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help i want to start breeding my balls

Read, read, read and then ask questions, ask questions, ask questions and then read and ask some more questions.

Here are a few links that should get you started.

http://www.ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding.html
http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/breedingcalendar.htm
http://www.joecompelreptiles.com/ball_bits/recipe/index.asp

Keep in mind that every breeder does things a little different. That dont make any of them wrong in what they are doing, it is just proving that there are many right ways to accomplish successful breeding.

Once you have read a little and have specific questions be sure to ask, and ask again. From many different people. Get as many opinions as possible. Soak them all in and then try to do what works best for you and your animals.
 
I would like to add, if your thinking of breeding normal ball pythons, the market is absolutely flooded with them. There are tons in animal shelters and rescue. The big pet stores already have contracts with breeders, so you won't be able to sell your babies to them.

Even if you find a buyer, after paying for food, heating, incubator etc.... You won't make big bucks. Lucky to break even.

That being said, I love the little buggers! but do to the lack of homes, I am decreasing and eventually eliminating the breeding of normals.
 
I think there's still a need for more CBB normals in the markets. The CH babies aren't exactly prone to thrive in the hands of a newbie.

I honestly don't think that stats on ball pythons winding up in shelters and rescues means a lot, because the ball pythons generally don't STAY there--they get adopted. If there are any animals that might have a problem being placed, it would be male normals, but they're still very appealing as pets.

We're not talking about giant burms that will eat the neighbor's dog here.
 
WingedWolf said:
I think there's still a need for more CBB normals in the markets.
Click to expand...
Not really. I have a normal male from a previous clutch and can't sell him even at $10. I have more than that in food in him. :shrug01:
 
Have you tried local classifieds? I don't see balls sticking around in the pet stores for long here. I have a couple of local people interested in my normal pastel sibs as pets who are just waiting for them to hatch.
 
WingedWolf said:
Have you tried local classifieds?
Click to expand...
Yes but then I get the idiots that want a cage included and can't seem to comprehend it when I say the price is for the snake only.
It's 10 friggin dollars. :angry:
 
Location, location, location.... that is one of the biggest factors when it comes to selling Normals. Some areas of the country have opportunities that other areas dont.

Some areas have frequent herp shows that allow you to easily move your Normals. Trust me, most people attending herp shows are looking for low dollar animals. You are going to sell ten $25 animals much quicker at most herp shows than you are a $250 animal. Let alone a $2000 animal. So yes, you can still turn a nice profit on Normals if you have the outlets in your area to sell them.
 
shrap said:
Location, location, location.... that is one of the biggest factors when it comes to selling Normals. Some areas of the country have opportunities that other areas dont.

Some areas have frequent herp shows that allow you to easily move your Normals. Trust me, most people attending herp shows are looking for low dollar animals. You are going to sell ten $25 animals much quicker at most herp shows than you are a $250 animal. Let alone a $2000 animal. So yes, you can still turn a nice profit on Normals if you have the outlets in your area to sell them.
Click to expand...

I'm lucky to be out in the sticks, but near an Air Base. I've a local pet shop who takes all the normals I care to part with... I trade for live food for my babies & the few older live feeders I have. But I'm not talking a ton of normals, just the few I produce each year.

We also move some of the simpler morphs locally. When he gets a request in he contacts me first to see if I have any... So I'd check with your local stores before making babies to place- it may be a good thing for you.
 
NorthernRegius.com said:
So I'd check with your local stores before making babies to place- it may be a good thing for you.
Click to expand...
I checked with them. The family owned shops do not want any normals and are only willing to pay $35 for pastels. They have no idea what morphs are and have tried selling normals het for spider in the past and got really mad when I said they are not hets. The person who sold them that clutch ruined it for the rest of us. The chains such as Petland and Petco have their own suppliers (which is kinda good since I don't really like how they care for their animals around here).
The only morph any could ID would be an albino.
 
SPJ said:
I checked with them. The family owned shops do not want any normals and are only willing to pay $35 for pastels. They have no idea what morphs are and have tried selling normals het for spider in the past and got really mad when I said they are not hets. The person who sold them that clutch ruined it for the rest of us. The chains such as Petland and Petco have their own suppliers (which is kinda good since I don't really like how they care for their animals around here).
The only morph any could ID would be an albino.
Click to expand...


im sure they make good cobra food :dgrin:

I better start running! LOL
 
SPJ said:
Well, I just sold him.

$5................... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Exactly!

care and food for a pair of Ball pythons for 1 year $100
minimum cost of incubator $50
let's say 6 babies hatch
6 x 4 meals each= $24
total spent $174

Pet store buys babies for $10, if your really lucky $20 each. $60-$120

Your in the hole for $54.

I've got people every where I go that are tired of caring for their BP's and want to give them to me. Shelters and Rescues are loaded with them. I'm outta room, I can't take in any more. I live near Sacramento.

Also, I have a bit of an issue with low priced/free animals. I beleive many people will think that since they only paid "x" amount of money for the animal, that it's life and care is not as important as an animal they paid more for.

sorry to hijack the thread, perhaps I should start another thread if anyone wants to chat about the current market situation
 
SPJ said:
I checked with them. The family owned shops do not want any normals and are only willing to pay $35 for pastels. They have no idea what morphs are and have tried selling normals het for spider in the past and got really mad when I said they are not hets. The person who sold them that clutch ruined it for the rest of us. The chains such as Petland and Petco have their own suppliers (which is kinda good since I don't really like how they care for their animals around here).
The only morph any could ID would be an albino.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear it's rough in your area Steve- hopefully the OP will check... (that's who I had initially posted to)- successful at breeding (as we know) is only part of the picture... developing a "face" in the community, getting buyers are also important things.
 
Hm, the babies are selling in pet stores here for 40 to 60, same as last year. I do think it's a local market issue.
I also think this is just a really bad year, and once the economy picks up again, so will the BP market, as people will have spare money to spend on things like pets.
 
Pet stores generally sell at retail prices. ;) I can see putting them on sale for 30 if the regular price is 40.

I am prepared to hang on to some of my babies if they won't sell this year, though. I can already see it coming, the way the market has been. I think it's wiser than selling them for nothing. The economy won't be this bad forever, it never is.
 
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