How to raise 80 babies individually…

[Kaizen]

I know I’m a ghost lately, so my apologies. Just thought I’d share some pics of the new neonate set up. We can now individually raise up to 80 babies!!!

 

[Ruthless]

Do you have a drainage system? What are they built out of?

 

[Kaizen]

Do you have a drainage system? What are they built out of?

They are all designed with a floor that slopes to the rear, where all water from all 80 cages can be captured with a single length of 4” eaves trough. Mine just drain to the greenhouse floor, but the system can easily be set up in a house.

They are built out of coroplast, with 1/8” hardware cloth screening on the tops and doors. Each enclosure is ~ 1x1x6” wide. The enclosures come in banks of 5. Each has a dedicated misting nozzle, soil substrate and a live plant—either hibiscus, scheflerra, ficus, night jasmine or mandevilla.

 

[Kaizen]

I should note that this idea was inspired by Dragon Strand’s nursery line, and owes a lot to Bill and his tireless trudge towards top husbandry practices! That being said, please also note my alliteration!

 

[GeckoGal]

Wry nice! Tutorial? I have such a hard time working with coroplast.

 

[Kaizen]

Wry nice! Tutorial? I have such a hard time working with coroplast.

I’ll try to post some instructions this weekend.

 

[Snuits]

Holy crap. This is so cool.

 

[MissSkittles]

Holy crap. This is so cool.

Kaizen is a cool Canuck.

 

[Kaizen]

Kaizen is a cool Canuck.

At least someone thinks so!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

What species are you raising?

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[Fchamel]

Wow! Awesome!

 

[Kaizen]

What species are you raising?

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

Mostly just xanths at the moment.

 

[Thatcher]

 

[JacksJill]

I'm going to need specs.

 

[Beman]

I am just shocked with the 80 baby enclosures lol. I mean food cost alone for that many

 

[Kaizen]

I'm going to need specs.

So, I bought 15 4x8 sheets of coroplast. Sections measuring 12” x 88” were cut, folded and glued to form a rectangle measuring 12” high x 12” front to back, by 32” long. Next, the floor is glued into place, sloping to the rear, and leaving a small gap at the back for drainage. Then inserts cut at 12” x 12” (minus the angle of the floor) are glued into place to divide the rectangle into 5 enclosures—each just under 6” wide. You end up with a bank of 5 individual cages, measuring 12”x12”x6.5”. Next doors are cut into the front, leaving one side merely scored rather than cut through—this acts like the hinge. Next, attach 1/8” hardware cloth to the doors, and you have a screened door. Before adding the screen roof, I highly recommend the integral feed cups. These allow you to quickly feed bugs without having to open the enclosure (pics to follow). Once the feed cups are in place, add substrate and your live plant, then screen the top. If you use a fluffy potting mix, the entire enclosure weighs only 10 pounds, even when the soil is wet. I added a dedicate mist nozzle to each, but that’s because I’m not interested in hand misting 80 enclosures.

 

[Kaizen]

I am just shocked with the 80 baby enclosures lol. I mean food cost alone for that many

So we planned ahead, and have 30 ff, and 50 bean beetle cultures going. And once they hit the 6 week mark, they’re ready for new born roaches.

 

[Lindasjackson]

So awesome! Great job!

 

[jamest0o0]

Kaizen, you're one of those self deprecating geniuses lol (meant as a compliment... you're wayyy smarter than most people). Your efficiency and precision while following through with projects is an inspiration.

 

[Kaizen]

Kaizen, you're one of those self deprecating geniuses lol (meant as a compliment... you're wayyy smarter than most people). Your efficiency and precision while following through with projects is an inspiration.

Don’t mistake smarts for narcissism . Thanks for compliment, Mr. Bond! You’re a star in my books.