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Post by crazyferretlady on Aug 31, 2012 9:42:06 GMT -5
Lycrisa there is is also no profit in breeding ferrets  It costs me about $1000/litter (food, cage, blankets, vet care etc) and when selling them I do not make back 3/4 of what it has cost. In the passed 6 weeks I have spent $1800 on 3 new Ferret Kingdoms and LFFB beding! When my 2 jills whelp they will (hopefully) have an average of 7 kits each thus I am feeding 6 normal ferrets, 2 mothers and 14 kits. Caring for, housing and feeding 14 kits & 2 mothers is bverg very expensive and never ever make a cent, always in the red by about $300/litter! |
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Post by Heather on Aug 31, 2012 10:24:13 GMT -5
Let's face it. If you're in it for the money you're a fool and you're probably cutting corners if you are making money and that stands for any breed. I won't even go into what it cost me to bring in my breed stock and I'm sure that counts in balancing the books (that's something you left out in your costs Crazy Ferret Lady, plus the time and research that goes into that line). Then there is the pre-care required by the jill and hob that you're breeding. You don't go out and just buy any jill and hob and throw them together. As far as caring for a litter the costs are huge but what if you loose that litter. There is often huge costs associated with that too. If anyone has been paying attention loosing a litter is common too. Excluding the absolute heartache of loosing those wee souls, there are always costs involved in that too. C-sections for jills who can't birth their little ones because they're too big, wedged or just don't move. Ultimately, this can mean the loss of a breeding jill, either she dies or she's spaid. No, breeding is something that is never taken lightly. The costs are huge both on the pocketbook and mentally. I never begrudge a breeder their cost for their kits, pups or whatever.
ciao
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Post by lycrisa on Aug 31, 2012 20:55:36 GMT -5
Oh no, I didn't meant to suggest it did make profit.
Especially considering how much your cages must cost.
I make my own out of storage bins, so it costs me like 6$(not including water bottles) per cage.
Cheaper than tanks and better for the mice, but it still adds up when you need 40 cages.
Then I have to hand mix their food to prevent tumors (corn is bad for them) and that costs almost 60$ a month.
And then you have the toys, parasite treatments and the vet bills, so I know exactly what you mean.
Just to bring in 6 really healthy mice from the UK it cost almost 500$.
I loose litters too, and more so with the heat of summer.
Mice like cool weather and low light to breed.
But they breed so quickly and efficiently I imagine that my job would be easier than yours.
I can typically get a litter of 4 every three months if mom is really well fed (not that I do)
from what I've read so far ferrets only breed like twice a year right?
That sounds really hard.
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Post by Heather on Aug 31, 2012 21:06:59 GMT -5
They can season up to 3 or 4 times (Lady Morgain seasoned 3 times this year and Lady Destiny 4 times....as they were just a year old, they visited a v-hob to take them out). I would guess that a jill with a litter will probably season less if she actually brings in a litter but should only produce 1 litter in that year. My understanding is they can be bred again if they loose a litter but personally I wouldn't be doing such a thing. You loose that litter then you've lost that season with that jill. A more experienced breeder can answer what they would do and the reasons for it. I figure the jill has already produced the litter, she may not have fed it but her nutrient reserves will not be as good. For whatever reason she lost that litter would have to be considered if that jill is ever used again in the following year(s)
ciao
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Post by crazyferretlady on Aug 31, 2012 21:23:25 GMT -5
My jills have never come on heat more than once a year. Never bred more than 1 litter in a year as well. A jill should never whelp more than once in a season. If she does come on heat and you breed her twice you half her lifespan and are really a BYB if you are wanting more kits. If I hear anyone breeding more than one litter in a season it boils my blood. I know someone personally who will breed 2 or even 3 litters in the one season, purposly bringing her jills back on heat by putting them with hobs on rut after she has sold her 6wk old kits  you wouldn't believe how angry it makes me!!!!!! |
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Post by Sherry on Aug 31, 2012 21:26:46 GMT -5
That's no different than the mills IMO. They bring them into season over and over by manipulating the lighting conditions |
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Post by lorelei0922 on Sept 7, 2012 22:33:17 GMT -5
I know someone who does this too Bev... its hard to not give them an earful every time !!! not only that but this jill typically cannibalizes at least one litter per year .. and will come back into season after 6 weeks even if she Does manage to raise the litter... or immediately if she doesn't... that is NOT a jill i would be using ...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2012 22:44:53 GMT -5
You SHOULD give them an earful every time. Or call...whoever's responsibility it is to make sure animals aren't treated like that. |
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