This
business of raising and selling rare or unusual animals, where both expenses
and profits are much bigger than normal. Llamas, angora rabbits, mink,
pheasant, snakes, bullfrogs, spiders and miniature horses are but a few of the
possibilities in this large category.
Which
animals you raise will of course be influenced by your own preferences, the
facilities you can provide, where you live, and of course the market in your
area. You can go into this business from a hobby or just go out and buy a pair
of whatever animals you would like to raise.
The
primary advantage to "exotic" rather than regular animals is income
potential. Raising ordinary rabbits requires far less investment in breeding
stock, facilities, care and time than expensive, pedigreed angoras.
However,
when its time to market ordinary rabbits, they are worth perhaps two to five
dollars each. Pedigreed angoras would be worth many times that, especially if
they had a blue ribbon winner in their ancestry.
With
a $100 animal, you have an incentive to provide the best care and living
conditions and call that $25 per hour veterinarian at the first hint of
trouble.
A
litter of ordinary rabbits would represent about $50; angoras, say $500.
Needless to say, you have an incentive to invest more in care of the more
valuable investment.
The
first step after deciding upon an animal that would fit your situation is to
learn all you can about that animal. Study its habits, feed and shelter
requirements and learn something about diseases or genetic problems that might
affect your ability to properly care for them.
Although
there is a good profit potential expensive animals require more care and closer
attention than ordinary farm stock or pets... It would be very good idea to
discuss your plans with a veterinarian before going too far. Find out about
normal health problems, which ones you can treat, the cost of preventive care
(and the cost of veterinary treatment).
If
you are not already equipped (facilities and experience), it would be a good
idea to begin with "ordinary" animals of the type you plan to raise.
Raise these until you are ready to progress to more expensive, exotic breeds.
In
other words, learn and make any mistakes with $5 animals, not $50-$100! But be
very careful when you change over. It imperative to keep pedigreed and ordinary
animals apart to prevent inter-breeding. It is just as important to prevent the
spread of diseases borne by ordinary species, which are unusually much more
disease resistant.
Before
placing your expensive, exotic breeds in quarters formerly occupied by ordinary
animals, take special precautions. Clean and treat the areas thoroughly so your
prized exotics can get started in clean, disease and pest free living conditions.
Study
potential diseases of the animals you select. Learn how to prevent and even
treat as many problems as you can. You don't want to pay expensive veterinarian
fees for things you can take care of (or prevent) yourself.
Consider
the weather in your area -- will you need heaters or cooling for the animals
you plan to raise?
How
about feed or bedding materials? Check will feed stores on the various types of
feed (some have added vitamins and/are medically treated.
Can
you raise any of these things yourself or make a deal with a nearby farmer to
at least augment feeding costs?
When
you have decided upon the animals you plan to raise, and have learned of their
care and habits, its is time to start building pens, sheds and feeding areas.
Pay
particular attention to safety of your charges (as well as neighbors, if
applicable) Birds, for example, not only need wire cages to keep them in; they
need strong wire to keep any predators out.
This
may include snakes that only 1/4 inch wire mesh about three feet can repel.
Also, take special care to arrange your pens or cages so the animals will not
be frightened or excited by their surroundings, which could interfere with
their development or well-being. In some cases, it will be necessary to fence
off a buffer zone, build a solid fence or plant a hedge to make sure your
animals feel secure.
The
exotic animal business will probably take time to build, but can be especially
rewarding for someone who is fond of animals.
Subscribe
to a good trade journal and look into joining an association of people
interested in the same or similar animals.
Attend
shows and fairs and enter your prize animals --not only for the prize money,
but for the recognition and prestige it will afford your business. A blue
ribbon will change a $20 rabbit into a $200 rabbit instantly! Even the
descendants of the the prize rabbit will be worth more; especially if they are
registered.
Exotic
animals are raised for many different reasons -- as pets, for their fur, wool,
or feathers or food, as oddities for special purposes or many combinations
thereof.
Some
of the businesses are quite unique: a man in California raises tarantulae and
"rents" them to jewelry stores. He delivers them at closing time,
places a large warning sign in the window and picks them up each weekday
morning. It seems break-ins have dropped drastically in stores with
"guard-tarantuals"!
Spiders
are also raised for their webs (science labs use them); snakes for their venom
(used to make snake bite serum). The business of raising laboratory mice is
also very lucrative -- thousands are purchased by science centers every year.
For
more ideas on exotic animals you might want to raise, check out some books in
the library and do some research; check with discount book stores; exotic
animal magazines, and spend some time with a good encyclopedia. If you decide
to get into the exotic animal business, pick an animal you like and respect --
then treat it as something special. Not only is this right, it a sound business
principle.
If
you want to get exotic prices for you exotic animals (or products),
"showcase" them as something special! Keep them and their area in top
condition. Let everyone see that your animals are special (and valuable).
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