Raising Crickets

Geecko123

Geecko123

New member
hi guys, my questions are, how do you start crickets? when can you start feeding them? what do I need? and, how expensive is it? would it be cheaper to buy them?

the reason I want to raise crickets is because it is probably cheaper than buying them, they are one of the easiest feeders to keep, and because I am pretty sure my leo has bubbles under his arms because I have been feeding him fatty mealworms and I want something better for him. thanks in advance for your help:biggrin:
 
S

Sg612

New member
For one Leo? Maybe cheaper to buy a certain amount weekly because they eat a lot. I’ve always had many mouths to feed and didn’t keep track of what I spent. They are easy to breed. I just placed adults in a tank(or bin) with food, veggies and paper towel soaked with water. The only difference from a regular set up was a rubbermaid food container on one side with eco earth(heat mat under this area only set at 88f(if I remember correctly). I would check the container about 1 week and 1/2 later for the eggs. If I’m satisfied with the quantity, I move the container to another bin to hatch.
 
Geecko123

Geecko123

New member
yeah, I can easily order that, do you put a bowl in filled with it? or do you use it as bedding? I haven't started collecting any supplies yet, but how long does it take to setup a stable cricket colony? and how do I setup the tank?

if I have to many, can I feed the crickets to chickens?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Active member
Geecko123 said:
yeah, I can easily order that, do you put a bowl in filled with it? or do you use it as bedding? I haven't started collecting any supplies yet, but how long does it take to setup a stable cricket colony? and how do I setup the tank?

if I have to many, can I feed the crickets to chickens?
Click to expand...
Sprinkle Pro Gutload dry diet/food right on the bottom of your cricket breeding container -- just a light layer on 1/4 the container's floor. Also leave a little ProGutload dry food in a ridged lid from Jif peanut butter or some other ridged lid. Small crickets use the ridges to climb into the food. Cover the lid with a small section of egg flat. That also helps smaller crickets climb into the food.

Chicks go "bananas" for crickets!

Crickets love hot temps! That's why Louisiana has several cricket breeding facilities.

  1. Will you be able to keep your breeding crickets HOT like Sg612 suggests?
  2. In post 2 on this thread Sg612 mentions her cricket breeding setup. Did you see her post?
  3. Exactly what food do you feed your crickets right now? Fluker's High Calcium Cricket Diet?
  4. Please share a link.
 
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Geecko123

Geecko123

New member
yes I will keep them hot, I already have an extra heat mat with a thermostat. I don't have any crickets right now, but when I have some, I feed them carrots, apple slices, and bread. also, do the non breeding crickets need a heat mat, and the breeding temp is supposed to be 88, correct? sorry for all the questions:biggrin:
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Active member
Geecko123 said:
yes I will keep them hot, I already have an extra heat mat with a thermostat. I don't have any crickets right now, but when I have some, I feed them carrots, apple slices, and bread. also, do the non breeding crickets need a heat mat, and the breeding temp is supposed to be 88, correct? sorry for all the questions:biggrin:
Click to expand...

I keep my Armstrong's crickets at room temps -- 68 ish lows at night. Day time temps range from 70 to upper 70s.

Since I've never bred crickets, go by what Sg612 suggests in post 2 on this thread.

Can you scroll back to see her post?
 
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