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Re: breeding for dummies
Ok - I'm not trying to talk you out of it. However, there are a few things you need to know before breeding boas.
Boas can have clutches of up to 60 babies. Average is about 20+ EACH litter.
That said, do you have a 30-40 drawer hatchling rack? You can not monitor their individual progress or health problems if they are all in the same cage.
Say your boa female only has 20 babies. Can you afford the first three feedings?
The market for normal boas is not as hot as it used to be. If anything, I'd say it's like the normal ball python market. Slow. ESPECIALLY if you're an "at-home" breeder. So, plan on holding onto those babies for a long time. Can you afford the $60 a month(estimating low) in food for them? Bedding? Vet care when one gets sick, or fails to thrive?
What if the female can't lay them? Sometimes that kills her, and all the babies.
Mostly though, you need caging. A LOT OF CAGING. A rack is almost completely necessary. I just don't know where anyone would put 20-40 tanks for hatchlings, let along heat them all.
By the time all the babies were sold, you'd barely break even. It just isn't feasible for most people.
Not to mention - are you prepared to screen the homes of ALL the babies you sell? How are you going to be sure each one gets taken care of properly - or even just adequately?
Just things to think about before breeding boas. They have LARGE litters, and it can be really tough. If the female even survives to parturition.
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