Dubia Roaches

[Rankins]

I did think about buying cheaper containers, but the ones I got have a fabric ventilated lid. They are nice, but may opt for something cheaper in the future. I don't think I'll have trouble selling 5000 roaches, and profit margin is pretty large. So didn't worry if the containers were a bit expensive...
I also am having t-shirts made, I think I did a pretty good job designing them, and they were pretty cheap. I didn't order many, mainly just enough for my friends, family and I. But I did make a few extra I can sell at the expo. I haven't been a vendor in a long time, so it should be fun.
The egg crates are nice, they are they typical size that comes in cricket orders. I'll leave them in the plastic they were shipped in so people know they are brand new.
I may sell out of everything...or sell none. But more likely I'll sell most everything. I'm not even a business, just a home hobbiest. But if I can make money doing something I enjoy, it will never be a job. Just fun

 

[Rankins]

Taffer...totally forgot to answer some of your questions. The expo is near Portland Oregon April 1st and 2nd.
My fan in my Colman bins are on timers. I did have them come on when the heater came on. But as the colony grew it wasn't venting enough. So I had a thermostat/hygrostat I tried using...but the thing is so difficult to figure out how to set it, I gave up on it. Its too bad because its really nice. But the instructions are as thick as a dictionary, so decided it wasn't convenient.
Sometimes I leave the fan running 24/7...sometimes my bin starts smelling like ammonia, probably from the alfalfa. Its high in nitrogen and I think it breaks down in the roaches and produces high ammonia levels in the bin. So if I notice any ammonia smell I leave the fan running and modify the alfalfa content in the diet. It usually clears up the stink in less than 24 hrs, and I can then put the fan back on the timer.

 

[Taffer]

Cool, it all sounds like it would be a fun time. I just looked up reptile expo shows in VA and there are several. I doubt I'll have enough roaches to sell, but I don't intend on breeding reptiles so it would probably not be worth my while to log a slot unless I broaden my colonies and species some. It does sound like a good time though. :0) I may drag the wife and daughter to one or two of them this year and see how much fun we can have.

 

[Rankins]

I always have fun at them. I use to be a vendor at most of the ones in California, Oregon, and Washington. I started vending at them when I was 19 y/o...I'm 48 y/o now and haven't been a vendor in a very long time. But if things go as planned I can sell out of everything I take with me.....

I hope.

 

[Skipper7]

I'd love to come visit booth... but it would be a hike to get there lol. Good luck. Does anyone know of reptile shows in the Chicagoland area? I think I found one, but it isn't till June... thats a long ways away and I'm impatient.

 

[Rankins]

This looks helpful.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Events-Calendar/

Hmmm...not very inclusive, I'll look for a better list.

 

[Taffer]

Hmmm, I wasn't vending that type of critter at 19, but from about the time I was 10 or 12 I raised cattle on the 20 acres my parents owned which was about 1 1/2 miles away, and I'm not sure when I stopped. I'm on your heels age wise - I'm 46...getting kind of close to 47 (sigh).

That link you found for the expos is the best I could find as well Rankins.

 

[Skipper7]

Thanks for the link. I'm not finding anything recent for Illinois. It seems odd that Chicago would have at least one yearly show.

EDIT: Now that I'm looking, there aren't many breeders in Illinois.

 

[Rankins]

I couldn't find a better list either. The expo I'll be at wasn't even listed.
Taffer..cool about the cattle, I just can fit them in my enclosed
Skipper, its fine if there are not many breeders in your area because most large reptile company's are at them. But if you find one there usually are a lot of specialty morphs at them. I almost bought a "Zero" until I noticed they wanted $800 for one. However if I could sell babies for that much it would be worth it. Bearded dragons breed like rabbits and lay a bunch of eggs.

 

[Skipper7]

Zeroes are awesome!! If you wind up breeding them, I'd be willing to pay a virtual high five for one

 

[Rankins]

I'm seriously considering getting a pair of really expensive beardeds. Haven't totally decided on what type yet. I only want to breed specialty reptiles, so I always try to find the rarest ones possible. Crazy thing is bearded dragons use to be really uncommon when I was breeding them. I was able to sell some of my slightly colorful ones for $300 each. Now you can find them for $30.

 

[Skipper7]

The rarest seems to be the purple paradox lines and the white zeroes. White zeroes are absolutely breathtaking.

 

[Skipper7]

Link to one of my favorite instagram page's websites: http://www.spicedragons.com

 

[Skipper7]

I also love the wiltbilts with orange!! And phantom/genetic stripes. Phantom stripes from corona dragons seem to be the rarest. http://www.coronadragons.com

Please excuse my rambling :wink:

 

[Rankins]

Wow!! Amazing animals on both sites!! I have seen the Spice Dragons site before. Wouldn't mind having any of the dragons on either page!
At the expos there are a bunch of nice ones. I gotta start paying more attention..