Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this question must get asked a lot and from reading the post right before mine, two of us are asking it today. Just to preface - I have done several searches ahead of time trying to looking up this topic and if you would like to just point me in the direction of an older post, that's fine with me!

Ok, anyways here it is - What would most of you experienced breeders consider a good beginner project for a first time breeder? I'm very interested in the genetics side of breeding and would be doing it mainly for the love of the breed not for a huge payback. Breaking even would be nice though. Just curious what types of morphs would be a good investment for my first go. Albinos perhaps? Maybe pastels? Would it be best to start with hets? Opinions? Thank you for any comments you guys may have. I know you are all totally swamped with your new clutches! I've enjoyed seeing all the pics.

p.s. Anyone going to the show in Litiz, PA this weekend? Not sure how many PA herpers are on here.
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Amber

1.2.0 Ball Pythons - Tucker, Trinity, & Tyler
1.0.0 Snow Corn - Aiden
0.1.0 Pueblan Milk Snake - Marishka

2.1.0 Dachshunds - Dakota, Montana, & Cheyenne
5.0.0 Ferrets - Tigger, Bailey, Cody, Keyta, & Bandit

Snag a male pastel as they have become VERY affordable. Breed it that year and produce pastels. That year if you are successful you should be able to break even or even make some money.

Producing albinos or any recessive for that matter will take you longer. I'd say a large portion of people that have gotten into the ball market started with pastels.
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John Light
JL Exotics
Contact Me
Web Site

I agree whith the Patels as a good starting point. But Get into the project (morph) that you like, what would you like to see pip out of the egg, thats what makes what we all do worth it in the end. Just have fun, it's all about the snakes, any $$$ you make is a bonus.

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www.trueimagereptiles.com

Thank you for the advice. I wouldn't mind seeing a few babies pip out of their eggs looking like that beauty on the bottom of your post! Pieds are definitely one of my favorites.

>>I agree whith the Patels as a good starting point. But Get into the project (morph) that you like, what would you like to see pip out of the egg, thats what makes what we all do worth it in the end. Just have fun, it's all about the snakes, any $$$ you make is a bonus.
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>>www.trueimagereptiles.com

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Amber

1.2.0 Ball Pythons - Tucker, Trinity, & Tyler
1.0.0 Snow Corn - Aiden
0.1.0 Pueblan Milk Snake - Marishka

2.1.0 Dachshunds - Dakota, Montana, & Cheyenne
5.0.0 Ferrets - Tigger, Bailey, Cody, Keyta, & Bandit

Well when I decided that I liked BP's enough to breed them (LOL, that didn't take long mind you) I picked up a trio in the spring of '03 hatchlings from late '02. The following year I got a rack and adopted 3 from the local society all turned out to be males, they needed homes I don't mind. I bought 5 CH baby females that summer as well and that fall I got a het Orange Ghost male. For x-mas I got a Het pied male and 4 CBB females. So far this year I have gotten a pastel poss het orange ghost male that hopefully will get up to size for this fall as I will actually have some females that will be ready this fall too, but I have certain females that will pair up with the hets so that I can get hopefully poss hets for the future.

I guess what I'm saying is get what you want to breed. What is your favorite morph, if you want a quicker return look at a pastel male and some normal females but if your funds are limited this year buy your females, and then next year pick up your pastel, might have a female ready for fall '06. Lots to think about if you can afford and find breeding size females then get them and a pastel male for the quickest return. I like watching mine grow though from hatchling to adult, its part of the fun, not that I wouldn't buy an adult female if the price was right LOL
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons

A Pastel is the best way for a beginner to start. Spiders are coming down in price and are not a bad way to go either.

Beginners should always buy co-doms. Since you are a beginner, nobody will know or trust you to buy your hets. Just ask anyone that has tried to sell hets without a "name" on Kingsnake. They'll buy a Pastel from a crack head if the price is right though.LMAO

See yah a Lititz....Maybe.... I haven't decided if the show is worth losing my weekend nights.LOL

Good point about the hets. Thanks for bringing that up! I can understand people wanting to buy from a trusted source. And a newbie would have to earn that trust first. I really am a good girl though! lol

>>A Pastel is the best way for a beginner to start. Spiders are coming down in price and are not a bad way to go either.
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>>Beginners should always buy co-doms. Since you are a beginner, nobody will know or trust you to buy your hets. Just ask anyone that has tried to sell hets without a "name" on Kingsnake. They'll buy a Pastel from a crack head if the price is right though.LMAO
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>>See yah a Lititz....Maybe.... I haven't decided if the show is worth losing my weekend nights.LOL

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Amber

1.2.0 Ball Pythons - Tucker, Trinity, & Tyler
1.0.0 Snow Corn - Aiden
0.1.0 Pueblan Milk Snake - Marishka

2.1.0 Dachshunds - Dakota, Montana, & Cheyenne
5.0.0 Ferrets - Tigger, Bailey, Cody, Keyta, & Bandit