 After
buying new feeder crickets from a pet shop or breeder, the first thing
is to move them to a larger container. Feeder crickets can usually
only can be kept
for a few days (less than a week) in the container or tub
they were bought in before the container becomes too damp and
unwanted mould starts to
grow. Too damp and moldy environments cause high morbidity
and mortality (death) amongst all sizes of crickets. The housing container should be
high enough to prevent escapes (remember crickets can jump
quite high) and the container sides should be smooth to prevent escapes.
A raised 5ℓ / 1.3 gal (US) ice cream container with small holes
in the lid is adequate for housing one or two small tubs of
crickets. 80 ℓ / 20 gal
(US) containers, such as the ADDIS™
"Store It" or the "SA Leisure" rollerbox containers (55 x 42 x
32 cm / 22 x 16.5 x 13 ") should be more than enough for at
least 500 adult feeder crickets (about 4 x 250 tubs). Crickets are
territorial and need to be supplied with adequate hiding. Egg crates stacked on top
of each other, with or without a sheath of newspaper in-between
will be more than enough. Newspaper crumpled into balls can also be used. The cartons and the newspaper will
also be consumed over
time as a source of fiber and must be replaced at least
every fortnight. Food & Water
Water must be supplied ad lib. Shallow containers stuffed
with cotton or sponge (Fig. 2) should be used to prevent drowning of
smaller crickets. Crickets are omnivorous (eat both plants
& animal matter). Dry food include chicken starter or growing
mash, but some people also feed koi pellets or dry fish flakes
as maintenance diet. Greens and vegetables such as carrots, carrot greens, half cut
apples and oranges should also be supplied for moisture and
extra vitamins and minerals. Spoiled pieces must be removed
daily, especially apple which tend
to soften and molt fast. Food can be dispersed
on the floor of the container or given in additional shallow containers.
The cricket keeping container should be kept at room temperature (24 ºC / 75 ºF).
Higher temperatures are not necessary for keeping feeder
crickets, but
is obviously better. Temperatures below 24 ºC will cause
morbidity, cannibalism and mortality. The keeping container
should be cleaned regularly, or at least before a new batch of
feeder crickets is added. Egg crates must be cleaned or replaced when they become clogged with faeces. |
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