Crickets

[BugBoy99]

Greetings,


How are you doing?


I just started a colony of crickets, so that I can have enough pinheads for when I next have froglets (I am currently raising Ptychadena tadpoles).

My female crickets are laying many eggs, and in about seven days, I should have pinheads.What I would like to know is what does everyone else feed their pinhead crickets? How do you water them?

And, is a diet full of water-rich foods, such as watermelon, orange, and potato okay to fulfill the water needs of your crickets?


Thanks,
Joh

[unkempt1]

You can feed them anything you would feed regular sized crickets. I feed mine mustard greens, turnip greens, and collard greens. Also sometimes an occasional apple or mango. These are regular sized ones, but I can't see pinheads having different dietary needs.

That aside, pretty much any fruit or veggie will have enough water. I don't use water crystals for them. Just make sure that if you are gut-loading, to feed them what you want your frog to get out of them.

[BugBoy99]

Hi Unkempt,

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I appreciate it.

I will definitely be giving that a try.

[flybyferns]

Here are 2 photos of my current try at that idea in the YouTube video.



Lots of soil- it has to be as close to the screen as possible.
I noticed this AM- They are actually using the over-hanging screen to climb up.
(handy dandy ladder)

[flybyferns]

Greetings,


How are you doing?


I just started a colony of crickets, so that I can have enough pinheads for when I next have froglets (I am currently raising Ptychadena tadpoles).

My female crickets are laying many eggs, and in about seven days, I should have pinheads.What I would like to know is what does everyone else feed their pinhead crickets? How do you water them?

And, is a diet full of water-rich foods, such as watermelon, orange, and potato okay to fulfill the water needs of your crickets?


Thanks,
Joh

Hi,
I would consider using a prepare ( ie flukers ) cricket food as well.
If if recall- they should NOT be maintained on the gut load.
The variety you have planned is great !

I just set up this ( fiber glass screen idea ) I used tropical soil in the container.
The screen is flexible enough to get the ( trimmed ) lid back on.
I used the low 'glad' container---but they still need a little ladder to get onto it.

Female Crickets Laying Eggs - YouTube

My girls are still a little too young; but it looks like it works well !

Lynn

[BugBoy99]

Hi Fly By Ferns,

Thank you for the input.

I usually prefer not to use prepared foods for things like crickets, and tadpoles. Mostly, because we do not have a reliable distributor in South Africa(or else our pet shops don't order from them). As a result, our prepared products are imported, and cost a fortune. Thank you for the idea though.

Wow, that is a very nice screen that you've made. I'm still attempting to find a screen that is small enough. For now, I have a very "caveman" looking screen. I didn't have small metal screen, so I took a larger one, and simply bent it over the top of the container, and then placed another layer on top. The Crickets seemed to have been in their storage cage for a while. As soon as I put in the egg-laying container, five females descended upon it. Then there was never less than five females laying eggs at a time. During one stage, there was 21 females laying eggs(I bought them full grown)! So, I'm hoping for success.

I removed the container this morning, because some crickets were finding their way underneath the screen and I worried that they might eat the eggs. And, I'm going to prepare fresh sand for them now. I placed the container right next to their egg cartons, so they just walk over.

Thank you so much for your input.
Joh

[flybyferns]

Hi Fly By Ferns,

Thank you for the input.

I usually prefer not to use prepared foods for things like crickets, and tadpoles. Mostly, because we do not have a reliable distributor in South Africa(or else our pet shops don't order from them). As a result, our prepared products are imported, and cost a fortune. Thank you for the idea though.

Wow, that is a very nice screen that you've made. I'm still attempting to find a screen that is small enough. For now, I have a very "caveman" looking screen. I didn't have small metal screen, so I took a larger one, and simply bent it over the top of the container, and then placed another layer on top. The Crickets seemed to have been in their storage cage for a while. As soon as I put in the egg-laying container, five females descended upon it. Then there was never less than five females laying eggs at a time. During one stage, there was 21 females laying eggs(I bought them full grown)! So, I'm hoping for success.

I removed the container this morning, because some crickets were finding their way underneath the screen and I worried that they might eat the eggs. And, I'm going to prepare fresh sand for them now. I placed the container right next to their egg cartons, so they just walk over.

Thank you so much for your input.
Joh

Joh,
It is fiberglass screen ( it is kind of like fabric) that is available in lg rolls at a big box store here in the US ( ie Home Depot)
Maybe it can be purchased on line , a hardware type store, or even a general store ?

[BugBoy99]

Nice. Very handy having those extra little pieces for them to climb on. I considered using nylon mesh(which is readily available), but I think they'll eat it. I'll have a look at the fiberglass mesh, though. Thank you. Have you noticed if they try to eat the mesh over the soil?

[flybyferns]

No ........they are not eating it.
I don't think they would eat nylon either. cotton - yes !
They love cotton; so I would assume they would go after more 'natural' fibers.
There is a fabric called 'tulle' that would work as well. ( which is also nylon as well)
What ever is used has to have an opening the egg shaft will fit into comfortably for them.