Anybody else tired of...

Anybody else tired of people posting on the forums with intent to breed but have no idea about 1) genetics, let alone what the different albino names are 2) wondering the value of certain morphs and 3) what morph their gecko is but want to breed it?

To all those want to be breeders: first learn about basic genetics; if you don't know what polygenic, recessive, co-dominated (super form) and dominant are don't breed. Learn every combination morph possible and what went into making that morph. Realize that any project isn't probably going to have its vision realized until the fourth year (minimum).

This is not a get rich quick, I'll buy some high end geckos and flip the babies for profit kind of thing. It might seem allusive that they sexually mature in a year and that you could buy two w&y radars and breed them. But first, what's the quality of those going to be like and second, you aren't going to make the money the big boys do (sasobek, JMG, demeyer, Geckoboa, ect) cause you're a nobody and you haven't built trust or a name.

Now, I made all these mistakes in 2006, so I know what you're thinking. I bought a tremper male and 4 SHTCT because I wanted to cash in on making sunglows. Long story short, it did not work and I essentially lost $1000. Only now, 8 years later do I feel like IM in the right place to do this and almost grasp the basics.

Learn, read the forums, USE THE LEOPARD GECKO CALCULATOR BEFORE YOU ASK (google it) and realize there is a lot of good people on these forums that are willing to help... Including me.

Yes I'm tired of it and consequently I'm picky about what posts I respond to. I'm likely to respond to "what's this morph" and "what are my chances of getting a supersnow from these 2 geckos" but never respond to "I have these 10 geckos. Who should I pair up and what will I get?"

I also know that many people don't know what they don't know, which means that they don't have a clue what the variables are. I'm not averse to making a few responses suggesting what you suggested above. I don't spend much time stressing about it, though, just respond to what I think I can handle.

Aliza

That's why i just keep one and focus everything i can learn about it. I could barely say the other morphs right lol

acpart said:

Yes I'm tired of it and consequently I'm picky about what posts I respond to. I'm likely to respond to "what's this morph" and "what are my chances of getting a supersnow from these 2 geckos" but never respond to "I have these 10 geckos. Who should I pair up and what will I get?"

I also know that many people don't know what they don't know, which means that they don't have a clue what the variables are. I'm not averse to making a few responses suggesting what you suggested above. I don't spend much time stressing about it, though, just respond to what I think I can handle.

Aliza

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Thanks for responding to my posts . And I just answered a "what should I breed with" question about an hour ago... I agree with Aliza: Answer what you can or have time to. For the question I answered, I posted the links to a Morph/genetics Guide and the Genetics Calculator..hehe

I know what you mean, I swear these people only have $$ signs in their eyes. There is no profit, certainly not with me. Any money made from hatchlings covers some costs such as feeding, electricity and general husbandry.

If anyone wanting to breed did their research before hand then there wouldn't be any problems. Obviously asking questions is a good thing but people need to stop and think before jumping in


Sent from my iPhone inside my human vivarium

marcia said:

I know what you mean, I swear these people only have $$ signs in their eyes. There is no profit, certainly not with me. Any money made from hatchlings covers some costs such as feeding, electricity and general husbandry.

If anyone wanting to breed did their research before hand then there wouldn't be any problems. Obviously asking questions is a good thing but people need to stop and think before jumping in


Sent from my iPhone inside my human vivarium

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Don't get me wrong. Breeding Leo's can be a business (clearly looking at bigger breeders) and you can make a living. But, just like any endeavor it requires good business practices and a mastery of the field. There ain't no shortcuts in life.

Treefolk said:

Don't get me wrong. Breeding Leo's can be a business (clearly looking at bigger breeders) and you can make a living. But, just like any endeavor it requires good business practices and a mastery of the field. There ain't no shortcuts in life.

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Couldn't agree more. Shortcuts lead to disasters when it comes to breeding


Sent from my iPhone inside my human vivarium

Some people move into town and want the key to the city without lifting a finger. I enjoy helping people but I try to choice to help the people who are willing to put in the work. I don't get mad because the people who aren't willing to work hard at something have the life expectance of a gallon of milk in any hobby. But with that said there was a time when I knew nothing and drove some people nuts I'm sure but I spent countless night to the wee hours just researching here. And I am still constantly learn new things. So group hug in the shower tonight!

My favorite is when people ask me or on a forum something along the lines of "I want to start breeding geckos, for the experience as well as to make a little money... where can I buy cheap geckos?" And I just have to laugh, what money could you possibly make when you're trying to buy bargain geckos, at maybe $20-30 an animal? How much money do you think you can ask for those babies? How much demand do you think there will actually be for babies from a pairing of two bargain geckos?

Like a biologist/herper friend of mine once told me, which I thought was SO true, in reptile breeding "Big money in big money out." You invest into high-quality animals (not just an expensive morph, but a high-quality individual of that morph), invest into high-quality set-ups, and your chances of being able to ask more for those offspring down the line will be greater. Experience is vital, of course, but you can't cut corners in your breeding stock or your husbandry.

So that's my favorite, when people think they can jump in with two random geckos they got from Pet co during a 50% off sale and make a business. Geckos that may have issues going on, like MBD or who knows what from the care they receive. So you've now got a person that has no real experience with two possibly ill geckos seeing dollar signs and planning a business.