So about a couple Months ago i started my Dubia Colony Cause I got a baby beardie on around November i started off with 3 female and 1 male and 270 babies hoping they would grow to adult. Seeing how slow they grew I bought about 100female and 35males after 3months they started blooming with so much babies i separateed all the adults together so they wont have sheds babies everywhere. Still planning to wait a bit more so i can get about 400 babies before i feed them off cause my 2 baby beardie eats about 20 a day of pinky size dubia
Sounds like you have a plan. However I would leave the babies in with the adults as they eat the poo and the colony thrives better. Just remove what you need to feed off for a week or more, only bothering the colony when you have to( food, water, ect..).
I separated the adult as in i bought in mix so i threw in all the adults together in a bin whatever they have been producing in the month i have left in there. So theres the adults and super tiny ones no medium other sizes is what i meant hahaha
I think its a bit expensive to also keep the dubias cause they do eat alot but since my sister is in school i am able to get fresh carrots every day to week but when summer comes i needa find a new food source also cereal and dog food for dry cost a bit 20 bucks ish
Hello and congrats on the little buggies! I have had my colony for over a year and I still get that excited butterflies in my stomach feeling when I open the bin and see all the new babies.
I just wanted to pop in and give you a few tips for saving money on feeding the lil critters. A lot of kindhearted people donate food to the humane society and other rescue organizations without realizing the food cannot be used if it is open. Try stopping by a shelter and asking. They usually have TONS lying around that they cannot use for one reason or another. Trust me, your roaches won't mind if it is stale or from an open pack. Just toss it in the freezer for a few days to make sure there aren't any unwelcome guests in there.
Another option is Craigslist or some other classifieds section. Tell them what you will be using it for so they don't feel bad giving you old food.
The roaches are not picky, either. I have made roach chow out of everything from cat food to salmon food(yes there is such a thing!). My recipe is pretty standard; 1c grains(oatmeal, stale cereal, flour even works in a pinch), 1c protein(dog food, cat food, fish food, whatever I have on hand), 1/4c sugar(the buggies LOVE their chow a bit on the sweet side). After I blend to a fine powder, I sprinkle in some multivitamin powder for good measure.
I also feed oranges, carrots, greens, whatever I have in my fridge that is starting to wilt or I just want to get rid of.
Hey thanks thats a help but im not sure where to really find a place im in California orange County 92843. Currently I have fresh baby carrots from school that my sister gets me i think imma try to stock up and see if they can last a couple months for summer before school starts so i can get more for dry food i use cereal and dog food grinded up but my dad gets mad at me sometime for using his dog food so imma see what i can do to find whole grain cereal i throw in apples and potatoe sometimes when i have time.
Can you buy chow online? I know Lance (twobeardieguy) sells them. I have a small colony that loves his chow. you know I wonder if Dubia will go for grind up beans as a source of protein. I may just look into that. :study: :study:
Well as you see im starting the dubia to start saving money so i wouldnt try to buy something for them yes they may be a bit more protien for the dubia and my beardie but hey cost more then what i feed them so yea.