Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
How do I get Crickets up in size quickly?
What is the best light, heating and air quality?
I have raised crickets several times and have 2 thousand or so pin heads now but they are stunted and don't grow. Even after feeding them and giving them water after 3 weeks they are still very small.
I am sure this is a common problem, as I have heard about this before.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks Steve

Believe it or not, one of the strongest determinates of how quickly crickets grow is directly related to how crowded their conditions are. The hypothesis is that crickets born into crowded conditions are able to switch into an advantageous hypergrowth. The advantage is that they sooner be able to disperse and take advantage of new habitats.

This is supported by the fact that crickets raised in crowded conditions are also more likely to grow long wings and fully developed flight muscles.

Most of these studies were done on N. American species of Gryllus and not Acheta domestica. However, it is my understanding that anecdotal observations of A. domestica support this.

I know from experience that crickets growth is strongly related to temperature. Keep them around 28-30°C and they'll grow very fast. However, at this temperature, you have to have a very good ventilation and give them lots of food, because when they grow fast, they eat a lot.