Quick Breeders?

[Ododad]

Does it bother anyone else that some people get a hedgie and then two weeks later are experts and are breeding? Then I see threads asking what to expect. Normally I mind my own business, but this is bothering me.

[horse_chic89]

yeah, i know how you feel, sry if i have done this. i have learned ALOT from you guys though and am still learning lots!!

[Nancy]

You are so right Billy. I see it all the time and with every breed of animal on every forum.

I think some people think breeding is a quick way to make money. They reply to every ad of people who are selling or better yet giving away their animal.

Many times they breed the animals first and then start learning about them. Well guess who it is that suffers. The animal.

After a month or two the same people are trying to sell the same animals because they have discovered that breeding was too much work. Too many regulations. Too time consuming. Too expensive.

Unfortunatly there is nothing we can do but offer advice.

[Janine]

Does it bother anyone else that some people get a hedgie and then two weeks later are experts and are breeding? Then I see threads asking what to expect. Normally I mind my own business, but this is bothering me.

I understand what you're saying and agree that people often make hasty decisions, but try not to discourage :( . I would love to eventually begin breeding.

I would like to think that new threads and questions would be welcomed... what better place is there to turn than the knowledgeable and experienced breeders on this site? If I ever decide to breed, it would be a great comfort to know that you guys are out there and willing to help out.

[Ododad]

I didn't mean that statement to be directed at anyone in particular and to discourage is the last thing I want to do. I am not refering to someone who gets a hedgie, spends time learning about hedgies, studys the world of hedgies and then makes an intelligent decision to breed. Neither do I consider age to be a factor. I have never bred, nor do I ever intend to. I couldn't take the hurt of losing a litter and I couldn't bear to part with the babies.
Let me be a little clearer. I see nothing wrong with someone who wants to learn to breed hedgies and has an honest desire and willingness to commit themselfs to this daunting task. I will be frank, because this is something I believe in and don't want anymore misunderstandings. What bothers me is when I read that someone has gotten a new hedgie, and by asking a lot of questions, show that they are just now learning about hedgies and then two weeks later, are all over this board trying to acquire as many hedgies as they can, and already advertising babies for sale. I just don't think two weeks is enough time to learn how to breed hedgies. There is a lot more to it than just sticking a male and female together. Janine, you say that eventually you would love to begin breeding. The key word here is eventually. Would you get a hedgie, spend two weeks with it and then start buying up every hedgie you could get your hands on and begin promising out babies? Of course not. That is what I am talking about and that is what is bothering me.
New threads and questions are always welcome and the wonderful people here are free with informative advice. I have had Odo for seven months and would be a nut case if not for the help and advice that I have gotten from this board. Seven months, and there is no way I am qualified to try to breed. Ask any long time breeder here and see how long they waited to begin breeding after they got their first hedgie. I hope I have made my intent a little clearer.

[Janine]

Thank you for being clearer. I understand and agree with what you were saying, it just made me a little nervous. I know that when reasonable decisions are made, support will be here for the most part. :)

Cheers, Ododad :thumbup:

[Janine]

Just let me add that I'm not considering breeding anytime soon.

[Ododad]

yeah, i know how you feel, sry if i have done this. i have learned ALOT from you guys though and am still learning lots!!
I did not name names, and did not point a finger at anyone in particular. I have read most of your post and find them to be intelligent and mature. You ask important questions and listen to the advice given you. Given your desire to learn, and obvious love for your hedgie you seem to me to be someone who would breed responsibly and carefully when you were ready. I don't see you trying to trade your hedgie that you just got to get a male or female to breed. I don't see you posting that you have babies for sale from a hedgie that you have had for less than two weeks. I don't see you trying to acquire every hedgie that you see for sale and collecting them like they were some kinda of breeding money machine. That is what I am talking about. I love my hedgies, they are a part of my family and it bothers me when someone is trading and buying and selling hedgies to get more breeding pairs and two weeks ago they were asking questions on what to expect from their very first hedgie. Its as simple as that.

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

Well said and reasonably stated. No one should feel that this is directed at any specific person, just an overall concern for the tiny little creatures we all know and love. Care and concern are what I think makes this forum so attractive for me as a new owner....... :D

By the way, I would love to start breeding and.............AHA! :laugh: gotya.....just a little joke to lighten things up. I feel that I could not love anyone else but my little gal. LOL

This forum has also been a godsend to me with all my questions and I have learned alot here that I have put to use helping me be a better owner. There are alot of patient and knowlegeable owners/breeders here who give wonderful and knowledgeable advice. I would like to thank each and every one of you right now!! :applause:

LEA :)

[Ododad]

Thank you for being clearer. I understand and agree with what you were saying, it just made me a little nervous. I know that when reasonable decisions are made, support will be here for the most part. :)

Cheers, Ododad :thumbup: I hope I didn't sound cross to you. I didn't mean to. Please forgive a grumpy old man for preaching. I hope you do decide to breed when you are ready and I will be the first to beg to see the babies. I have a friend who breeds and even though she knows just about everything there is to know about breeding and has been doing this for awhile, I hear her tears when she loses a litter and can see her heart breaking in her letters when a baby didn't make it. Breeding these little gifts from God shouldn't be taken lightly because so many things can go wrong. I wish you all the luck that I can when you decide to breed and of course, would love to help you with any question that I may be able to answer. I am in no way any kind of expert, but there are many of those here and I believe you could count on their help and support. This really is a great board.