Questions for breeders/people who have bred

[KeGathings17]

To start off, I don't plan on breeding really at all, but am not completely shut off from the idea, certainly not anytime soon, regardless I just wanted to ask a couple things from those who do or have.

1. What was your first breeding project? How did it go? What was the process of wanting to breed, and finally getting the sac like?

2. What are good beginning breeder species for someone who might want to breed, also any advice on what to do with these slings aswell? Do you wholesale, sell groups of 10, etc.

3. Do you think someone who is really interested in T's and their lives should try their hand at breeding, or should it maybe be reserved for the more dedicated collectors, who want to further certain species in the hobby, or make their money back.

Sorry if this long and drawn out, but I would love to hear any of your stories!

 

[Liquifin]

These are my takes and experiences so anyone who reads this don't have to agree or disagree as everyone's experiences and opinions are different and their journey will vary drastically.

1. What was your first breeding project? How did it go? What was the process of wanting to breed, and finally getting the sac like?

I actually didn't really breed on my own as I was more like an assistant for my so called first time breeding and many other projects before. This was my first step as I got a feel and experience to understand the hardships to breeding before making the choice. So my actual first breeding project was an A. seemanni 3 years back when I finally started my own collection after learning from other people and just when I joined this forums. If you go way back for me on this forums I said some bad or newbie things which I've learned I wasn't taught everything or up-to-date info at the time. But the reason I decided to breed was because I was basically the last person interested in breeding locally as everyone else left the hobby and didn't leave nothing behind. My first sac was a sign of a new generation (me) and I sold the entire sac for $40.

2. What are good beginning breeder species for someone who might want to breed, also any advice on what to do with these slings aswell? Do you wholesale, sell groups of 10, etc.

I always recommend A. chalcodes for a first beginner project for many reasons. Which this choice will make since once you're stuck with hundreds of slings.
Reasons (once you get actual slings):
1. They can store fat easily and can go on dry substrate with little water which is good if you're stuck with over 100+ slings, so this means less feeding and maintenance than most other slings.
2. They're not bred as often T. albo's and A. avics, so they're not too saturated in the market.
3. They grow slow, so less rehouses in comparison to overstock slings that don't sell well that grows faster in your care.

Any other species such as A. avic and T. albo are not bad 1st projects, but are harder to sell off whether wholesale or retail, locally or online.

If you plan to breed, don't just breed yet. You need to talk and ask around to other hobbyists and local breeders or sellers if they're interested in buying your stock. This is insurance so you're not stuck with a 1000 slings that take forever to get rid of. Remember, if you decide to breed a tarantula you're basically going against everyone else. As other people are producing the same species as you and you're not the only person producing them. Tarantulas are mostly a passion profit, meaning you're going to get very limited revenue and I've seen many aspiring tarantula breeders come and go. In the end, the only people who last are the breeders that are strongly passion driven as there is little to no profit from selling T.'s. I mostly wholesale and try to sell off 75%-80% of the sac and keep the rest to sell once bigger or keep as holdback for future breeding.

3. Do you think someone who is really interested in T's and their lives should try their hand at breeding, or should it maybe be reserved for the more dedicated collectors, who want to further certain species in the hobby, or make their money back.

The knowledge is always out there, the experiences are built on time, but it's really up to you in the end. Not all breeders or people who breed are the same in terms of motives. As some breed out of curiosity (bad idea), and other people breed for their own reasons. I personally think that people who are curious about breeding should ask others for their experiences. When I say ask, I mean ask people with actual real first-hand experience and not some random hobbyists. Also ask someone who has credibility so you don't get fooled into asking breeding advice to some random person with only 3 T.'s for example.

My small advice:
Breeding is a choice, but once you have to get rid of slings, it's a whole other challenge to show if you have what it takes if you plan to take breeding seriously. Because breeding is only half the journey and the second half is way harder once you realize you have to get rid of slings. I have a ton I can give on regarding advice, but this is just a small tip for now.

 

[KeGathings17]

These are my takes and experiences so anyone who reads this don't have to agree or disagree as everyone's experiences and opinions are different and their journey will vary drastically.


I actually didn't really breed on my own as I was more like an assistant for my so called first time breeding and many other projects before. This was my first step as I got a feel and experience to understand the hardships to breeding before making the choice. So my actual first breeding project was an A. seemanni 3 years back when I finally started my own collection after learning from other people and just when I joined this forums. If you go way back for me on this forums I said some bad or newbie things which I've learned I wasn't taught everything or up-to-date info at the time. But the reason I decided to breed was because I was basically the last person interested in breeding locally as everyone else left the hobby and didn't leave nothing behind. My first sac was a sign of a new generation (me) and I sold the entire sac for $40.


I always recommend A. chalcodes for a first beginner project for many reasons. Which this choice will make since once you're stuck with hundreds of slings.
Reasons (once you get actual slings):
1. They can store fat easily and can go on dry substrate with little water which is good if you're stuck with over 100+ slings, so this means less feeding and maintenance than most other slings.
2. They're not bred as often T. albo's and A. avics, so they're not too saturated in the market.
3. They grow slow, so less rehouses in comparison to overstock slings that don't sell well that grows faster in your care.

Any other species such as A. avic and T. albo are not bad 1st projects, but are harder to sell off whether wholesale or retail, locally or online.

If you plan to breed, don't just breed yet. You need to talk and ask around to other hobbyists and local breeders or sellers if they're interested in buying your stock. This is insurance so you're not stuck with a 1000 slings that take forever to get rid of. Remember, if you decide to breed a tarantula you're basically going against everyone else. As other people are producing the same species as you and you're not the only person producing them. Tarantulas are mostly a passion profit, meaning you're going to get very limited revenue and I've seen many aspiring tarantula breeders come and go. In the end, the only people who last are the breeders that are strongly passion driven as there is little to no profit from selling T.'s. I mostly wholesale and try to sell off 75%-80% of the sac and keep the rest to sell once bigger or keep as holdback for future breeding.


The knowledge is always out there, the experiences are built on time, but it's really up to you in the end. Not all breeders or people who breed are the same in terms of motives. As some breed out of curiosity (bad idea), and other people breed for their own reasons. I personally think that people who are curious about breeding should ask others for their experiences. When I say ask, I mean ask people with actual real first-hand experience and not some random hobbyists. Also ask someone who has credibility so you don't get fooled into asking breeding advice to some random person with only 3 T.'s for example.

My small advice:
Breeding is a choice, but once you have to get rid of slings, it's a whole other challenge to show if you have what it takes if you plan to take breeding seriously. Because breeding is only half the journey and the second half is way harder once you realize you have to get rid of slings. I have a ton I can give on regarding advice, but this is just a small tip for now.

Thank you! Yes having hundreds of spider lings certainly isn't anything I want at the moment, I think finding someone who has more experience would be ideal, all the fun, none of the hassle. Thanks for the detailed reply!

 

[jrh3]

My first species was Neoholothele Incei, super easy and fast process with this species. I think I have about 80 slings that I am waiting on them to molt to 2i.

Would I do it again? Totally, the process was interesting and fun, it is something I enjoy a lot.

There are a few members here always looking to buy whole lots if your willing to wholesale them for a few bucks each.

 

[KeGathings17]

My first species was Neoholothele Incei, super easy and fast process with this species. I think I have about 80 slings that I am waiting on them to molt to 2i.

Would I do it again? Totally, the process was interesting and fun, it is something I enjoy a lot.

There are a few members here always looking to buy whole lots if your willing to wholesale them for a few bucks each.

Interesting choice.. Any particular reason for the Incei or just lucked out with a pair?

 

[jrh3]

Interesting choice.. Any particular reason for the Incei or just lucked out with a pair?

They are my favorite species.

 

[KeGathings17]

They are my favorite species.

Awesome, I need to add at least one to my collection, they seem like awesome T's to keep.