The expenses of running a leo business

[malt_geckos]

Great thread! Gives us a good idea of what receipts we need to keep. So far since August of 07, I would say we've spent maybe 10,000.00 total.

 

[syntheticreality]

I'm just starting up. Only two of my males and three or four of my females are ready to breed.

With 12 geckos purchased, a 30 space rack, 2 incubators, temp gun, all of my supplies (not including feeders and utilities), I am still under 900 dollars. I am sure im underestimating or leaving out a few misc things. I have been an economy shopper this whole time though.

I purchased two geckos wholesale, three from shows, two from petco, three from a person getting out of breeding, and two from another petstore. They are all tremper variations (1 aptor, 1 bb, 1 pa, 2 rsa) and tangs (4 shtctb and 1 shtct)

I consider myself lucky to have found all of the deals I have found. But I have still turned zero profit and to me close to a grand is a lot more money than I should have spent.

I only have two fertile RSA eggs in the incubator right now, but I have several eggs on the way.

 

[malt_geckos]

we have also tried to get deals on things...like we made our first rack, got one of our inc. for free, and try and get good prices on our geckos, but we also have about 40 breeders now! ahhhh! lol. So, that is our max for this year....but obviously, we will be buying new racks next year to fit our holdbacks in.... It's like a never ending circle!!!

Jason...I warned you at Tampa...It get's out of control quick! lol.

 

[boutiquegecko]

I should keep track and prob will this year. I was in the hole last year, so prob this year too. I'm happy my geckos found good homes and are all thriving. Like Malt and quite a few other breeders we try to save where we can. Made my own racks that work for now, incubator, trying to breed my feeders to save a little anyhow. Bin sales at Target etc. Can't beat it when they're only like .50 or so.

 

[syntheticreality]

yeah Matt/Mal you guys were right! I've put a hold on it for now though. I think two good colonies is enough. I have got some good variety to work with. The only thing I MIGHT be after is a MSS male for some projects. I am moving soon, so I have to time my egg laying/hatching just right.

 

[Select Gex]

What!? No one told me I wasn't going to get rich off of this ..

 

[Kotsay1414]

Here is MK Geckos income statement for 07... not too much profit here

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

This should be an 'eye-opener' for many people who start breeding geckos with unrealistic expectations. We gotta love these creatures, or it's going to be a big disappointment.

 

[bcreptiles]

last year, our electric bill alone was 6000 euro, thats about 9000dollar :behead2: :dizzy:

 

[Dragoon Gecko]

Thank you so much everybody for sharing this!! And thank you so much Kelly for this important thread!! It is a chance for everybody, me included, here to read and learn..

I'm breeding leopardgeckos since 2000, and honestly I never came into the black since then..
The vet costs for cryptopsridiosis-tests and other tests ( I let at least test every animal 4times, each year) alone costs me several thousand euros each year.

500 euros is the minimum costs for feeding, the same for the electric bill. These costs will increase in future when I have more geckos..

And the costs for suppelementation, disinfectant, racks, or new geckos are much higher..
I think its my luck that I never have count every euro together ..
/Rebecca

 

[DanTheFireman]

You don't realize how much you spend until tax time comes. I go pretty conservative and could find more deductions but even McDonalds workers earn more (but we have more fun and less zits).

 

[malt_geckos]

haha! I love your view on this Dan....

 

[Dragoon Gecko]

:main_thumbsup:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

You don't realize how much you spend until tax time comes. I go pretty conservative and could find more deductions but even McDonalds workers earn more (but we have more fun and less zits).

OMG.... soooooo TRUE!!!

 

[Baker14]

This thread is great. It really puts in perspective waht new breeders are getting themselves into.

 

[LadyGecko]

Kelli-thanks for this great thread and thanks to everyone that has responded

Since this is purely a hobby for me-my one and only indulgence-I have never added up the expenses
I don't even want to know what I have spent on my geckos and other lizards as a total
It makes me much happier just being ignorant-lol

If I am lucky enough to produce a few babies and sell them(oh yeah-that is NOT going to be easy for me to part with a baby Leo-lol) I wouldn't even bother to put that money against what i have spent in the past 10 or so years of keeping reptiles

It is all for the love of the animals !!
They make me very happy !


Sandy

 

[sushikam]

Thanks for starting this thread Kelli!

I never realized how much it could add up to when you become even a small, medium sized breeder! I am very glad to have seen this, as it will help me control myself a bit while I am in still in college, so that I don't go broke :main_rolleyes:!

I am planning on breeding within the next year, and cannot wait to start! I am trying to take into account all the expenses, but I guess you really do not know what they ALL are until they come up. I will be starting off as a very small breeder from the beginning though, as I know I do not have the space, time, or money to start large projects (not for another 2 years anyway :main_evilgrin, and I do not want to put my geckos through the neglect that would occur if I did too much at once.

I am always in search of good deals though, and since I am getting a head start (before breeding in another year), I have more time to find deals on things such as racks and all the supplies and whatnot. I am just glad to know that things can REALLY add up quickly, not that I haven't noticed that already!

Anyway, I just think this is a great thread! Thanks again for posting it!, and to all those who've responded! Go leopard geckos (and other reptiles)...you make us happy people !

 

[PSGeckos]

Thank you

It really is such a breath of fresh air to see such openess with such a personal topic.

I echo alot of what people have said here also, we're only tiny compared to many and only have 14 adults, thankfully our little rep room will hold just that! But it amazes me how all the figures break down, and it is purley a hobby for us

Once again thank you kelli, i'm glad you guys over there are open about it, unlike the cloak and daggers this side of the pond!!

 

[bleeding_sarcasm]

last year we didnt keep fantastic records, and this year isnt too much better so far hahaha. We only track like MAJOR expenses of geckos, food, etc. I think we ended up having like 12k in expenses and we made 10k, so only ended up -2k.