Good articles or books on breeding?

[Neff_05]

I have recently got our first leo, he is still a baby, but wanting to maybe in the future try out some breeding and want to make sure I have everything I need and know everything I need too as well, if anyone can lead me to some good reads or have any advice yourself i'd be very open to listening. I'm not looking to get rich off of breeding or might not even sell at all, just looking for something fun and different to do with the kids and they can watch them grow and if it turns into a hobby/small business so be it but not my intentions at the beginning.

Thanks in advance

 

[warhawk]

There is a lot of info out there about breeding. Here is a good article to get you started.
Guide to Breeding Leopard Geckos on a Small Scale - Gecko Time - Gecko Time

I will say when it comes to breeding geckos there is a lot more to know and do then breeding fish or dogs. If you just want to breed you can mix most any gecko but there really isn't a demand for those so you won't be able to sell them easy. If you want to do it right you should buy some good quality stock to start with. You don't have to spend $500 on a gecko most quality breeders have geckos for less that $100 so while not cheap they won't break the bank. When you sell you won't be able to get the same prices as the top breeders because you don't have the reputation they do, that takes years to build up. From what I have learned very few breeders do this for the money and most try to break even every year.

I do because I love working with the animals and seeing how the little guys turn out. I look at everything I spend on the hobby as a gone, and any money I get from a sale goes right back into the hobby for food, or equipment.

There are a lot different Morphs to choice from but what is hot this year might not be next year. I have talked to people that paid over $700 for a Diablo Blanco a few years ago and now you can get them for $400 or less. As more people buy and breed the prices will drop unless you can find the next big morph everyone wants.


Again not trying to discourage you from breeding just want to point out what I have learned. When I started I thought I would make a little extra cash and turn it into a small business but there is a lot of work involved. But the best advice start with good stock and know their genetics it makes life much easier.

 

[Neff_05]

Thanks for the info! I will def read that article... I've watched videos and read other articles and most say the same, they thought they would make money and it ends up just being a hobby, sell a couple buy a couple lol. And i'm fine with that, my kids love animals and I thought if they could learn a thing or 2 while loving them it's a plus. I've tried to do some looking around my area for breeders and southern illinois doesn't really seem to have much, there is a reptile show in St. louis, MO next month i'll be attending and trying to talk to people. I see there is a lot of breeders online, but I don't know how comfortable I am on shipping the geckos, i'd rather drive or meet up somewhere and pick it up. I got my baby at a pet store, I know I don't really know the full genetics on it but to start I figure it would be ok

 

[warhawk]

Reptile shows are a good idea. Some are harder to find but Google will come in handy. Most of the time a show will get you hooked up with breeders pretty easy. When it comes to online breeders Ron Tramper and John Mack both have web sites, any gecko you get from them I would fully trust and you get all the genetic background also. There are others that are good but I can't recommend any because I have never used them. I would rather deal with someone that has a web site then a person with just a face book page.

One thing I have noticed is that while a lot of people breed geckos there isn't a lot of info on how they do it. You will find bits of info here and there but its not all in one place. It is like everyone is own their own starting out. The big thing I ran into was no one really tells you how much record keeping is involved, what information do you keep or how to keep the records straight.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'm still learning as I go also.

 

[indyana]

I'll add some more links to the collection...

Breeding

• The Learning Center - Breeding Leopard Geckos
• Leopard Gecko Breeding

Genetics

• Leopard Gecko Genetics - GeckoBoa Reptiles
• The Learning Center - Genetics 101
• The Learning Center - Leopard Gecko Trade Names

 

[warhawk]

Thanks Indyana some of those are new to me also.

 

[Neff_05]

Thanks everyone!! This community seems really helpful.