Taking money out of the equation...

I've thought long and hard about this and have decided to stop "selling" mice for now.

I love breeding mice. It's a wonderful experience and learning about the genetics is just as fun as having bubs. However, since I started breeding show-type some of the joy has gone out of it because instead of being able to just enjoy the babies and share pics of my faves I find myself loathing having to take pictures because I know that if I take pics of some I need to take pics of ALL. After all, you can't sell cute critters without cute pics! *sigh*

I also really wanted to go to the the Rodentfest so I could attend the show, but in order to do that I need to sell a TON of bubs and by the time the show rolls around I'm going to be freaking SICK of mice at the rate things are going! O_o Besides, I'd rather show mice I bred myself from lines I've had for at LEAST a couple generations, otherwise I can't take full pride in them. Anyone can pair 2 great mice together and get great babies, but carefully choosing the best of each generation and breeding them together takes more effort. If done right you can get BETTER mice then what you originally got, but if done wrong you could end up with crap. As I've heard many-a-times, just because a mouse is from show-type lines doesn't make it a show mouse...

Soooo...I've decided to cancel the adoptions I had lined up for the show and instead I will be offering whichever babies I don't keep at NO CHARGE to other breeders. However, they will have to be picked up in person either by the person getting the mice or by someone they trust who will then RR the mice to whomever is getting them. I will not be keeping any "surplus" mice past 6 weeks. This means that if anyone wants babies then they will have to get them as soon as they're ready(boys are ready at 4 weeks and girls at 6 weeks)! We are currently living with friends and space is VERY limited. I want to focus on breeding show-type mice and need every square inch I can get in order to do so, which means not having to find room for tons of babies who are waiting to get picked up. :/

I apologize to those of you who were wanting mice from me at the show and will no longer be able to get them. On a brighter note, if you're able to find someone to get them for you then you won't have to pay a dime!

That being said, if anyone is interested in bubs you're more then welcome to contact me in the future and if I have what you're wanting and you're able to come get them then they're all yours. Certain mice will only be allowed to go to breeders I know and trust, such as mice from TH(True Hairless) lines.

BTW, I want to say thank you to breeders in the UK. You have given me a whole new perspective on mouse breeding! You guys have such amazing mice that I'm sure alot of time, effort, and money has gone into and yet you breed purely for joy, not money, which allows you to fully enjoy the hobby without the constraints of having to break even or meet people's demands. All you want to do is enjoy breeding mice and then spread the joy when you have babies to share. Kudos to you all and thank you for rubbing off on me and allowing me to see what it's all about so I, too, can fully enjoy mouse breeding! *hugs*

I hate to say it, but nobody makes money on mice. If you want to be an exhibitioner, you have to make monetary sacrifices, there's no way around it.

I'm sorry that you feel the way you do, but I hope that you work things out.

P.S. I don't even want to mention how much money me and Elena are putting into the show. Even though we're not paying for the venue (we're paying for tables) we're still putting out own money out of our pockets into the show, and there's no way we'll make that money back just by selling mice. Sure I'll go home with cash in hand, but when I compare it to the money spent to enjoy myself and give others a chance to show their mice, I'll be in the red.

I usualy always attend fest and never charge breeders I know for the mice I have. I actualy usually do trades most if all. I always leave the fest in the red. I attend to get more great mice and meetup with people who enjoy mice as much as I do. I enjoy talking with everyone and educating the public in how great mice are. Those are the reasons I go. I am very sorry you feel the way you do.

Sorry to hear all this. You should enjoy your bubs. Enjoy your little ones. You have great mice. Be Happy. Robin

If there's a color that's redder than red, that's where I'll be!

I go through about 500 lbs of food per month, cots me about 300 in gas round trip for the show, hotels, food, travel mouse tubs, tables, signage, trailer rental (if I need it), and so on and so on and so on.

I think I've sold a total of 5 mice so far?

Putting photos of bubs up, selling bubs at shows and to other breeders, etc has no bearing on the pairings I make

My bf hates that I'm spending so much money on this, but, it's a passion of mine and I find shows a very important part of the show mouse breeding process.

I feel the same as you guys. If I go to a show it's because I want to go for ME and want to enjoy myself and see amazing mice and show some of my own.

I do NOT, however, want to spend the whole time hunting down everyone getting bubs from me so I can scrounge up the little bit of money to help pay for the trip. Ugh. I would just want to relax and enjoy myself and maybe make a few trades to help improve my breeding program.

Mouserlove01- my hubby wasn't crazy about the mice to begin with, but he's seen how passionate I am about them and is now fully supportive of them. As long as I'm the one paying for everything he doesn't care how much I spend, lol. He's also great about going on road trips with me to get more mice. We've already had 2 cross-country trips to get mice and a 4-hour midnight rendezvous to meet up with a breeder.

You've never been to a mouse show! There's no hunting down, stress, etc. It's fun, relaxed, and an awesome time. (at least it was for me, and I brought a huge trailer full of stuff!)

Plus we all go out after, usually and have a good time.

My bf even had a chance to nap

It was the most fun I had in a long time!

She is right...... I LOVE the relaxed drive down and the relaxed atmosphere of the shows and fests. I love seeing everyone again and meeting new people. Afterward we always go out and eat or once we all ordered LOTS of food and hooked up at the hotel and ate together there. It is loads of fun. You really should come and see for yourself even if you don't bring any mice. My friend Joann does not breed mice at all but she comes with me to all the shows and events. She enjoys the atmosphere and meeting new people.

Hey there, I am sorry you are overwhelmed, but sometimes I am sure we all breed a few too many litters or find ourselves with some extra boys!

Can anyone hold my reserved mice for Rodentfest? Let me know.

Tiny, we're trying very hard to work something out with Love2read.
We'll let you know what happens.

Sounds good!