drcrossfire
Avid Member
I've seen oak and poplar? Does is matter which type I use for the baby bins?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Dowel rods-- what type are ok for breeding bins?
- Thread starter drcrossfire
- Start date
reptoman
Avid Member
Dont buy dowel rods. Too expensive. Get a pack of barbecue scewers for like $3 for 100 from the grocery store. You can cut them to size with pruners. I tie them together with small zipties since I dont really care for the hotglue. The glue creates thread like strings that you cant see until the baby runs across it and gets it in his eyes. Better yet, bake some crape myrtle branches and tie those together. More natural looking and creates different diameter climbing branches
Dean Pulcini
Avid Member
What about cheap tree branches?
reptoman
Avid Member
I agree that branches are the better choice. Free and better for climbing. Just make sure you dont give them room to reach the rim or they will be gone. Do not hang a temp probe over the side of the bin to check the temp either(lesson learned)
anything within reach is a way out and they are clever
anything within reach is a way out and they are clever
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drcrossfire
Avid Member
I agree that branches are the better choice. Free and better for climbing. Just make sure you dont give them room to reach the rim or they will be gone. Do not hang a temp probe over the side of the bin to check the temp either(lesson learned)
Omg-- awesome photos! Thats a ton of babies!
So I notice you don't use a heat source or tops. Room temp is ok, right? And how do you keep the bugs inside the container?
reptoman
Avid Member
The fruit flies will climb the side eventually but you get the hang of putting enough in so they dont get everywhere after a while. The babies will usualy pick them off pretty quickly. I feed 1/8" crickets after the first week and they cant climb the sides so open top is the way to go. The 2 bulb flourescent above the cages is enough to keep the top of the bins in the 80 to 82F range so I never use an additional basking spot. Those lights are on the same timer as all the adult cages and it works out great.
One tip, make your network of branches and plastic plants into a single unit so you can take them out all at once. I can clean all 6 of those bins each morning in about 30 minutes, wiping eachone down with a clorox wipe and rinsing thoroughly in the bathtub. They poop a lot so this is necessary at least once a day. The babies stay on the branches as I lift the whole assembly out for cleaning. I spot clean the branches knocking poop off onto the floor before rinsing the empty bin out. Once a week, I remove the babies and blast the whole branch/plant assembly off really well and put everyone back in.
drcrossfire
Avid Member
Thanks so much for reptile breeding 101. My first clutch is due to hatch in the next month, soo... getting everything ready now!~! any more pointers appreciated!
reptoman
Avid Member
Forgot to mention I use an older Reptisun 5.0 bulb (6 months or so) for the baby bins along with a 6500K bulb in the 2 bulb flourescent. Its always good to get them some sun time as much as possible but I have heard that a new 5.0 UVB might be too much for them as neonates. This method has worked very well for me the last few years and I have never lost a baby except one that ate a water crystal. Thats another pointer when breeding your own crickets. Be very careful that you dont accidentally put a dried up water crystal in with their food. I now only use fresh veggies as my water source for pinheads or larger crickets.
Seeco
Avid Member
I don't use branches at all anymore. Hazards are ingestion and impaction, bacteria, and mites. Just use tons of this mesh. Or yeah if you are gonna use wood just use real tree branches like Pulcini said. Just cram a ton in there and good luck getting the babies out when it is time to clean.
See my blog for instructions.
See my blog for instructions.
drcrossfire
Avid Member
Anyone else have a different method we should be aware of? These are great so far
