Dubias and dog/cat food

[dociledragons]

So, I have been using ground up dog/cat food for a couple months now. Seem to have no trouble except, I cleaned out my tote with over 1k of roaches and saw only a few babies. babies of any size most of them were sub adults. So, I started thinking maybe the babies can't eat the ground up food. I do put fresh veg in there a couple times a week. I should mention when i was using the specific roach food from the internet I remember seeing dozens and dozens of them. but, it also may be possible the were hiding in the dropping playing dead or maybe being eaten by the adults due to overcrowding. So my Q is:

A: where they being eaten
b: hiding in the dropping (a good 5+ lbs)
c: not able to eat ground up dog/cat food

I've att. a pic to show you the quantity and size. They were in a 30gal tote. I think

Edited to correct a spelling error

 

[hartungs]

I really don't think that you have anything to worry about. Dubia do not eat their young. More than likely, they were either hiding in the fras or hanging onto adults, etc.

Do you know what your ratio of males to females is? With the amount that you have, it may be beneficial to start a seperate bin just for breeding adults. That way you can monitor your ratios and your production. It also makes it easier to just pick out feeders when you need them.

 

[Ihaggerty1313]

And they eat everything and anything. The little ones just have smaller mouth parts, but they get the job done too!

 

[sithcdw]

it is very likely that the babies are hiding in the droppings. however dubia DO eat their babies if they are not fed and watered properly. you dont have to worry about them not being able to eat the food, they can, but they will also eat the poop.
but if their isnt as many babies as youd like maybe theire simply not breeding properly. make sure your temps are about 90 degrees F and your humidity is at about 50% or more.
dubias need a high protein diet consisting of about 30% or more protein. however if you wish to breed as fast as possible they do best on a high energy, high protien diet.
my dubias get a high fat, high protein, high sugar diet. their only water source are fruits which gives them loads of natural sugars as well as moisture and nutrients.

 

[dociledragons]

thanks for all your replies. I have sense sold the extra leaving about 100 adults. 3 to 2 ratio. The dog/cat food I purchased is 21% Crude protein, 8% fat, 6% fiber. Maybe that's it. I keep the tote temp about 100 degrees.

sithcdw- I'm surprised you don't need an extra water source. You must put fruits in daily. I worry about nats so I give them a small amount a few times a week. Also, where do you get your roach food mix, if yours is 30%?

edited to add the following:
**I just checked progeckos.com site. There "pro gutload" mix. There's is Crude Protein is only 20%, Fat 5%, Fiber 14%**

I'm leaning toward over crowed. I sold at least 1k of them..