Roach information

[Alara]

My first question is would this be a large enough count to start a colony:

http://london.kijiji.ca/c-pets-other-pets-for-sale-Expensive-Cricket-Bill-W0QQAdIdZ106503012

My second question is does anyone know a good website for detailed information on dubia roaches?  All I'm coming up with are caresheets and sites that sell them and I want to know more especially since I'm trying to convince a resistant member of my household (I'm too considerate of others lol) and I don't know about things like their lifecycle and what is meant by nymphs and other terms.

[alewis0890]

Nymphs are the same as "juvies" there not adults. Dubias life span can be a year to 2 years although i havent counted, alot of species are 6 months though. ask specific questions and we will be happy to answer them

[Alara]

Would it be better to get the 500 count or would the 300 count do to start a colony (from the link)?  How long would I have to wait to start feeding them off?  Would you feed off a particular age of roaches (in order to not kill off the colony) as well as the space between the eyes rule?  (Hope I worded that right).  Another way to put that might be should I not let the amount of adults and/or nymphs go below a certain number.  I've read that they can't fly, but can they jump?

Can't remember the other questions right now.

[lqdragon]

in my opinion, the 500 would be better. How many animals are you feeding? Ages?  It'll make a difference on how soon you will have a self sustaining colony. One thing I noticed was he is not offering shipping, are you local to him?

[jbnery6465]

I agree with lqdragon, and dubias breed pretty slow compared to Turks and Lobsters. So starting with more wouldn't hurt.

[Alara]

Right now I have 2 18 month olds, a 4 month old, and a 3 month old.  The 3 month old will find a home sometime in the near future.

[alewis0890]

id say if they were properly heated and fed and watered and left alone, about 3-5 months will have a good supply and they cant jump either, they can jump downwards like if you hold them but i have never seen them just jump for no reason

[jbnery6465]

And I know for Lobster and Turks, that feeding an Orange every so often helps with breeding. It's like Roach . I think it's the same for Dubias.

[alewis0890]

yes, oranges do the same for dubias as well