Breeding management

Breeding management

Section 1: Breeding Density

The life cycle of crickets includes breeding, egg-laying, juvenile, and adult stages. During the breeding phase, the young are small and less active. The initial breeding density is typically between 50,000 to 60,000 individuals per square meter. As the larvae grow and become more active, the breeding area should be expanded to around 15,000 per square meter. Under optimal conditions, the breeding density for William Ring Catfish can be maintained at about 20,000 per square meter, depending on the specific setup and management practices.

Section 2: Seeding and Retention Methods

First, the seeding method:

  1. Place the quail species in the feed and allow them to reproduce naturally. Collect pupae every 10 to 15 days.
  2. Incubate and collect cockroaches from the culture bed, then transfer them to other beds for hatching.
  3. How to collect manure (earthworm excrement):
    • Method one: Remove the raw material from the bed, place new feed in the original bed, and spread the old feed (along with mash) over the new material. When ready to feed the new layer, take the old feed containing the eggs.
    • Method two: Set up new feed beds on both sides of the original bed. After 2–3 days, the organisms will move into the new beds. Then remove the original bed along with the quails and pupae, sieve or relocate them for continued hatching.
    • Method three: Collect maggots that contain a lot of eggs. Spread the earthworms on a dry surface, avoiding direct sunlight. When the moisture content reaches about 40%, sieve the manure using a 2–3 mm mesh. Sieve the material (coarse and fine), set up a new bed, add water to reach 60% moisture, and continue the hatching process.

Second, the seed-retaining method involves selecting mature cockroaches with strong development, bright color, and swollen reproductive bands to renew the breeding population. You can also use scorpion species by following similar steps, such as collecting maggots, drying the excrement, sieving, and storing in plastic bags.

Section 3: Environmental Management

Crickets are sensitive to environmental factors, often referred to as "three highs and three fears": high humidity, high temperature, high light, and fear of vibration, touch, and light. Managing these aspects is crucial for successful breeding.

First, appropriate temperature:

  1. Maintain the bed temperature between 20°C and 25°C.
  2. In winter, cover the bed with straw or plastic film for insulation. In summer, provide shade and water to maintain air circulation.

Second, suitable humidity:

  1. Keep the bed humidity around 60%. The feed should feel slightly moist when squeezed but not dripping.
  2. Sprinkle water on the trampoline regularly to keep it moist, ensuring the underlying water does not exceed 1–2 cm.
  3. In summer, water daily in the afternoon. In cooler periods, water every 3–5 days. In low-temperature seasons, water every 10–20 days.

Third, suitable pH level:

  1. A pH range of 6–8 is ideal.
  2. If the feed is too alkaline, adjust with waste sulfuric acid or ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. If too acidic, use stone water or potassium hydroxide.

Fourth, anti-fighting measures:

  1. Ensure proper feeding and habitat conditions to prevent overcrowding and escape behavior. Monitor cricket activity and implement preventive measures during aquaculture.
  2. Regularly clean up manure to avoid acidity in the bed. Harvesting can be done simultaneously with feeding and carcass removal.

How to clean up worms:

  1. Scratch and remove: Spread new feed over the existing layer, cover with a straw curtain. After 2–3 days, most worms will gather on the new feed. Scrape off the top layer and remove the manure, then return the worms to the original bed.
  2. Scraping down: Remove the old feed, replace with new feed, and spread the old feed (with mash) on top. When the cockroaches are trapped in the lower layer, gradually remove the upper layer.
  3. Lateral separation: Place new feed beds on both sides of the original. After 2–3 days, the organisms will move into the new beds. Remove the excreted material from the center and move the fresh feed back to the original location.

Fifth, other measures:

  1. Keep the environment quiet and avoid frequent disturbances during feeding.
  2. Avoid strong light exposure.
  3. Ensure good ventilation to maintain fresh air for normal metabolism.

Section 4: Daily Management

Daily management focuses on several key areas:

  1. Ensure adequate oxygen by turning the material bed regularly or mixing in weeds and wood chips. For thick beds, use sticks to create ventilation holes.
  2. Maintain breathable feed, good water filtration, and proper temperature and humidity. Cover the breeding bed and turn on lights at night to prevent escape.
  3. Feed promptly. In indoor breeding, replace the feed once it becomes feces.
  4. Monitor population density. If too high, separate the cockroaches to prevent stress and death.
  5. Regularly remove manure to reduce buildup and harvest the product. Use fresh feed to attract young larvae, and mechanical or light methods for older ones.
  6. Harvest promptly to maintain population balance and growth dynamics.
  7. Prevent predators such as weasels, frogs, birds, chickens, snakes, and rats.

Section 5: Feeding Techniques

First, the top feeding method: When the surface feed is exhausted, spread new feed on top, about 5–10 cm thick.

  1. Advantages: Easy feeding and observation of feed utilization.
  2. Disadvantages: Water infiltration may cause excess moisture, and successive feed burial may hinder hatching.

Second, the bottom feeding method: Remove the original feed, add new feed, and then re-spread the old feed (with mash) on top.

  1. Advantages: Favors hatching and easy manure removal.
  2. Disadvantage: May lead to feed waste.

Third, side feeding: Place new feed beds on both sides of the original. After 2–3 days, the organisms will migrate. Then sift or relocate the original feed for continued hatching.

Fourth, block acupuncture method: Process the feed into blocks and bury them in the soil or feed bed.

Fifth, dredging method: Suitable for field cultivation. Dredge the upper layer of feed between plant rows.

Section 6: Management

First, incubation management:

  1. Optimal temperature: 20–25°C. Start at 15°C initially, then increase by 2–4°C every few days until reaching 27°C.
  2. Humidity: 60–70%.

After hatching, the larvae are thin and delicate. Careful management is required:

  1. Temperature: Transfer larvae to 25–35°C immediately after hatching.
  2. Moisture: Mist with a sprayer 2–3 times daily, but avoid excessive water.
  3. Feed: Provide fresh, soft, and easily digestible food.
  4. Natural enemies: Watch out for ants, spiders, and rats.

Third, Chengyu management:

  1. Temperature: 20–25°C.
  2. Humidity: Around 60%.

Fourth, species management:

  1. Temperature: 24–27°C.
  2. Humidity: About 60%.
  3. Density: Around 10,000 per square meter.
  4. Feed: Use full-nutrient feed.
  5. Separation: Separate cockroaches monthly, combined with feed replacement and cleaning.

Section 7: Seasonal Management

First, winter management:

  1. Indoor breeding: Seal windows and doors, use heating devices like stoves or firewalls.
  2. Outdoor breeding: Move crickets indoors or into greenhouses before winter. Thicken the culture layer to 40–50 cm, cover with weeds and plastic film. Use fermented manure for insulation: lay 20 cm of fresh horse manure, add chicken manure, and cover with plastic film.

Second, summer management:

  1. Cooling is essential. Keep the trampoline temperature below 30°C.
  2. If temperatures exceed 35°C, water the area to cool it down.

Auto Injector

Shanghai Enjosim Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Enjosim Medical Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.enjosimmedical.com

Next Article
Prev Article