Need Help with Dubia Roaches

[mbarn11]

Ive had my roaches for about three weeks. I didn't start off with many, only 85( 5 adult pairs, 25 1/2, 25 3/4, 25 1/4).
3 of my male roaches have died, leaving 2, and there seems to be no reproduction. I feed them fresh fruit (sometimes with dog food) and water them with wet paper towels. There is also a heat pad at the bottom of their bin.
I don't really know what's going on and how to fix it.
Do I need to order more and start off with a larger colony???

 

[etclement]

Ive had my roaches for about three weeks. I didn't start off with many, only 85( 5 adult pairs, 25 1/2, 25 3/4, 25 1/4).
3 of my male roaches have died, leaving 2, and there seems to be no reproduction. I feed them fresh fruit (sometimes with dog food) and water them with wet paper towels. There is also a heat pad at the bottom of their bin.
I don't really know what's going on and how to fix it.
Do I need to order more and start off with a larger colony???

I wouldn't feed dog food, especially if you plan on feeding any of them or their young offspring. I usually feed butternut squash (+ other things) and it keeps them very hydrated and breeding well. It takes a bit for the colony to kick off. In my first month of keeping dubia, they didn't seem to have any babies, but now that I have kept them for longer, the colony constantly has babies in it. I started with 12 f 4 m and 25 3/4s. Make sure temps are right for breeding and let them feel safe (hiding places etc). I have had zero adults and only one larger nymph die like this over the two/three months I've had the colony. You could try ordering from a different retailer, your care doesn't really seem (to me) to have any flaws besides the dog food. Maybe you just got unlucky!

 

[jamest0o0]

Give them time, what are your temps? Also citrus fruit like oranges apparently help reproduction. Do they have space? Egg flats? Roaches populate based off of what resources are available to them. If you're going light on the food they'll be less likely to breed fast.

Also, NO dog or cat food, this is no bueno for the roaches or your chameleon and can cause gout. Feed nuts and seeds for dry protein. I like bug buffet, but you can make your own. That paired with mostly veggies, and some citrus fruits. I'd be very surprised if you had no luck

 

[mbarn11]

Give them time, what are your temps? Also citrus fruit like oranges apparently help reproduction. Do they have space? Egg flats? Roaches populate based off of what resources are available to them. If you're going light on the food they'll be less likely to breed fast.

Also, NO dog or cat food, this is no bueno for the roaches or your chameleon and can cause gout. Feed nuts and seeds for dry protein. I like bug buffet, but you can make your own. That paired with mostly veggies, and some citrus fruits. I'd be very surprised if you had no luck

It's about 92 degrees and they are in large box with many egg flats. I do feed a lot of oranges and grapefruits. Maybe the dog food is causing some problems. I glad I know now!!

 

[xrowdac]

how many in this colony?

 

[mbarn11]

how many in this colony?

Around 50

 

[jamest0o0]

Also the ratio of males to females can mess things up. If you have too many males they bully everyone basically. Only a few males are necessary.

Good luck be patient