trying my hand at keeping crickets

[burnedrose]

So, I've decided to try my hand at keeping crickets. I got a nice large tub, some h20 in a small shallow jar, my gutload and the cricket food all on the bottom. Bought 5 dozen assorted crickets today and have them roving around the egg cartons. Am I forgetting anything?

 

[camimom]

So, I've decided to try my hand at keeping crickets. I got a nice large tub, some h20 in a small shallow jar, my gutload and the cricket food all on the bottom. Bought 5 dozen assorted crickets today and have them roving around the egg cartons. Am I forgetting anything?

Do you have ventilation in that tub?

 

[bmacd93]

Personally i use the Calcium Gel :] Reduces the risk of drowning tremendously. Just remember, to keep the temperature above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and for baby crickets, get the heat up to 80 - 85 degree Fahrenheit for development.

I keep my tub in the closet, covered too. So, make sure there are plenty of holes for them to breathe as well.

You can put clear tape on the inner side of the tub, to make sure they dont climb up. :]

 

[sdheli420]

heres my set up..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UOMX_jnKnU

 

[Eltortu]

So, I've decided to try my hand at keeping crickets. I got a nice large tub, some h20 in a small shallow jar, my gutload and the cricket food all on the bottom. Bought 5 dozen assorted crickets today and have them roving around the egg cartons. Am I forgetting anything?

Try some fruits and vegetables as gutload too. Were you buying few crickets at a time before this new set up?

 

[burnedrose]

I have plenty of ventilation - I grabbed one of my old cat litter containers - ya know those big plastic tubs? I drilled about a dozen holes in the side and top and put a strip of tape underneath the lowest holes, so they can't escape.

The gutload, right now, is a rather stinky concoction of broccoli, romaine lettuce, spinach and squash. It is, by far, the smelliest gutload I have ever made in my life (and for some reason, this is a source of pride for me...). I also have some of the regular cricket food chilling in a small container.

I used the lid of a plastic container as a water dish, and put just enough water in it so they won't drown. And yes, I was buying a few crickets at a time. It got to the point where I was getting fed up with not knowing if the crickets were gunna live from the car ride to and from the pet store, so I figured I'd go out, buy 5 dozen, cross my fingers and wish for the best.

SDheli - i really like your set up. I may copy that, as I have some spare drawers like that sitting around. What did you do for ventilation? Also, the sprig of rosemary is a fabulous idea!!! I wonder..do you think basil is suitable for a gutloading herb? I grow so much basil and it would really cut down on the stink.

 

[suzi]

I found that large hole cut out with aluminum screen works best for ventilation than drilled holes. I used to have drilled holes and switched to screen and it is much better ( no smell ) and less mess

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Here are my suggestions for keeping crickets! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/511-keeping-crickets.html

 

[roxychic3253]

Here are my suggestions for keeping crickets! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/511-keeping-crickets.html

Very helpful information! I just got my cham a week ago and bought 500 crix from a reptile show because they were very cheap. I have also been told to keep foods in a dish to keep down the mess

 

[Elizadolots]

Very helpful information! I just got my cham a week ago and bought 500 crix from a reptile show because they were very cheap. I have also been told to keep foods in a dish to keep down the mess

Watch the height of the dish if you are buying small crickets. I just put the food on the floor for the first few weeks or they don't seem to eat and grow.