cricket lifespan?

[chickiewawa]

Hopefully this weekend I'm getting a beardie and I want to start a colony of crickets.

How fast do crickets grow from the time they are pinheads to adults? What is their lifespan? How many crickets should I use to start a breeding colony? At what age/size are crickets able to start breeding? How many times can I breed my initial set of crickets before they die or stop breeding?

I'm totally new to having a reptile and using crickets as feeders. So any input from someone with experience is most welcome.

thanks

 

[PetLover16]

I believe that they only live several weeks if that. Someone said that 25 crickets is good to start a colony. i was also thinking of breeding my own crickets.

 

[fez09]

They live about 6-7 weeks. You might want to look into Dubia instead of crickets. They are more nutritious for your beardie and easier to breed. Also, they don't make noise and don't smell nearly as bad as crickets!