Live Feed Supplier Career Profile
- Career Name - Live Feed Supplier
- Category - Health / Business
- Skills Required - Life skills 40% - Career skills 60%
- Basic Subjects - Business Studies, Biology, Language
- Minimum Education - High School
- Species Worked With - Mammals, Birds, Fish, Amphibians, Insects, Worms
- Level of Interaction with Animals - Direct
Do you want to work as a live feed supplier?
READ: This page helps you to read about the career and the info you need to decide on whether this is indeed the career you want to follow.
RESEARCH: ​Learn about the skills required and minimum subjects to enter this career, as well as the places where you can study further after school.
PREPARE: If you want to plan and prepare for your career, then join the OZT Community! Members have access to tools while chatting with other students and experts from around the world. Prepare to be amazed!
CAREER MENTORS
UPDATED:
5 September 2024
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What is a Live Feed Supplier?
A Live Feed Supplier is a professional or business that provides live food, typically in the form of insects, small animals, or Aquatic organisms, to customers who require them for feeding various types of animals. These animals may include reptiles, amphibians, birds of Prey, and certain species of fish and mammals, which rely on live prey as part of their diet.
Live food is living animals used as food for other carnivorous or omnivorous animals kept in captivity; in other words, small preys (such as insects, small fish or rodents) fed alive to larger predators kept either in a zoo or as a pet. (Source: Wikipedia)
A short list of species that are used as live feed:
- Mealworms – for reptiles and spiders
- Crickets – for reptiles, amphibians and spiders
- Mice – for reptiles and raptors
- Frogs – for large reptiles
- Chickens – for large reptiles, such as crocodile and alligator farms
Although earthworms are used as live feed, they are also extensively used to enrich soil for agriculture and gardening. For these reasons, the career has its own profile on OZT.
Career Categories
The Live Feed Supplier career can be found within the following OZT career categories:
- Health
- Business
Most Common Live Feed?
The most common live feed is crickets and mealworm, fed to many species of birds, fish, reptiles and arachnids
New Markets?
The possibility of feeding cattle powdered mealworms or crickets
What does a Live Feed Supplier do?
Groups of animals a Live Feed Supplier works with
A Live Feed Supplier works with various types of animals, primarily those that require live prey as part of their diet. These include:
1. Reptiles
Examples: Snakes (such as pythons, boas), lizards (like geckos, chameleons), turtles.
Common Live Feed: Crickets, mealworms, mice, rats, dubia roaches.
2. Amphibians
Examples: Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
Common Live Feed: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms, small fish, earthworms.
3. Fish
Examples: Carnivorous fish species (e.g., piranhas, cichlids), larger predatory fish.
Common Live Feed: Feeder fish (such as goldfish, minnows), bloodworms, brine shrimp.
4. Birds of Prey
Examples: Owls, hawks, eagles, falcons.
Common Live Feed: Mice, rats, small birds, insects.
5. Exotic Mammals
Examples: Hedgehogs, sugar gliders, ferrets.
Common Live Feed: Insects (crickets, mealworms), small vertebrates (mice).
6. Aquatic Animals
Examples: Turtles, larger carnivorous fish, certain amphibians.
Common Live Feed: Feeder fish, shrimp, earthworms, aquatic invertebrates.
7. Zoo and Wildlife Center Animals
Examples: Large reptiles, birds of prey, marine animals.
Common Live Feed: Large mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs for bigger predators), live fish, insects.
Live Feed Suppliers cater to a range of animals that rely on live prey to fulfil their nutritional and behavioural needs, from small household pets to large zoo species.
What is the level of Interaction with the Animals?
- Directly - A person works directly with the animals with some form of physical contact at least once every few days
- Indirectly - The career doesn't require direct or physical contact at all.
With who does a Live Feed Supplier work?
Besides working with all of the animals, Live Feed Suppliers will need to interact with other people while doing their daily tasks. The people might include fellow staff members (if they work for an existing business under a boss) or the public.
Fellow staff might include:
- Supervisors/Managers
- Operational staff, such as Human Resources, Finance and Maintenance
What does a Live Feed Supplier focus on?
The primary focus of a Live Feed Supplier is to manage the breeding of the animals so that they are in good condition to sells to customers.
What are the daily tasks of a Live Feed Supplier?
- Research different animals and what they eat
- Discuss brief with new customers
- Study breeding of specific animal species
- Maintain the breeding areas
- Harvest animals for sale
- Advertise live feed
- Create a website and add products to an online shop
- Administration and filing
Working conditions of a Live Feed Supplier?
Where does a Live Feed Supplier work?
Environment –
Live Feed Suppliers work mostly indoors in places where the animals can be bred and harvested for customers.
Places of Employment –
Most suppliers start their own businesses, producing products under contract for various clients.
What is the average annual salary of a Live Feed Supplier work?
As most producers are self employed, their income is based on obtaining contracts. On average the income per year is around $30,000. This will differ from country to country.
Can a Live Feed Supplier be promoted?
A person who works as a Live Feed Supplier within an existing business can be promoted.
Advancement in the field typically depends on work experience. First-year suppliers often fit their training commitments around the daily work demands.
The levels of each promotion might differ from organization to organization, but generally are the following:
Intern -> Junior Supplier -> Senior Supplier -> Manager
What kind of difficulties can a Live Feed Supplier face?
The most difficult part is always to get your products seen by future customers. They may work long hours and over weekends and holidays to finish work within tight deadlines.
​Future growth and Possibilities
The industry is doing really well and is predicted to grow over 10% each year.
Which Skills are required by a Live Feed Supplier?
The skills required for a career as a Live Feed Supplier can be divided into two very important groups. The first is the group containing life skills, which are the core skills that are necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. The second group is career skills, or the specific skills required to allow a person to enter and operate effectively within a specific career. Some or maybe even all of the life skills can assist in strengthening the career skills, and they might even be the same for specific careers.
Life Skills
- Self-awareness
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Decision making
- Problem Solving
- Effective communication
- Interpersonal relationship
Career Skills
- Animal Handling
- Animal Care
- Good business knowledge
- Basic customer service skills
- Good health and physical fitness
- Excellent computer literacy
Which Subjects must I have at School to help prepare for this career?
If you are thinking of starting your own business after school, you should definitely have a business or economics subject.
Language will be an excellent subject to help you communicate more effectively as a business
Although Biology is not required, it will help you to learn more about various animals and the nutrition they require.
The subjects you choose at school are important as they lay the foundation for further studies at college or university. While still at school, it’s also important to learn more about the animals you will work with, as well as gain some experience.
OZT has a list of various tertiary institutions where you can study further, after school. Each of these institutions also have their own Group page on OZT where you will find the exact subjects they require of you to have passed in school. Keep these requirements in mind, and discuss it with your school, guidance counselor and parents to ensure that you are prepared!
What will I need to Study to become a Live Feed Supplier?
Minimum Requirements
The minimum educational requirement to start this career is a High School certificate. Most do look into finishing some short courses to help them establish a strong business.
Study Focus
Short Courses –
Courses in animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal food production, business management, marketing
Study Duration
Short Courses are usually between a few weeks and a year.
FREE Career Preparation Path Plan
If this is your dream career that you want to pursue, then it’s important to plan the way forward.
Why is planning important?
​To ensure that you understand the requirements for your career, and that you are always prepared for the next step on the road towards your dream. A preparation path is like your road map to where you want to be.
Possible Paths:
1. Attend Career Guidance Sessions
Participate in career counselling sessions at school to explore careers in animal care, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. Gain awareness of the Live Feed Supplier career, its responsibilities, and potential educational paths.
2. Research All Possible Careers
Research various career options related to animal care, breeding, and supply chain management. Understand the broader spectrum of careers, including breeder, animal caretaker, and supplier roles that support the live feed industry.
3. Explore Educational Paths
Investigate different educational programs, such as vocational training in animal science or small business management, as well as entrepreneurship courses. Identify programmes and certifications that will provide the foundational knowledge needed to start or work in a live feed supply business.
4. Align High School Subjects with the Educational Path
Subjects to Focus On:
Biology (especially animal biology and ecology)
Agricultural Science
Business Studies (for entrepreneurship skills)
Chemistry (for understanding nutrition and health of live feed animals)
Choose subjects that will help you understand the biology and care of animals, as well as the basics of running a business.
5. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent
Complete high school with strong performance in science and business-related subjects. Meet the minimum educational requirements for most entry-level positions or for starting your own business.
6. Learn About Animals You Will Work With
Study the biology and care of animals commonly used as live feed (insects, small mammals, fish, etc.), focussing on their breeding, health, and nutrition. Build knowledge of the specific organisms you’ll be breeding or sourcing to supply to customers.
7. Align Post-School Path with Either Entering a Career/Job Directly, Studying Further, or Starting a Business
Choose between entering the job market as a supplier for existing businesses, continuing education (e.g., animal science, business), or starting your own live feed business. Select the best post-school path based on your skills, financial resources, and career goals.
8. Gain Experience Through Volunteering, Internship, Mentorship, etc.
Volunteer at animal care centres, zoos, or farms that handle live feed to gain hands-on experience. Seek internships with breeders or animal supply companies. Develop practical skills and build connections with professionals in the animal industry.
9. Pursue Extracurricular Activities
Join school clubs such as 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America), or participate in science fairs and competitions focused on biology or entrepreneurship. Enhance your understanding of animals and gain leadership and project management skills.
10. Join Professional Associations
Join organisations like the National Association of Reptile Breeders or Entomological Society of America to gain insights into the industry. Build a network of professionals, access valuable industry resources, and stay informed about trends.
11. Gain Specialised Skills
Learn specialised skills such as insect breeding, small animal husbandry, and business operations through online courses, workshops, or community classes. Gain the technical skills required to run a live feed supply business or work for a company that provides these services.
12. Network with Professionals
Attend conferences, trade shows, or join online forums related to live feed, animal care, and pet industry businesses. Make connections that could lead to job opportunities, mentorship, or business partnerships.
13. Enter the Job Market, Finish Tertiary Studies, or Launch a Business
After completing high school or further studies, either apply for jobs with existing live feed suppliers or launch your own business. Gain entry into the industry, either by working for a company to build experience or by becoming an entrepreneur in the live feed market.
14. Stay Updated and Pursue Continuing Education
Regularly attend workshops, read industry publications, and take courses to keep up with new breeding techniques, regulatory changes, and market trends. Ensure your skills and knowledge stay current, helping you adapt to industry changes and continue growing in your career.
By following this preparation path, high school students will be well-equipped to enter the career of a Live Feed Supplier, whether through direct employment or entrepreneurship.
Possible Combined Career Paths
It is possible to sometimes combine two or more related careers. This normally happens when you study and practice a specific main career, but the knowledge and experience gained also help you to have a paying hobby or secondary income career.
Possible Alternatives (there are a lot more):
Stepping Stone Career
Being a Live Feed Supplier can also be used as a stepping stone career. A stepping stone career is one which is used to help you get to another career, normally because the other career is too difficult to reach (sometimes due to things like high fees etc).
You can begin after basic short courses and expert guidance (maybe working under a mentor). The money made can then be used to pay for studies towards a promotion or another career, and the experience helps in gaining knowledge. One paying to help get to the other.
Some of the possible paths:
Training and apprenticeship
Even though it is important to study to get into some of the animal careers, most of the skills you will need as a live feed business owner will be acquired through practice. This means that you will learn how to perform some of the daily tasks by actually doing it a few times and learning the steps.
Apprenticeship is also possible where you learn skills from a person who has been in the business for a while.
Join the Live Feed Suppliers Group in the OZT Community to learn more and even interact with the educational institutions that will help you secure your dream career!
Average level of education of all the people who enter the career:
Licenses, Certificate, Registration and Professional Associations
Certain animal careers require some form of legal certification to prove that you can indeed do the work, and work with the necessary equipment.
If you are going to work with live feed and start a business, you will have to secure a business license, and in some countries a permit to Breed certain kinds of animals, such as mice and frogs.
Learn more about requirements by joining the OZT Community.
Professional Associations
- None Added Yet
Where can I study further?
All of the above information will help you understand more about the Career, including the fact that there are different paths to take to reach it. But if you are almost done with High School (Grades 11 or 12), you also need to start thinking about further studies, and WHERE you will study.
See the List of Universities, Colleges and Online Training Academies who offer courses towards pet nutrition and live food production and management.
How do I start to prepare for this Career?
If you do decide on following this career, then OZT can assist you in figuring out a path to prepare, as well as help you to gain further knowledge about the career and the animals you will be working with. We do this by offering you FREE career development tools. There are almost a dozen free tools, but these are the three primary ones:
CAREER PATH PLAN
Use the career path plan above on this profile as an example to follow, or to work out your own path.
COST; Free
ACCESS: Open to visitors and MembersÂ
SHORT COURSES
Access easy-to-use short courses to make your career preparation easier! The basic information in each course is free, but the rewards can only be unlocked as an OZT member!
COST; Free
ACCESS: Open to visitors and MembersÂ
STUDY GUIDE
Get a supercharged study guide that fits into the career path plan! Now that's really upping your preparation game! Join us for free to gain access!
COST; Free
ACCESS: Members Only
But, if you are still uncertain about choosing this specific career, and even where to start, then have a look at our special series of WHAT NEXT courses (link below). They take you through all of the questions you might have on how to choose the right career, what to do while at and after school, and even how to start your own business.
OR
Join the OZT community and career Group
Join us as a special member and learn more about becoming a Live Feed Supplier.
Members of the Platform have special access to:
- Info on the best places where you can study (colleges, universities and online)
- Expertly designed advice to prepare you for the career, and links to places where you can gain valuable experience. For some career experience is necessary, otherwise you wont get the job!
- Top notch info on each of the different species you will work with
- Make friends around the world and share knowledge
- Compete and win points, badges, games, prizes and certificates. Be the best of the best, while you learn and prepare!
If you have decided on being a Live Feed Supplier, please click on the JOIN GROUP button. Members will be directed to the Group, while non-members will be assisted to register first.
If this career is NOT the career for you, then you may return to the MAIN CAREERÂ menu, and search for something different.
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