Changzhou Ziying Metal Products Co., Ltd , https://www.ziyingmetal.com
Anti-season farming technology
Crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, snails, snails, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets, crickets. Crickets are known for their strong reproductive ability, rapid growth, and diverse diet. A single female can lay around 300 eggs per year. In summer, a loud and vibrant cricket can be sold for 1-2 yuan, while in winter, the price can reach up to 100 yuan. These insects are not only delicious when fried but also considered a natural green food and a rare delicacy. However, due to the large-scale use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as manual collection, wild crickets have become nearly extinct. Therefore, artificial breeding of crickets offers a promising and profitable opportunity. With off-season cultivation techniques, crickets can be bred in two seasons, with eggs laid in early spring being raised for winter sale. The key farming methods are outlined below.
(1) Biological Characteristics and Species
Crickets belong to the order Orthoptera and are among the three major insects, along with grasshoppers and locusts. They feed on grasshoppers, mealworms, carrots, lettuce, and beans. Males and females naturally mate. Crickets sold in pet shops or markets are mainly for their chirping sounds, while those used for breeding or insect food sell for over 50 yuan per kilogram. The most popular species include iron-colored, green-backed, and mountain ridge earthworms. Iron-colored crickets are often kept for their music-like calls, while green ones are valued for their ornamental beauty.
(2) Breeding Sites
Sheds, sheds, and greenhouses are suitable for breeding. A simple shed is ideal, making construction and management easier. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot. Avoid low-lying, wet areas. After selecting the site, plant soybeans or wheat to provide a natural food source. Insert bamboo poles 3-4 meters apart, 20 cm into the ground, and secure them with sticks or bamboo. Add pillars in windy areas. Once the structure is ready, cover it with fine mesh to prevent predators and escape. Smaller mesh sizes are more effective.
Indoor breeding is space-efficient and easy to manage, unaffected by weather. Construct a cement or brick enclosure about 80 cm high, with spacing based on wood or board length. The third floor is ideal. Place 10 cm of sand on each level for egg-laying. Use wire mesh or screen cloth to create a multi-layered breeding system.
(3) Introduction, Mating, and Spawning
Fertilized eggs or adult crickets can be purchased from farms or collected from the wild, but selection is important. Maintain a 1:1 male-to-female ratio to avoid aggression. Male crickets attract females with their calls. When a female hears the sound, she climbs onto the male and mates. During mating, the male releases small white bubbles from his testes, which the female absorbs for fertilization. Under sufficient food conditions, a female lays about 300 eggs annually. She uses her ovipositor to dig into the soil and bury the eggs.
Eggs laid before August hatch the following summer, while those after August require an extra year. This process ensures a continuous supply of crickets for sale.
(4) Artificial Incubation and Management
For incubation, use a flat-bottomed container with 5 cm of sand at the bottom. Spread the eggs evenly, covering them with 3 cm of sand. Do not exceed 5 cm to ensure hatching. Spray water thoroughly without pooling at the bottom. Maintain a temperature between 25-35°C. Mist daily to keep moisture. After about 40 days, transfer the eggs to a refrigerator's freezer compartment for one month. This cold treatment triggers hatching. Eyes appear under the eggs, gradually moving upward. Then, place the eggs in a greenhouse at 25-30°C for another 30 days.
Newly hatched crickets should be fed fresh leaves or insect-based paste made from animal liver and egg yolk. After 30-40 days, they are ready for sale as eco-friendly insect food. This method ensures a sustainable and profitable cricket farming business.
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