. . . so after the eggs are laid

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

Hey Everyone. So Im just studying the breeding end of Ball Pythons and I feel that I do have it all down packed except for a few things. I just have a few more questions that I want to ask. I wont be trying breeding for another 2 to 3 years and after that maybe more time until I feel completely sure and comfortable that this is what I actually want to get in to.

So my first question is, do the snakes usually hatch in the incubator and if so is it always on point with the time expected to hatch?
My second question is after the young have hatched, are they all housed separately as we would do with every other ball or is it okay to keep them all together for a little while??
My third question is where do you go to look for possible customers and clients??

please Add whatever you feel is necessary to add, thank you all in advance, i know I will get some very interesting and helpful answers

[mykee]

1. 52-56 days at 89 degrees.
2. I house my babies in two bins: boys and girls until their first shed.
3. There are a tonne of reptile classifieds sites online. I also deal with local pet stores.

[Wildside]

If you're gonna be breeding in NJ in the next 2 or 3 years. I might become a potential customer

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

how soon do you offer food after they hatch??

[alessia55]

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

how soon do you offer food after they hatch??

Usually after their first shed.

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

Originally Posted by alessia55

Usually after their first shed.

Alessia, will you ever consider breeding?

[alessia55]

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

Alessia, will you ever consider breeding?

Probably not. Reasons:
1. time
2. money (incubator, buying females, etc)
3. finding homes for all the babies / resisting the urge to keep the babies
4. space
5. I'd rather leave it to the "experts."

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by alessia55

....5. I'd rather leave it to the "experts."

Indeed I am. Always best to leave it in our capable hands.

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

I want to study to be an expert but I understand your reasons

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

I want to study to be an expert but I understand your reasons

In my opinion, all the reading ou can do will not be enough. Trust me, you are far off from having anything down packed. It is silly to believe you do. You may just set your self up to be disappointed and become fustrated.

There is so much that goes into breeding and most of your knowledge will come NOT from books or care sheets, but from your personal experience, mistakes and achievements.

It is good to ask "experts" all the questions you can think of. It will get you pointed in the right direction. Just letting you know everything looks easy when it is printed out on a sheet of paper or on a computer screen.

My advice to you is to go and try breeding and breed what you really like. Do it small the first season to see if it is really for you. It is not really hard to breed most reptiles. One of the hardest parts is keeping the breeders in proper condition before breeding and getting them back into proper condition after egg laying. You also need to be able to deal with the down side of breeding like the fact that you will eventually get problematic hatchlings that will refuse to feed. You will also get deformed hatchlings. What will you do with the hatchlings that are deformed to the point where they can not eat on their own? Are you ready to be able to euthanize the deformed hatchlings right away? To me, having to kill deformed hatchlings is the worst part of breeding. Luckily, I have varanids that will eat snakes without a problem. You also need to knw that there will be neonates that never make it out of the egg. Not every egg will yeild a healthy hatchling even if you do everything right. These are things to really consider before you take the dive into breeding.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Gregg M

In my opinion, all the reading ou can do will not be enough. Trust me, you are far off from having anything down packed. It is silly to believe you do. You may just set your self up to be disappointed and become fustrated.

There is so much that goes into breeding and most of your knowledge will come NOT from books or care sheets, but from your personal experience, mistakes and achievements.

It is good to ask "experts" all the questions you can think of. It will get you pointed in the right direction. Just letting you know everything looks easy when it is printed out on a sheet of paper or on a computer screen.

My advice to you is to go and try breeding and breed what you really like. Do it small the first season to see if it is really for you. It is not really hard to breed most reptiles. One of the hardest parts is keeping the breeders in proper condition before breeding and getting them back into proper condition after egg laying. You also need to be able to deal with the down side of breeding like the fact that you will eventually get problematic hatchlings that will refuse to feed. You will also get deformed hatchlings. What will you do with the hatchlings that are deformed to the point where they can not eat on their own? Are you ready to be able to euthanize the deformed hatchlings right away? To me, having to kill deformed hatchlings is the worst part of breeding. Luckily, I have varanids that will eat snakes without a problem. You also need to knw that there will be neonates that never make it out of the egg. Not every egg will yeild a healthy hatchling even if you do everything right. These are things to really consider before you take the dive into breeding.

Words of wisdom right here.

Most people go into breeding anything like it's rainbows and lollipops. That they'll get everything to work right if they just follow steps 1,2,3. It doesn't quite happen that way. Breeding reptiles doesn't always end well like Gregg mentioned on the deformities and such.

[OSMDEATHOWNER]

Thanks, I think thats was one of the most helpful and honest things Ive heard lately