Why I couldn't breed Amy and Tommy

[Miss Lily]

Don't get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to raise a clutch of 'AmyToms' - it would be the most amazing experience for me. However, I would feel totally responsible for them even after they had been sold. Also there would most likely be a shortage of suitable new owners on the Island I live on. I just can't do it - and I certainly don't have space to keep all those babies as adults. It's a huge shame for me as I would love to experience hatching my own babies at some point, but common sense must prevail for me - I look at the bigger picture and just can't do it. If the reptile specialist shop can't find responsible forever homes for a few baby chams, then what chance do I have?

 

[SageZA]

respect. no worries

what is it going to cost you to add extra space to host the lil ones.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Ive never had a hard time finding buyers. Do you guys have any reptile expos on the island? If so try and coordinate your breeding efforts to coincide with the date of the expo. You'd prob find plenty of demand at events like that. You wont profit from a clutch of veileds but you would get to exp the joy of breeding your own clutch.

 

[lisa h]

Good call IMO. A tough, but responsible choice.

 

[Miss Lily]

There are a few shows, the nearest being across the water in Portsmouth at the end of this month. The added problem I have living on this Island is that I have at least an hours journey before I can even get off the boat for the onward journey to wherever.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I understand its a tough decision.

 

[jannb]

I understand just how you feel Tiff. I felt the exact same way. I wanted to experience firsthand, not just helping with my daughter's but my own Luie & Camille babies just one time. It was a wonderful but very expensive experience. The hardest part was finding good homes for the babies and I had a small clutch of 27. It was really hard to get the females the kind of homes that I wanted for them. I had to ship all over the US. Could you possibably ship? The second hardest part was putting them in the box to ship them. I cried every time.

 

[Gensen]

Jann...

I understand just how you feel Tiff. I felt the exact same way. I wanted to experience firsthand, not just helping with my daughter's but my own Luie & Camille babies just one time. It was a wonderful but very expensive experience. The hardest part was finding good homes for the babies and I had a small clutch of 27. It was really hard to get the females the kind of homes that I wanted for them. I had to ship all over the US. Could you possibably ship? The second hardest part was putting them in the box to ship them. I cried every time.

Yes, I am sure it was super tough... but you did a terrific job finding them wonderful owners I see them posted on the Forum and they all look magnificent... so a job well done all around! Happy endings!

But, I'm sure there was allot of expense involved with the experience as well. Breeding many times is for love or experience... those who think they will make a profit generally find out that they are in the "red" afterwards if giving proper care, conditions and commitment.

 

[laurie]

Tiff you are making the correct decision if it is what you feel is right. I know you would enjoy babies from Amy & Tommy but you are responsible person possible to look at all the issues before you would breed. What a great keeper you are.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Why not do it and only keep a small amount (4-5) of the eggs to hatch??

 

[Carlton]

Don't get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to raise a clutch of 'AmyToms' - it would be the most amazing experience for me. However, I would feel totally responsible for them even after they had been sold. Also there would most likely be a shortage of suitable new owners on the Island I live on. I just can't do it - and I certainly don't have space to keep all those babies as adults. It's a huge shame for me as I would love to experience hatching my own babies at some point, but common sense must prevail for me - I look at the bigger picture and just can't do it. If the reptile specialist shop can't find responsible forever homes for a few baby chams, then what chance do I have?

Actually, think about it this way:

Your chams are probably just as happy (and maybe healthy) breeding or not.
You won't be subjecting Amy to the risks of the whole egg laying cycle.
Chams don't pine for babies unborn, they live in the moment.
There are lots of babies around who DO need good homes.
You can enjoy your chams just as they are.

 

[Bokaru]

Why not do it and only keep a small amount (4-5) of the eggs to hatch??

In my opinion that would be a very hard decision. You would be stopping the chance of some of the chameleons to live and what would happen if the ones you chose didn't hatch? I mean chances are if the ones you have don't hatch then the others wouldn't as well, but gambling on a few eggs could result in this outcome. There are so many just for that reason (as well as predation after hatching).

And finally just hatching a few takes away from the experience some. If you're going to hatch a clutch you should try to hatch them all.

Good decision Miss Lilly. Chameleon care is all about responsibility and this was definitely the responsible path to choose.

 

[KingJulien]

Why not do it and only keep a small amount (4-5) of the eggs to hatch??

That's exactly what I was thinking too. I'm sure some might have an issue with destroying viable eggs, but I see no reason to follow in octo-mom's footsteps and use every single egg if you don't need to.

 

[Miss Lily]

Why not do it and only keep a small amount (4-5) of the eggs to hatch??

A friend of mine also suggested this, but I am not sure that I could deny the others the chance to hatch. I suppose it's worth considering though. Amy is almost 20 months old now and still hasn't laid a single egg yet, although I suspect she is working on her first clutch as we speak!

 

[warpdrive]

Tiff,

if you are not going to just hatch out 4 or 5 eggs, then don't do it.
you are wise to think that it will be hard to find good homes for them. because in reality, not everyone wants a demanding pet.

no matter what, we got your back. so keep thinking about it, but let's also be realistic.

Harry

 

[ShaunaLynnA]

Tiff,
whatever your final decision is we all have your back. Your thinking the way you are though is a responsible choice. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you chose!

 

[chameleonneeds]

Maybe knowing the demand and supply is a good way to start.
Ask petstores what they know about people wanting Veileds.
And if they are really expensive where you live then they must be at a high demand.

I dont think I would ever out of a large clutch, only let 4-5 live. Its the same as abortion. In my eyes its not right.
Ever thought of maybe finding someone else to take the eggs?
You can then keep about 5 and someone else takes the rest.
Seems better than just killing the others.

 

[Miss Lily]

That is a thought, but whoever would take the eggs will ultimately be in the same position as I and we would both be looking to the same shops/market to seell them on. I just wish I didn't live on this stupid Island.

 

[Olimpia]

I don't think hatching out something like 10 eggs takes away from the experience. What is the experience? To be completely overwhelmed by 40-60 eggs? A clutch is a clutch. But whatever, that's not the point

It's a very reasonable desicion Tiff, there are a lot of things to consider. If she were a gecko she would only lay between 2-6 eggs and then you could just keep them all!

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I dont think I would ever out of a large clutch, only let 4-5 live. Its the same as abortion. In my eyes its not right.
.

Can you put any more human emotion into it. Maybe if you don't hatch the eggs its murder.