considering buying crickets in bulk, BUT I have questions!

[KatiLemons]

So I have realized that buying in bulk might be the way to go with crickets! My question though is how long they will survive if I only have 2 chams? I mean it seems like the crickets I use from Petsmart die off pretty quick. They don't really have that long of a life span! I use a great gutloader and I use oranges for hydration, not to mention the oranges are changed EVERYDAY! Who sells the best (healthiest) and good priced bulk crickets? I would also LOVE to see some homemade cricket bins if anyone has pictures too!
Thanx

 

[camimom]

I buy 1000 crickets from mulberryfarms.com
They show up, and I can keep them alive for weeks. I bought some about 3 weeks ago, give or take, and they are all still alive (minus the ones that became food).
I paid 20ish for the crickets, 20ish for the shipping.
i keep my crickets in a ten gallon fish tank. Screen lid, lots of egg cartons to sit on.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Crickets have a life span of around 7 weeks. Once the adult females lay their eggs, they are pretty much done. You should'nt have any crickets dying if sub-adult sized, although I'm seeing signs of the cricket plague resurfacing. So size and age of crickets will give you a rough outline for your needs. I like to buy medium sized crickets, because they will last you weeks, to a month. ( I don't seem to have any crickets die of old age around my house) Size and age of your chameleons will be another factor when buying. Timberline seems to be a big supplier in the mid-west. Maybe some other keepers in your area will tell you their cricket sources.

 

[suzi]

Agreed, buy in bulk. Keep them well ventilated, hydrated and well fed. Don't overcrowd and they will last awhile. You can buy in two different sizes also so the smaller ones are growing while you feed off the larger

 

[sdheli420]

Agreed, buy in bulk. Keep them well ventilated, hydrated and well fed. Don't overcrowd and they will last awhile. You can buy in two different sizes also so the smaller ones are growing while you feed off the larger

same info here..(but i breed mine, however) as long as they dont get too hot, have ventilation, space, pleny of eggcrates, fresh salad mix\veggies (i do a mix of greens, spring mix, carrots, potato, kale, and a few other goodies) , water (in the form of a shallow dish with folded and soaked papertowels works well for me) and of course your dry gutload..ive yet to have any die in the cricket bin..as they get bigger, i only feed off the largest most mature ones (and save the fatty females for my breeding).. good luck

 

[camimom]

same info here..(but i breed mine, however) as long as they dont get too hot, have ventilation, space, pleny of eggcrates, fresh salad mix\veggies (i do a mix of greens, spring mix, carrots, potato, kale, and a few other goodies) , water (in the form of a shallow dish with folded and soaked papertowels works well for me) and of course your dry gutload..ive yet to have any die in the cricket bin..as they get bigger, i only feed off the largest most mature ones (and save the fatty females for my breeding).. good luck

How do you tell the males form the females?

 

[KatiLemons]

same info here..(but i breed mine, however) as long as they dont get too hot, have ventilation, space, pleny of eggcrates, fresh salad mix\veggies (i do a mix of greens, spring mix, carrots, potato, kale, and a few other goodies) , water (in the form of a shallow dish with folded and soaked papertowels works well for me) and of course your dry gutload..ive yet to have any die in the cricket bin..as they get bigger, i only feed off the largest most mature ones (and save the fatty females for my breeding).. good luck

I have heard that Kale is bad to feed to crickets cause it defeats the purpose of Calcium supplementing?

 

[camimom]

I have heard that Kale is bad to feed to crickets cause it defeats the purpose of Calcium supplementing?

If sdheli420 Says its ok. its ok! lol

 

[jdog1027]

The one on the left is a female- they have the long stem protruding from the abdomen, the ovipositor.

 

[camimom]

The one on the left is a female- they have the long stem protruding from the abdomen, the ovipositor.

Ah ha. thank you! I can breed them now! muwaahah, this will be bad. I had about 40 crickets get loose in the condo. However, my puppy is having a blast hunting them down and 'playing' with them!

 

[sdheli420]

yes kale can be bad, just like drinking too much water..everything in moderation..just add a lil bit..not have a salad of just kale..but its mixed in with the greens..

you can over supplement with anything really, just take it easy on the greens mix..i use a spring mix, that works well mainly for hydraition..

as for male or female crickets..heres a vid..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEH2S8nSBI

damn took you tube like 5 mins to upload this time what the hell..its usually fast..

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I have heard that Kale is bad to feed to crickets cause it defeats the purpose of Calcium supplementing?

Kale is high in oxalates, which bind calcium before it can be absorbed into he bloodstream. So regardless of how much calcium is in the diet, if there are oxalates to bind it up then it won't go to your cham. But you would have to use lots of kale for that effect to be a major concern, or in addition to other things with high oxalates. In moderation kale is fine. It should be alternated with other greens and in addition to other good sources of calcium.

It's also high in goitrogens, which suppress thyroid function and available iodine. Everything in moderation.

 

[sdheli420]

Kale is high in oxalates, which bind calcium before it can be absorbed into he bloodstream. So regardless of how much calcium is in the diet, if there are oxalates to bind it up then it won't go to your cham. But you would have to use lots of kale for that effect to be a major concern, or in addition to other things with high oxalates. In moderation kale is fine. It should be alternated with other greens and in addition to other good sources of calcium.

It's also high in goitrogens, which suppress thyroid function and available iodine. Everything in moderation.

basically..just dont over do it..a glass of wine is ok..its when your downing bottles that your liver will start to complain..LOL