Are you thinking of breeding??

[Thewolfmantom]

Hi All,
I just wanted to share some info to anyone thinking of breeding. I have been breeding about 4 years now. Well this year I didnt pay attention to when I was breeding my girls. So between mid april and the end of this month I have had 174 babys hatched.  Now I have built my racks and made space and spent a small fortune getting everything to the point it should be for good care for the babys. I set up the site to sell them and I think it gets nice traffic. However in this economy sales are slow, so the poopers sit here and eat and eat and eat...lol  I am going thru 20 thousand crickets a week not to mention bales of greens. I am not unhappy with this because I took the time to know what I was getting into. But ask yourself if you end up with babys that dont move or dont have homes yet. What does 20 thousand crickets cost a week?

[beardielover17]

good post tom, i dont think too many people take any of this into consideration...breeding reptiles isnt easy like breeding mammals

[ladyknite]

Good post Tom.

I think alot of people think that if they can't sell on line, they can just sell to shops.  But if shops aren't selling, you can't sell to them either.  Wholesale sickens me to some degree, but even with that option, that cricket bill still gets you if you remain ethical.

This is the time of year that we also see babies with severe injuries due to over crowding.  I just don't think they realize how much space it takes.  Not to mention time to clean, soak, feed and acclimate them to humans so that they do become good pets.  And if you have more than one species breeding at time, you're in even bigger trouble.

So, hats off for doing such a good job.

[Raptorry]

Dang 174 babies how many dragons do you have?  I have thought of breading them once but im scared to.  Means another cage or two to put the babies in and another cage to seperate the male and female and like you said thousands of crickets.  And Time and money.  When is usualy the right time of year to bread them.

[Thewolfmantom]

I have 3 males and 3 females. It was a very good season. Dragons will breed all year long if the mood is on them. This is from being in captivity. seasons dont mean as much. I still have so many because I refuse to comprimise my care. I refuse to sell before 6 to 8 weeks old. I wont sell in large lots unless I know what the end result will be. I spend a min of 2 to 3 hours a day just cleaning and feeding...lol

[ladyknite]

I spend a min of 2 to 3 hours a day just cleaning and feeding

Shame on you!  Tell the truth.  More like a min of 4-5.  And that's after the full time job.  You forgot to add in the time to feed and care for the food.

[Thewolfmantom]

Thanks all,
Fair enough lady I didnt mention the roach bins that need cleaning or the crickets that are starting to smell, or the time that i just spend playing with them.

[zebrajanie]

Since the only things i am interested in breeding are roaches I have to support what Tom has said.  Candice and Crystal as well as Gina are right... you must absolutely be prepared.  So consider. Then consider again !
Janie.

[Raptorry]

How many times did you breed to get that many in the season.

[Thewolfmantom]

Someone asked how many times I bred My girls this season for the number of babys. I bred each girl once.