husbandry for large quantities of sligs

[bwhatch2]

about 7 months ago I decided to start buying some slings in bulk, grow them up, then try to sell them. I don't really plan on making any money with it, I just love feeding the little babies so thought I would give this a try.
I started taking some shortcuts with my husbandry, doing some things that I have seen many posts, care sheets,, videos, etc... recommend against. I have great luck with it, not a single death in 6 months and am keeping about 150 slings.
here's what im doing that is generally considered a bad idea.

except for my Avics, I am:

• using enclosures that are much bigger than normal. itty bitty teeny tiny slings go into a 6 oz deli cup. I have heard it said that doing this there would be an issue with them finding prey. personally I haven't seen it. the prey moves around, the t moves around, they find each other.
• using very limited ventilation. about 10 thumb tac holes per container. the oversized enclosure holds more substrate and with the limited ventilation and the sub stays moist much longer.
• I don't pre kill prey. I use spring tails, fruit flies, red goblins, and red runners. when I feed I put 3 or so prey items in each container, roughly enough food for 1-2 weeks. I don't take out what they don't eat. this way the prey doesn't start to mold after a couple days like killed would
• I do all this so I only have to check in/feed/add water every 7-14 days.

don't really have a question just wondering if anybody else here has lots of slings and takes similar short cuts (for lack of a better word) in their husbandry

 

[Le_kelscifer]

While I don't keep that many slings. I don't see an issue with what you're saying. However, I don't go over 1 or 2 oz with them. Easier to keep track. I don't offer pre killed either and only push about the same amount of holes in the top. My slings do great with it.

 

[bwhatch2]

I used to use 1 or 2 oz cups for them to but found the substrate dried on so quickly if I missed a feeding/watering I would have dead slings, I dont have that problem with the 5 oz cups

 

[Le_kelscifer]

I used to use 1 or 2 oz cups for them to but found the substrate dried on so quickly if I missed a feeding/watering I would have dead slings, I dont have that problem with the 5 oz cups

Right on. That makes sense. Especially with the quantity

 

[Tarántulabro1]

about 7 months ago I decided to start buying some slings in bulk, grow them up, then try to sell them. I don't really plan on making any money with it, I just love feeding the little babies so thought I would give this a try.
I started taking some shortcuts with my husbandry, doing some things that I have seen many posts, care sheets,, videos, etc... recommend against. I have great luck with it, not a single death in 6 months and am keeping about 150 slings.
here's what im doing that is generally considered a bad idea.

except for my Avics, I am:

• using enclosures that are much bigger than normal. itty bitty teeny tiny slings go into a 6 oz deli cup. I have heard it said that doing this there would be an issue with them finding prey. personally I haven't seen it. the prey moves around, the t moves around, they find each other.
• using very limited ventilation. about 10 thumb tac holes per container. the oversized enclosure holds more substrate and with the limited ventilation and the sub stays moist much longer.
• I don't pre kill prey. I use spring tails, fruit flies, red goblins, and red runners. when I feed I put 3 or so prey items in each container, roughly enough food for 1-2 weeks. I don't take out what they don't eat. this way the prey doesn't start to mold after a couple days like killed would
• I do all this so I only have to check in/feed/add water every 7-14 days.

don't really have a question just wondering if anybody else here has lots of slings and takes similar short cuts (for lack of a better word) in their husbandry

I have about 30 slings, 26 in vials.
Should I rehouse them into 4 to 6 or deli cups with limited substrate so they'll find the food ?
I use smashed crickets and red runners.

 

[bwhatch2]

I have about 30 slings, 26 in vials.
Should I rehouse them into 4 to 6 or deli cups with limited substrate so they'll find the food ?
I use smashed crickets and red runners.

I would say probably, no. if what you are doing is working for you then stay with it. if your having issues give me/us some more info and we could help you fix it. if the main reason you are thinking of changing the way you care for your slings is because you read my post then id stay don't change a thing.

 

[m0lsx]

Here's what im doing that is generally considered a bad idea.

Personally, we keep ours by what are considered to be good ideas & we lost 3 slings a couple of weeks ago. If what you are doing, is working for you & if it's keeping your slings happy & healthy. Then keep on doing it.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Sounds like you're doing good with em'.

 

[bwhatch2]

Personally, we keep ours by what are considered to be good ideas & we lost 3 slings a couple of weeks ago. If what you are doing, is working for you & if it's keeping your slings happy & healthy. Then keep on doing it.

while this is the first time I have tried to keep large numbers of slings , I have always had 10-15 at a time since I reentered the hobby 4 yrs ago. back then I had almost a 20% fatality rate and was doing everything "by the book" when I started to experiment with less time consuming methods including several things that are generally considered to be "bad husbandry", I haven't lost a single sling in 6 months. not even sure where I am going with that statement except that I am kind of thinking to myself wtf, how did some of these become widely accepted as things not to do. I was always a little suspect of them not being able to find their prey if in to big of an enclosure . im sure a sling in a 50 gallon tank might have an issue finding a spring tail, but even then I dont know it might not have a problem with it. I know they don't live in 2oz deli cups in the wild...........