Colony of Dubias

[WarsawRiddler]

I currently only have one Beardie to feed, but plan on getting more in the future once I am out of college. I have started a colony of dubias in my dorm room (oblivious to roommates) just because my permanent residence is my house in which I am unable to keep the colony due to parents and siblings freaking out. I currently have 10 females and 5 males and about 20 other mixed sizes. I will be graduating in about 4 months, how many more females should i attain to get a stable colony going so that I can feed off of it to 1 adult BD and possibly 2 more baby/young bearded dragons?

 

[Gail]

As many as you can afford. I'd say at least 100 females and 25 males.

 

[WarsawRiddler]

Alright! Thanks! Know of anywhere to buy female dubias only?

 

[LLLReptile]

Warsaw, you're unlikely to find a place that will sell only female dubias. You can try looking locally, but as females are the valuable breeders and excess males are the problem, most breeders will want to unload excess males with any females they sell.

As Gail mentioned, the best way to get a self sustaining colony is to get as many roaches as you can afford. Why not buy 100 counts of mixed sizes, which are often less expensive than adult sized roaches, and feed off excess males as they mature? You'll feed your dragon and grow your colony at the same time.

 

[midmichicer]

http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=162388

 

[MWells]

What is a good ratio of adult females to males?

 

[Cowabunga]

What is a good ratio of adult females to males?

Starting off you want a 3:1 ratio of females to males. Once your colony reaches into large numbers I recommend moving onto a 5:1 setup. Not many actually do a 10:1 setup because at that point you are putting too much value into the males. If they start dying, you're screwed.