desipooh.12

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 · 10-16-13, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotsaQuestion

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 · 10-16-13, 01:00 AM

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 · 10-16-13, 01:11 AM

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 · 10-16-13, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotsaQuestion

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 · 10-16-13, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

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 · 10-16-13, 04:59 AM

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 · 10-16-13, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 10-16-13, 05:12 AM

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 · 10-16-13, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotsaQuestion

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 · 10-16-13, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotsaQuestion

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.