Katie-
I don't want to burst your bubble or dissuade you from going into breeding-I think it's GREAT!!
Let's compare your new business-to-be with dog breeding.
Low quality-crank-'em -out-by-the-TON breeders-like PUPPY MILLS-they have TONS of dogs in big runs-they breed at will and you never know just what you have as many of the breeding stock aren't high quality or pure-bred to begin with. They feed low quality food, don't vet their animals when they should, and raise the puppies in mass nursery runs. The puppies from these breeders often have genetic flaws that make them weak and sick. They have parasites, etc. The over-bred parent dogs get old before their time and they get sick and require vet services-or they DIE. The pups get sick somewhere down the line, and the new owners have to have them euthanized.
They are in it for the BUCKS. They made their BUCK by depriving the parent dogs and their pups of all the things neccessary for a long, happy, healthy life-BUT THEY DON'T CARE.
High quality breeders use selective breeding with only PURE BRED dogs, rest their animals between litters, vet their animals for pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, EVERYTHING. They feed HIGH QUALITY foods. They parents are in top health, and free of genetic flaws. They have no parasites. They give birth to healthy pups who are well-cared for and recieve quality food and medical care. The dogs and their pups live long, happy, healthy lives.
These people are in it for the love of the particular breeds they raise-and to keep that breed up to standard.
All vet fees, good foods, and high quality care cost money.
TRUE breeders make VERY LITTLE money from what they do. They LOVE what they do, and they love that they are keeping a breed alive. That's all that matters to them.
And MOST potential owners can't afford what TRUE BREEDERS CHARGE for their animals. NOT that they're cheap-or wouldn't make EXCELLENT LOVING pet owners-they just don't have that kind of money to invest in a pet.
I know that YOU aren't going to be running a PUPPY MILL type of business.
You really have to ask yourself WHY you want to go into this, since you may NOT make a killing in the business.
Start with ONE kind of gecko. As you make money, add a new type one at a time. You NEVER hear of a legitimate dog breeder breeding ALL KINDS of dogs. The MOST I've every heard of-from a single breeder who has QUALITY DOGS-was 4 different breeds.
Start small.
You have to make a name for yourself before you are going to make it BIG.
You don't want to breed more geckos than you can move, or like Steve said, you're going to be over-stocked, and feeding them is going to COST YOU.
Keep good breeding records AND GREAT FINANCIAL RECORDS. The way the business and tax laws are changing, you'll NEED the records to be well maintained. Find someone who specializes in preparing tax returns for small businesses. Use them RIGHT FROM THE START, and you won't end up getting into trouble.
Keep your prices low enough so that your animals move and your prices are competitive, and you're still making a FEW bucks, but not so low that you're GIVING THEM AWAY.
And everything Steve said is TRUE. Listen to him.
Also, you might want to ask Anthony for any tips he might have. PM him, and see what advise he can give you.
Just be prepared NOT to make a MILLION!!!
Good luck with your new venture, Kiddo!!!
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