under tank heater

[critterkeeper]

what brand is the best for a dubia colony. and was wondering what you guys use to get the best growth.

 

[Nada]

brand doesn't really matter but it helps to have a rheostat.
I keep mine in the mid 80s and feed oats,oranges, and dog-food.

 

[critterkeeper]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/dumorreg;-poultry-grower-finisher-15%-feed-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005
i have been giving them this mixed with oats and cat food. i grind it all up and mix it together. i was thinking of getting one that will stay at tta 100 and put a dimmer on it to get it to the the temp i want. what go you guys think. and if i kick up the temp will they grow faster

 

[ipreventdeath]

I just keep a smaller that normal heating pad of whatever brand they had at the shop. I only keep it on the side of my breeders tub (5gal plastic tote) with the grow out tub next to it catching some residual heat. For food they get a 50/50 mix of fish flake food (50% protein, plant and animal) and turtle pellets (50% protein, plant only) with added oranges, banana, whatever fruit I have going old in my fridge. My six week old nymphs are all starting to hit an inch long.

 

[Kurt Nelson]

Seeing as how us Canadians cannot have roaches. I've always been curious about them and have some questions. I've read they breed easy, but do they breed a lot? How long do they usually take to get from just being born to adults? I've not really found a whole lot of info on them.

 

[ipreventdeath]

Seeing as how us Canadians cannot have roaches. I've always been curious about them and have some questions. I've read they breed easy, but do they breed a lot? How long do they usually take to get from just being born to adults? I've not really found a whole lot of info on them.

They breed easily and each dubia female will pop out about 20 babies a month once the colony gets going. I have damn near two thousand currently growing out from a colony that is 4months old. I had to cut my breeders back based on my need because I was getting so many. I started out with 44 females and 11 males (1:4 ratio) and I was getting over 400 babies a month. I now have 12 females and 4 males producing around 240 per month. Still more than I need, but less to sell off. Birth to adult usually takes around 4-6months depending on food quality and heating. My six week old nymphs are around an inch long now.

 

[ipreventdeath]

You'll find a lot of info on reptile forums. Reptiles eat a lot more than Ts so these guys usually breed tons of roaches.