Hey Aaron
Back when I was breeding in my peek I had between 75 and 100 breeding colonies and was producing 5,000 to 6,000 mice per month. I was selling them wholesale for between $0.25 for pinkies up to $1.50 for the nicer colored "Aurora Super Mice" (a stain of Satin English Mice). My monthly expenses averaged under $500 and I would seldom have many mice left at the end of the month.
Now this was back 8 to 10 years ago. Before the "super" chain stores had come into the North East. In fact the only chain around at that time was one called Dr. Pets. They had stores in NY, MA, RI, VT, and NH and a couple other states I can't recall. Even though they were in at least those 5 states they only had like 50 to 75 stores. And guess who they got most of their mice from
It was also back when family/ Ma & Pa stores who carried everything except dogs and cats were very popular. I supplied allot of these stores and all of the ones that specialized in reptiles. This was because my competitors liked to save a buck and fed cheap dog food. I was told several times that they had to feed their reptiles twice as much when using the other's mice then they did with mine. I also would exchange any of the mice I sold as "Fancies" or "Auroras" if they did not sell in a month’s time with new 4 week olds. This was unheard of before I started doing it.
Now a days I am not sure that I would start up an operation like this again. If I was going to I would first look into getting a contract with one of the larger chains (if that is even possible). However, I have no doubt that if you are in an area with allot of snake owners (be it pet snakes or breeders) and no one selling feeders you can make money at it. You won't get rich, but you at minimum will have free food to feed your own snakes and maybe even pocket a buck or two.
If you have any further questions feel free to e-mail me.
Jeff C.