Happy Birthday to my 1st litter of baby dubia!!

[yoshimi]

It finally happened. Had this colony of 35 (25 females, 10 males) as large nymphs since late Dec. One girl died in the beginning, and we mourned, but I watched them grow and molt, fall in love, and finally finally finally, give birth. Figures, it happens the day after I purchase some. Eh, gives them some time to grow and darken. They're still mostly under mama. Such "sweet" little darlings.
family photo?

[kueluck]

Are these pets or for food??

[yoshimi]

Are these pets or for food??

Hah, pets til they're food. The adults will probably never be eaten. They're there to make dinner babies.

[Heatheranne]

Yay! Congrats!

[demon amphibians]

congrats the wait finally paid off. these guys can be slow moving but when they take off it is worth it. All my breeders are my very loved pets as well and i treat them good. ha ha

[yoshimi]

Thanks. When is the right time to remove them from the breeder bin?

[yoshimi]

I asked cuz I'd already moved them and felt like a total a-hole. They'd darkened and I was thinking about how I was going to get the little ones out so thought maybe I should try when they're all still mostly together. Mama wasn't sitting on them, but 4 females were under eggcrate the babies were on, and they did NOT want to let go. The way they went to protect the little ones, it was a bit of a surprise and upsetting for everyone. I'm never moving them so quickly again. That was just cruel. I got all but maybe 3, and in their new bin I count approx 30. Gave them carrot chips, oats, an orange cricket cube, and bits of egg crate plus paper towel tube. Came home from work and they appear to be eating and doing fine. Cleaned some of the **** out of corners of breeding bin but left the remaining little ones to be mothered. It's the mama roach I felt bad for, btw. The little ones weren't on the menu tonight, it was earth worms instead. I know I should set aside more for future breeding but I'm not sure how long I want to keep this going. Depends on how things go from here. I think I'd be better off purchasing large nymphs to keep it going. I know they're just bugs, but the idea of direct interbreeding through generations of the same adults I have now just doesn't sit right with me.

[Heatheranne]

They will be fine. You can move them right away. Once they start breeding fast you won't feel as bad about moving them.

[yoshimi]

It was funny cuz the very next day, I'm checking on them and the adults went running leaving the 3 little ones that I hadn't gotten to fend for themselves. No one's winning parent of the year.

[Heatheranne]

Lol!!!! I guess bugs will be bugs.

[yoshimi]

Two more litters today. Thought it was three at 1st but one lady they were hiding under was still fat and walked away. I suppose they're going to start birthing fast and furious now.