Grasshopper Piggies

[ChamelaChameleon]

I’ve put the oranges in my enclosures before and they didn’t seem to touch them so I’m guessing Andrew is right, maybe it had too much sugar?

I fed apples with a good response. I didnt note any adverse reactions.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

Adults benefit from high carb foods. While nymphs benefit from high protein foods. I fed the apple for hydration. I tried cucumbers but the hoppers did not even try a bite. The Dubia left no cucumber unturned.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

With all of this grasshopper stuff we better get babies!

 

[elizaann2]

I'm slow to the party but I finally put a UVB hood on my hoppers. Hoping to see some breeding soon!

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

I'm slow to the party but I finally put a UVB hood on my hoppers. Hoping to see some breeding soon!

What species do you have?

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

@Andrew1283 can you share your wheat grass experience. I fed wheat grass with a great response. I drained the water and placed it in the feeding area. The hoppers love the wheat grass but, for me, the cost out weighed the benefit.

 

[elizaann2]

What species do you have?

I can’t remember i ordered some from Dean and didn’t feed them all off so they would grow and breed.

 

[Andrew1283]

They are grey birds

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

I can’t remember i ordered some from Dean and didn’t feed them all off so they would grow and breed.

Yes, Gray Bird. The larger ones are female. I like your set up.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

My Gray's just completed a 5 minute mating session. Odd! I've seen spotted birds mate for hours and hours!

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

Initially, I thought the up turned tail meant, I'm ready to mate. After a few days of observation, the males completely ignored her up turned tail. Maybe the up turned tail means leave me alone, I've got eggs. Time to tap in our resident experts.
@SauceGandhi @Motherlode Chameleon what could this behavior indicate?

 

[elizaann2]

Yes, Gray Bird. The larger ones are female. I like your set up.

Thank you! This is a full pic of what I have going on here for my hoppers.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

Thank you! This is a full pic of what I have going on here for my hoppers.

Looks good!

 

[elizaann2]

Looks good!

Thank you!!

 

[Andrew1283]

That’s beautiful Elizanne! Def try to elevate their food off the floor because their poop will just rain down on it and make it nasty. And no food in the lay bin too.

 

[Andrew1283]

I tried to mimic what Dean does, since he’s clearly having success with his setups. Also got some ideas from a Zoo’s post that breeds their own locusts. The chicken wire towers are super easy and cheap to make and get them closer to basking, while raising up their food.

 

[Andrew1283]

Oh and last thing, even though I’m buying all, “organic” greens from Whole Foods and washing them, I’ve noticed several adult males drop to the ground seemingly suffering from neurological issues. And for that reason I switched to only aeroponically grown micro greens so I’m absolutely sure there’s no pesticides. “Organic” doesn’t mean pesticide free it just means only substances from The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances can be used for anything labeled “organic”. And of course because it’s federally controlled and the agriculture lobby wants to cash in on the “organic” label’s up charge, the list is confusing as all hell with plenty of synthetic exceptions. The term “organic” is essentially trash.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-...5/subpart-G/subject-group-ECFR0ebc5d139b750cd


They all work the same though, by targeting bugs neurological systems or reproductive cycles.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

This is my set up. My goal was to get the food off the floor. I use paper towel or parchment paper to make poop clean up easy. When I have time, I'll move the baffle up top for ease of access, to replace food source. I feed well washed romaine lettuce, shredded squash and carrots. Keeping the food high is priority for me. I use plastic honeycomb sheets to hold the food and offer basking.
I covered the sides with corrogated plastic to keep constant heat (85 degrees).

 

[Andrew1283]

This is my set up. My goal was to get the food off the floor. I use paper towel or parchment paper to make poop clean up easy. When I have time, I'll move the baffle up top for ease of access, to replace food source. I feed well washed romaine lettuce, shredded squash and carrots. Keeping the food high is priority for me. I use plastic honeycomb sheets to hold the food and offer basking.
I covered the sides with corrogated plastic to keep constant heat (85 degrees).View attachment 351749

When the babies start hatching, do you move that whole lay bin into the hatchery bin up top?

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

When the babies start hatching, do you move that whole lay bin into the hatchery bin up top?

I have moved the lay bins to a Styrofoam cooler with holes. This helps maintain humidity and 85 degree temps. Close to hatch time I'll move the lay bin to a reptibreeze with corrogated plastic sides.