What is the smallest size gecko you would sell?

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I just visited a website that is selling babies as small as 5 grams. What is the smallest size baby YOU would sell?

 

[BlackDiamondGeckos]

Idk, I think there's a difference between selling and shipping. I don't mind selling them young, like say picking outta the litter, but no shipping till 15 grams.

 

[leoman777]

i would sell them at around 20 grams

 

[SleepyDee]

5 grams !? :main_lipsrsealed:
the smallest I sell at is 18g and that's too an experianced leo keeper and the leo doesn't have to be couriered ~ everyone else and for couriering then it's 20g+

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Ya know i just had this discussion with someone the other night about this. IMO looking at a marketing stand point. It's better to sell adult geckos as to see what coloration or pattern or lack of pattern is going to change from hatchling to adult. I mean you can only predict so much and then after that it's a kick in the butt when you sell something that might have been a hold back if you would have let it grow out.

just my 2 cents i'm sure i'll get some back lash for it but oh well.

 

[BlackDiamondGeckos]

Ya know i just had this discussion with someone the other night about this. IMO looking at a marketing stand point. It's better to sell adult geckos as to see what coloration or pattern or lack of pattern is going to change from hatchling to adult. I mean you can only predict so much and then after that it's a kick in the butt when you sell something that might have been a hold back if you would have let it grow out.

just my 2 cents i'm sure i'll get some back lash for it but oh well.

Ya but if you let it grow, I'm sure you'll become more attached to it and make it harder to sell? No?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

It's better to sell adult geckos as to see what coloration or pattern or lack of pattern is going to change from hatchling to adult.

I agree, Ryan. I guess that's why I tend to hang on to my geckos a little longer.

 

[PacHerp]

I would absolutely not sell an animal in person or ship an animal under 12-15 grams. I enjoy watching my animals grow up and see how they develop before I offer them for sale publicly, or even privately. Isn't that half the point of what we are doing in the first place?

If my friends are interested in seeing animals that will be available soon, I'll show them... but of course, they can't have it until it's growing and eating well and has some weight on it. IMO, the minimum size a gecko needs to be in order to be 100% positive it is a healthy, thriving animal is 10 grams... seriously, they come out of the egg at about 3-5 grams! That's what, a minimum 3-4 weeks on the animal?? still not enough for me... but then again, that's JMO.

Would I buy an animal under 10 grams - nope - skip the site and move right on along...

 

[BlackDiamondGeckos]

I agree with Britt. Then again, that's IMO.

I think 10 grams is a staple weight where you realize they will more than likely do well, and are able to sell in person. Now if the gecko is to be shipped, I say 15 grams is a good weight. Again, IMO.

 

[M&I Gecko]

I agree. I wouldn't sell/ship a hatchling until 18-20 grams. You always want to make sure the little guy/girl makes the trip safe and sound.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I have sold geckos in the 12-15 gram range if they were well-established, feeding well, and growing fast. Usually, by around 20 grams an experienced breeder can tell pretty much what the individual gecko will look like as an adult and price/sell it accordingly. I'd hate to sell a very small gecko at a very low price only to find out it turned in to an awesome morph I should have held back, LOL!

 

[PacHerp]

I have sold geckos in the 12-15 gram range if they were well-established, feeding well, and growing fast. Usually, by around 20 grams an experienced breeder can tell pretty much what the individual gecko will look like as an adult and price/sell it accordingly. I'd hate to sell a very small gecko at a very low price only to find out it turned in to an awesome morph I should have held back, LOL!

Right on MOGL... :main_thumbsup:

 

[BlackDiamondGeckos]

So I guess this has become the "breeder's dilemma"

 

[PacHerp]

So I guess this has become the "breeder's dilemma"

not really a 'dilemma' - more of a personal choice... it's not that these choices are not acceptable choices (aka, as in a dilemma) - it's just a matter of personal choice, taste, ethics... etc. etc. etc ...

 

[Nigel4less]

Hmm... this is very shallow and pedantic(Family Guy Pun)...

But in all honesty... if you have the Cajones to even LIST an animal at 5 grams then like everyone else said, I`ll keep my money and save it for someone who takes a more ethical approach, we don't need any geckos getting killed now do we?

 

[ajveachster]

When we were really new to the gecko world I did buy a 5 gram gecko at a show. She was the one who lost her tail twice. She is happy and healthy now, but I don't think I will buy one again that is under 10. Lesson learned.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

That's what "big box pet stores" do.

 

[Malibu Barbie]

I would´t think twice about selling a smaller baby (about 10-15g) to en experienced owner, but otherwise I would wait until they are above 15g for sure.
I will also be keeping them a little longer so I can see their colors change - it would be terrible to miss out on a good hold-back

 

[LG-Geckos]

I only bring geckos with about 15g to shows if they´ll be picked up there.
When I have some younger ones available the customer has to wait until they grow.
But I was shocked when I saw some 5g babies at the Hamm show available...

 

[jandsfannon]

I am put my animals on my website, but I put a notice that they will not be going until 15g and eating well. Its really hard I was at a show here and a breeder was selling a bunch of really tiny Leos. I heard him say to a customer they were 3-5 weeks old.......there was no way they looked a week if you were lucky. I would say they probably hadnt had their first shed or meal. It was sad......what was even sadder is that he had them so cheap lost of them went home with people not realizing how young they were.