Quality over Quantity Breeders...

[galenwbritt]

Well, I am just curious on what some other people think on a few topics. I have always had a few questions and never really had any reasoning to ask them.....so here it goes.

I am in the "pre-breeder" phase right now but as of next year will be officially inducted into the club of makers.......LOL. Once that happens, I would like to know some hints/tips/tricks/rules/etc. what is required of a well respected breeder vs. a random hobbyist who is not in it for the reputation but for a quick buck.

Personally, I think if you are going to bring life into this world then you ought to treat each and every life as if it was your own keeper. Whether you plan on actually keeping it 6 months later is another thing, but what if it is one that you don't plan on keeping, as it is not in your future plans. Do you feed it pinkies every 3-5 days until you sell it? Do you feed it until it gets started eating (like 10 times) and then just feed it once a week? Do you feed it just enough to not see spine showing? Do you feel good in selling a 6 month old corn at 12 grams? A yearling at 33 grams?

I don't know, but I can understand there is a big difference from 30 hatchlings a year to 100. I also understand there will be a big difference from 100 hatchlings to say 3000 in a season. What is the breaking point (if there is any) where the snakes go from being treated as your personal snake to another mouth to feed until it finally gets sold? Or, when do you decide that it is time to start a program and have ALL of your snakes follow it?

Obviously, this is more on average of new hatchlings to say 6 months old or so. I know that things will change in feedings once they become yearlings and beyond.......so I am just sticking with the young ones as people will have more of those 99% of the time. I have stated previously that I know what "I would/will do"......but until that time comes, all my words are just hot air. Until I actually get to 100 hatchlings, 1000 hatchlings, or whatever, I will not KNOW exactly what it will take. Thats the reason for the thread.

It may be a secret to some of you and you may not want to share..........to others it may not matter and you have no desire to say anything......and still to others it may be an interesting and welcomed topic. Personally, seeing how this is The Source that is "A morph above the rest", why not ask the best.

Any and all comments are welcomed as I think this may help out some of the younger ones who may become big time in 10-20 years. Or, it may just help out the local person who is only wanting to produce 30-50 snakes a year and be happy with that. But, either way this will be for the ones who want to learn and do it correctly.

Basically, any and all help in the "good guy" policy that will allow some of us younger, less experienced people learn in the shoes of the forefathers and become quality breeders like yourselves. We have quite a few on The Source and it would be neat to hear any "war stories" or "golden rules" that have been learned along the way. Just remember, even with the ACR and the BOI out there and getting used frequently, people not knowing even the smallest details of this business can in turn ruin things down the road for a lot of others.

Just like the "Mistakes you have made" thread........this could be a good "Rules to live by" or "Top tips" thread.

Thanks for your time.

G