I would like to start breeding Siamese (Wedge Heads specifically) though probably not immediately since money is a bit tight at the moment. Does anyone have any suggestions? I want to do this right!
This is very important because you do not want any of your kittens to end up in a shelter environment. Responsible breeders take precautions to ensure that their cats and the kittens they produce are kept out of the shelter system.A good breeder also has a contract when selling kittens. Any kittens that are pet quality (learn the difference between pet and show) should be neutered/spayed. YOU are responsible for every kitten you produce. Be prepared to take back kittens if something happens and the person can't keep the kitten (or help them find a new home).
Yes, it is!! While I don't want to harp on the financial aspects of it, you ~must~ be prepared. One queen requiring an emergency c-section can easily zap your entire savings! Bottle raising kittens if you are forced to is both time intensive AND expensive. Most responsible, established breeders won't give you the time of day much less a stud service, so you may be forced to keep your own male. Keeping a male in your home requires special consideration in the form of a suitable stud environment, which can be very expensive to buy or build and you must be extra vigilant in keeping that environment squeaky-clean. You must also possess the type of personality to do what it takes to care for a stud ... you have to be very understanding of their nature and not become upset when they act like a stud and it helps to have patience, some more patience and even then, a little more patience. Raising the kittens until they are 12 to 16 weeks old (feeding a premium diet at least three to four times per day, vet bills for all three rounds of vaccines, early spay/neuter if you are lucky enough to find a vet that will do it and any other health issues that can and do come up) is also very, very costly money-wise, not to mention the time involved in properly socializing them so they will be loving companions to the people who want to share their homes with them.Originally Posted by bengalbabe
It's expensive to breed.
There is no "probably" to it. If you believe you are going to make money from breeding, then you shouldn't breed. Period.Originally Posted by bengalbabe
You really have to look at your intentions for breeding. If you think you'll make money then you probably should'nt breed.
Contrary to popular belief, breeding is ~not~ about selling kittens. While it is true that kittens are a by-product of breeding, you should not be breeding solely to produce them. You are breeding to bring betterment to the breed. If you are breeding for ANY other reason, then you are not breeding for the RIGHT reason.Originally Posted by bengalbabe
Sometimes it's not easy to sell the kittens either (depending on time of year, area where you live in, ect.). Be prepaird to take care of any kittens that might take awhile to sell and don't breed any more untill they do sell. If you do you'll probably end up with a kitty mill.
Even better, start out with a rescued pregnant queen to see if you have what it takes to even BE a breeder. Associate yourself with a local rescue and become a foster - care for a pregnant queen through delivery, raise the kittens and help the rescue find suitable adoptive homes. If you come through the experience wanting to continue, THEN start out with one female as mentioned above.Originally Posted by bengalbabe
Like said earlier, if you do decide to breed start out with ONE female and be sure she fits the breed standard at least well enough to be a qualified breeder.
With Modern Siamese (as you have commented you would like to breed), showing is almost a necessity. And if you are registered with CFA, consider showing a requirement. In CFA, if you do not show, then you are in direct violation of your breeder's code of ethics and are considered a "back-yard breeder", one who breeds simply to produce kittens. So, while many may not choose to show, the sad fact is that with Modern Siamese, if you don't show, you run the risk of ruining your reputation as a responsible breeder.Originally Posted by bengalbabe
I don't agree you need to show first as I don't like the show scene and there are a lot of good breeders who don't show but if you want to learn first hand what a show quality cat looks like you could attand shows-preferably with a breeder mentor. Ask lots of questions!
Depending on which registry association you choose to support, Lynx and Torties may NOT be registered as Siamese. They are Color Points in CFA.Originally Posted by Cherriey
I have a rented book on cat breeds and colors that I've been reading; so far some of my favorite Siamese colors are: Seal Lynx Point, most of the Tortie Points, and those are my main favorites...
Wow I didn't know that. Sure isn't that way in the bengal world. Then again the CFA isn't a factor. I go to every show that comes around and they really are a lot of fun.Originally Posted by gayef
With Modern Siamese (as you have commented you would like to breed), showing is almost a necessity. And if you are registered with CFA, consider showing a requirement. In CFA, if you do not show, then you are in direct violation of your breeder's code of ethics and are considered a "back-yard breeder", one who breeds simply to produce kittens. So, while many may not choose to show, the sad fact is that with Modern Siamese, if you don't show, you run the risk of ruining your reputation as a responsible breeder.
Yes the little guy in my sig..Ares is a doll faced persianOriginally Posted by Cherriey
Yes... just before I went to bed I read a little on the CFA breed requirements. Whatever their colors cats are still cats and adorable no matter what!
I'm so glad that I'm getting responses to my inquiry! Not that I thought no one would respond but because I like to know about all avenues before I even start the engine. I'm definitely going to take it slow. I love cats and have wanted to be involved with a community scene/group for a long time. Don't really know what's taken me so long to get here but I'm here now. Originally I fostered the idea of breeding alley cats. Reading about the cat community now that sounds rediculous. Too bad; the colors and markings coming from alley cats are fascinating! I was hoping to produce an elite form of alley cat. I don't think anyone from the serious cat community would be interested in a project like that though... not from what I've been reading anyway.
Oh! A quick question: do they still sell and breed traditional Persians (the ones around in the 1900s) or are those with the flat faced the only ones around? I've noticed that they have 'Applehead' Siamese so I was just curious about Persians.