Cricket Question

[Laceface]

I'm getting a tiny KK and a dozen crickets, as well as those "water pillows" to attempt to see if I can keep them for feeding for a month. I have just the one tarantula, and shes on the smaller side still. What do you advise feeding them to keep them going? Do you see any pproblems with the plan, and, how many would you advise per week for feeding? This would work out to three a week, but of course, im sure there will be days that she doesn't want all three. I figure get mostly bigger ones, and a few smaller big ones, use up the larger crix first, let the smaller grow a bit.

Mainly though, what is good food for the crickets to keep them top notch for the T, and how many would you advise a week for feeding? (dont want to under/over w that watching the abdomen shows under feeding)

 

[Mina]

It is cheaper and cleaner to not use the water pillows. Either use water crystals or simply wet some cotton balls, then when they get dirty throw them out and replace them. Check them every day make sure they have moisture and remove any dead ones. You can feed them almost anything. Fruits, veggies, oatmeal, cereal, anything healthy. Just put them somewhere at night where the chiping won't drive you crazy.
As far as feeding your T goes, how big is it and what kind is it? Different slings eat different amounts. An inch pokie will eat more than an inch B. smithi.

 

[Lilija]

I buy 1000 crickets a month, and keep them in a tank, to feed all my critters, they do last almost a month, when you get them 1/2" or less. A cricket only really lives about a month, anyway. I would get a few more, if you're set on the 3 a week plan, just in case some die off.

I use storebought cricket food, and the gel-water, so they don't drown. I supplement it, over the month, with veggie peelings, and handfuls of stale cereal.

Crickets like dark places, so give them an empty toilet paper tube to chill in, and make sure they have enough room in the KK that each one has a little bit of a place to stand and walk around, or else they'll eat each other, and you should be fine. I've been keeping crickets this way for years.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

How small is "the smaller side," and what species? A general rule is that, if the cricket is still 1/3-1/2 the size of the T or bigger, just one a week. If the T is pushing 2.5-3" or bigger, two crickets a week. You only need to feed more than that if you've got a REALLY big T.

If you have a fast-growing species, you *can* feed them an extra cricket or so, and they'll put it away, but it's not necessary to keep them from starving or anything. Species with a hyperactive metabolism, like L. parahybana, will *always* act like they're starving and just eat everything that moves if you let them. They don't understand that they'll continue to get regular meals in the future, and don't need to eat everything in sight *now* in case there's no food later.

Also, when it comes to crickets, I've been told that you should include lots of things like pieces of egg crate or other cardboard, and change it frequently. Crickets are FILTHY animals and will literally pollute themselves to death if there's not something to absorb the filth and give them more breathing room.

 

[Lilija]

Also, when it comes to crickets, I've been told that you should include lots of things like pieces of egg crate or other cardboard, and change it frequently. Crickets are FILTHY animals and will literally pollute themselves to death if there's not something to absorb the filth and give them more breathing room.

Ugh, yes, absolutely. I forgot about that part. I've heard of some people keeping them on a bed of oatmeal or buckwheat, having no problem with stink...I've not tried that, but I keep a ton of that cardboard egg crate in with mine. Barring that, crickets STINK, so be prepared. Also, lots of people throw in half a potato, for food and water...in my experience, that makes them stink more.

 

[Laceface]

Shes a little G. rosea, not sure how big she is, but over 2 inches, perhaps nearing 3(EDITtried measuring, holding it above her, and yeah, not quite three). Ive only had her a week (and a day ) and tryin to make long plan terms for the food end of things. 2 a week would then leave me with some extras just incase then, and perhaps the extra cricket now and then?

The ones I had the first week basically just lived in a sandwhich bag with a slice of apple, they seemed content, but I want a better system, lol.

So, the KK, with water gel/cotton ball with water, some cereal and a bit of veggie, lots of hiding places..and they should be set? I figure as often as possible ill clean out there tank, and full out scrubbing between batches of crickets.

This is her, to give a rough idea of size,

Don't know if it helps much, but yeah.. (I don't hold her much anymore, that was the first few days before I could change her substrate, which she hated..she voluntarily spent her time on my hands and such, as it was soggy in her tank.. she was a christmas present, and I had to get her some eco earth..now shes happy and content in her tank) (and I say she out of hopes in it being true )