I noticed the post is locked so I was unable to reply to Rider's question regarding my generation and how long I've been playing.

Rather than post exact details of what I'm doing, since I think it's important everyone develop their own precise style, I will say that I stick by my G2, G3, and G4 groups as my core group of nests.

Within 4 weeks of breeding my highest coat has been a Highland. Yes, I have everything below the Highland. That said I did not purchase my Highland, and neither parent was a starter. They were from simple run of the mill 2 plain meeroos with no traits or special siblings or parents to show for it.

My brood is now considered "too small" to breed out adequately as far as proper traits so I have had to influx new blood bringing my Generation up to 6. I buy a great quantity of outside blood and match them up later. Ones that do not end up working I resell in my stall or pass on to someone else as a gift. At the current level of where the roos are, for me to buy anything too far up (aka true "rare") would be ineffecient. My final "influx" of new blood is always limited to no more than 4 nests. So basically I buy first and check later. Most of what I purchase do not work and this may seem illogical to most, but becuase of how my SL is spent this is the best method for me at this time.

My nests have become satisfactory enough that I've slowly begun to sell a few nests here and there though I do so with hesitancy. I have probably sold a total of 5 nests and live roos.

I'm happy with the process so far, it has worked for me.

Other notes to mention: I do not use an auto petter, I simply refuse to spend that amount of money on an item that may later cause me issues with regard or my hud. Besides, if down to my last 1k and asked where would I spend my lindens on (after tiers of course) it will always be the food, then the roos, and always in that order.

I am very careful about releasing my roos or my nests, and rarely do either.

Some breeders breed nests with a million traits in them. Others want that rare coat. Some approach this in strictly a business fashion. Some enjoy unlocking the puzzle. Others merely want a good steady provision of solid heritage stock.

I fall in the last 2 categories. And should something wonderful fall my way good enough to be in demand, then I'll be happy to see my methods work, and I stress, they work for me.

As Catherine said, every breeder needs to find their own successful road, or you'll have difficulty unlocking the next step. What I've just said may be helpful to no one, but me. Who knows ?

But I read in anther post you have a koi, regardless of the source congratulations and all the luck to the future OS!