Breeding as a career?

[Kyle M]

Hey guys. So, I was just wondering about the viability of breeding corn snakes as a stable source of income and lifelong career? Is that possible? Or do a lot of you work another job on the side? I ask because, as everyone knows, it's ridiculously hard to find a "normal" job, particularly for someone like me. Someone who has only had one minimum-wage job and can't seem to get my foot in the door anywhere.

As I've mentioned in other threads, I plan on breeding corns and maybe bearded dragons. I'll make this clear: I am not doing this solely for money.. if I could make a bunch of beautiful snakes and lizards and give them away for free to good homes, I would. I absolutely love these creatures, and I want to be surrounded by them, that is the primary reason why I want to breed. I also LOVE what I've seen so far in the herp community. Everyone has just been incredibly helpful and nice and just all around great. I want to go deeper. So, any tips, hints, anything at all pertaining to breeding as a career would be great. Sorry if there's another thread about this... I should really search first, and i know it's bad voodoo to post this anyway but I'm terribly busy caring for my animals and mother. I just had a few minutes to sit down and write this. Thanks guys.

 

[ClutchItAllDay]

If you would love to do it, then just do it.

 

[NH93]

I think pretty well most people do it as a hobby. I have heard many a time, that breeding as a (single) source of income is extremely difficult to do. My guess is it would take YEARS to become established enough to even turn a profit. Sounds like you pretty much start from the bottom with producing normals, and go up to 'fancier' morphs from there. Which does take quite some time, I believe.

Personally I don't think it is wise to rely on snake breeding as a career. Some work hard and are patient and it pays off, but I don't foresee that being the majority.

 

[Kyle M]

I think pretty well most people do it as a hobby. I have heard many a time, that breeding as a (single) source of income is extremely difficult to do. My guess is it would take YEARS to become established enough to even turn a profit. Sounds like you pretty much start from the bottom with producing normals, and go up to 'fancier' morphs from there. Which does take quite some time, I believe.

Personally I don't think it is wise to rely on snake breeding as a career. Some work hard and are patient and it pays off, but I don't foresee that being the majority.

Yeah, I'm finding it a bit hard right now without a job. I had to borrow money and work for my parents to get my first snake. I'm looking for a job right now anyway because it's not fair to have my parents pay for my hobby.. and not really fun either. I'm definitely going to try to do something with breeding corn snakes, though. I can just try hard and hope that it will become something more than just a hobby.

 

[Shiari]

I make just enough money from breeding to buy mice for my adults and the babies and pay for the electricity they use up.

 

[Kyle M]

I make just enough money from breeding to buy mice for my adults and the babies and pay for the electricity they use up.

And you've got quite a few snakes, I see. Hmm.. that's definitely something to think about.

 

[ShelbyScott]

If I were you, I would read the sticky in this thread titled "Murphy's Law of Breeding Snakes" by Rich Z. It really shows you what you're getting yourself into when you decide to breed snakes, and all the surprising disappointments that come with it. I don't want to ruin your exciting idea, but I think breeding snakes would not be a good source of primary income. Great for a hobby though. I think you would spend more than you would make, especially with the bad market right now. Good luck in your ventures!

 

[Kyle M]

If I were you, I would read the sticky in this thread titled "Murphy's Law of Breeding Snakes" by Rich Z. It really shows you what you're getting yourself into when you decide to breed snakes and all the surprising disappointments that come with it. I don't want to ruin your exciting idea, but I think breeding snakes would not be a good source of primary income. Great for a hobby though. I think you would spend more than you would make, especially with the bad market right now. Good luck in your ventures!

I actually already read that sticky, but thanks for suggesting it Yeah it seems likely that I'm gonna be working another job too. I might just keep my collection growing and breeding and selling what babies I can and, if dreams really do come true (lol) I'll be able to open a modest shop or something someday.

 

[ShelbyScott]

I actually already read that sticky, but thanks for suggesting it Yeah it seems likely that I'm gonna be working another job too. I might just keep my collection growing and breeding and selling what babies I can and, if dreams really do come true (lol) I'll be able to open a modest shop or something someday.

Can't go wrong with a pet store! Lol. And that would be owning your own business (double-whammy!) You could be the corn snake expert in your area!

 

[Kyle M]

Can't go wrong with a pet store! Lol. And that would be owning your own business (double-whammy!) You could be the corn snake expert in your area!

Ahhh yes that would be so wonderful. I've always loved being around and working with and taking care of animals. So, that kind of thing where I could maybe help educate the local community about pet care in general would be awesome. I see a lot of people who really love their animals but have no idea what they're doing, or don't research and find out that their cute little pit bull puppy is gonna be a big animal, and an even bigger responsibility from day one.. or any pet at all, not just dogs. If I can help the animals I'll be happy

 

[NiklasTyreso]

Is there a big market for any pet animals?

People want fast online, not slow interests for animals that need committed owners.

The last ten years 30-40 % of the pet stores have closed down in Sweden, but US may be different?

Humanity (globally) eat more and more meat every decade.
It is probably easier to live on breeding highly productive cattle, pork or broilers than to live on breeding cornsnakes.

There might be a big market for bred snakes in China for food?
If the Chinese ate captive bred snakes then many wild asian snakes (like wild Thai cobras) would not be almost extinct.

 

[TyeW]

If I were you I would find something you really enjoy AND can make a decent living from and do that. Of course, you should continue to breed snakes but maybe as a smaller home-business operation. There are a few exception for people who make a living off reptiles, but they are extremely rare cases.

 

[Nanci]

My advice would be go to college, if you can, if you can get grants or loans or whatever, for something fast- a two year degree like X-ray. Then you have a job you can do anywhere, that will support any hobby you want to pursue. If you _can_ make a living breeding snakes, I don't think you have time to do anything else, ever.

 

[Kyle M]

My advice would be go to college, if you can, if you can get grants or loans or whatever, for something fast- a two year degree like X-ray. Then you have a job you can do anywhere, that will support any hobby you want to pursue. If you _can_ make a living breeding snakes, I don't think you have time to do anything else, ever.

I've been considering that as well for a few years, actually. My whole family has been pushing me to do radiology, I just figured if there was a quick way to get into breeding... As quick as possible with reasonable amounts of study, of course... that I could do it. This is all very good advice, thank you all. I suppose it just takes a lot of time and patience and money to really get enough snakes and equipment to make a living.. that seems to be the concensus.

 

[AliCat37]

I just finished school with an associates degree, and while I absolutely LOVE my job, I am just barely skirting by on paying bills. Worst part is that I am losing hours because business has all but died at this time of year. Been applying for other jobs left and right, but nothing.
Thankfully I buy all my mice locally and they are cheaper than the online places. I hope that this season, I will at least make a little extra money so I can start saving up again. It is no fun to watch savings disappear. I plan to have a second job soon, if I can find one. Then I have the 32 or so snakes and a puppy to feed and care for everyday after work. It's not easy!! I hope that in the future I will be able to have a larger collection of snakes and at least have them pay for themselves.

 

[Buzzard]

I suppose it just takes a lot of time and patience and money to really get enough snakes and equipment to make a living.. that seems to be the concensus.

Most small time breeders have cut way back on the amount of pairings that they are doing or have lessened their collection due to the poor market right now and the cost of food. We raise our own rodents for our snakes and still have to order frozen mice sometimes to supplement when the rodents are not producing. Research and a good business plan are a must if you are considering opening your own store. As mentioned in earlier threads, most local pet shops in our area as well are closing down due to the economy. The best way to start off with corn snakes is to get a pair with lots of hets and go from there - begin with the basics and work up from there. Lately, there are lots of people who want to start by buying up someone else's project that they have been working on for years. In this industry you have to make it your own, find the morphs that interest you and go from there. There are lots of knowledgeable people on here willing to help but right now it is hard to make a "living" breeding and selling reptiles without a good backup plan. Another suggestion is to check out a local herp club or reptile show and get some ideas from the breeders and members there.

 

[Kyle M]

Is there a big market for any pet animals?

People want fast online, not slow interests for animals that need committed owners.

The last ten years 30-40 % of the pet stores have closed down in Sweden, but US may be different?

Humanity (globally) eat more and more meat every decade.
It is probably easier to live on breeding highly productive cattle, pork or broilers than to live on breeding cornsnakes.

There might be a big market for bred snakes in China for food?
If the Chinese ate captive bred snakes then many wild asian snakes (like wild Thai cobras) would not be almost extinct.

Getting into livestock breeding is a very expensive process here as far as I know. And there are so many huge companies already doing that or paying farmers that it's probably better to just work for a farmer/company than try to do that yourself.

As far as breeding snakes to sell as food... I couldn't do it. They're not food here, at least not commonly. I see them more as children than as a means to an end. I couldn't live with myself knowing I sent one of my babies to their death.

 

[ShelbyScott]

Ahhh yes that would be so wonderful. I've always loved being around and working with and taking care of animals. So, that kind of thing where I could maybe help educate the local community about pet care in general would be awesome. I see a lot of people who really love their animals but have no idea what they're doing, or don't research and find out that their cute little pit bull puppy is gonna be a big animal, and an even bigger responsibility from day one.. or any pet at all, not just dogs. If I can help the animals I'll be happy

You sound like my kind of person! Lol. Maybe you should try to get a job at one of your local petstores? You could be a petcare associate. I think if you said everything you just said here during an interview, you could definitely get that position. Share your passion for animals and your knowledge of reptiles. Get a head start on helping new owners know what they need to know

 

[rich333]

As far as breeding snakes to sell as food... I couldn't do it. They're not food here, at least not commonly. I see them more as children than as a means to an end. I couldn't live with myself knowing I sent one of my babies to their death.

BRAVO!!!! I'd shake your hand right now... If I could!

 

[kathylove]

I used to breed and sell reptiles, mostly colubrids, as a main part of my income from the late '80s to the early 2000s. Hubby did other stuff, but it was my full time business for quite a while. But when the recession hit, the market dropped, and lots of out of work hobbyists started breeding to help make ends meet. Not a good combination!

So I started downsizing, and kept downsizing, until I now breed only a few corns and other herps that I really like. It is a small side business now.

Actually, breeding reptiles is much better as a side biz than a full time endeavor, IMO. If you can do the work yourself, in a spare bedroom, you can keep expenses low. And you are much more likely to avoid burnout than if you do it on a much larger scale. Always remember that no matter how much you like an activity, once you do it as a full time job or business, it does become work instead of play. You have to do everything - not just the parts you like - once it is a business. That means everything from animal care to selling to customer care (most customers are great - but some are not!) to shipping to accounting / bookkeeping. It is not likely you will be equally good at all of those diverse tasks. Sometimes it is better to keep your passion as a part time activity rather than risk losing some of the enjoyment when you must look at it as a profitable dollars and cents proposition instead of a fun hobby that may bring in some extra income.

If you do decide to open a pet related business (store, breeding facility, etc), I would highly suggest studying business in college, at least for a couple of years. Most pet businesses that fail do so for lack of business knowledge rather than for a lack of pet knowledge.

If you can get established in a career that pays well, is in demand, and that you don't mind doing (such as some in the medical field), then you could always start a part time pet related business on the side and see where it eventually leads. It takes a long time to "learn the ropes" and to build up a good reputation in a niche market such as herps, so it is a good idea to have a career to pay the bills while you are working on building your business.