will bluebirds eat crickets? how to store crickets?
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Guest
I have a feeder tray for the bluebirds...feeding them mealworms. If I put crickets on this tray for the martins, will the bluebirds eat the crickets too? wondering how many to worder from flucker. do they store in the vegatable drawer of the refrigerator just like mealworms??? my husband is going to love this...he cannot stand the mealworms in there now.
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Guest
well I ordered 500 crickets from Fluckers. Might as well learn how to deal with them now. They suggested putting them in an aquarium, but I don't have one of those. so we will see. Maybe a big jar.
My husband will really like this. he hates bugs.
My husband will really like this. he hates bugs.
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CUL Lou~Mich
Sharon. Fluker farms is apparently giving you instructions for keeping the crickets alive. I'm not sure I'd mess with that. I'd think it was better to just put them into the crisper drawer. That will kill them, but they shouldn't dry out. When you want to feed some, just let them warm to room temp, and put them out, or fling them whatever. It's better to warm them, since if you feed them cold, and the weather is bad, it's going to take extra energy for the birds to warm them up in their bellies. I'm not sure about BB eating them but I'd almost think they would. CUL Lou
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hi Sharon.
Most Purple Martin landlords put the crickets in the freezer and remove what they need as they need them - thaw before feeding.
This is the only way to make sure you always have crickets on hand (year round).
If you want to keep the crickets alive - you will need to care for them as you would any "pet". I think one of the worst problems for them is overcrowding. They need enough surface so they don't stand on top of each other. The petstore always provides a cardboard egg crate - this gives them a lot of surface. But, I think trying to keep 500 crickets alive might be a bit of a problem. Be careful - they are escape artists!
If you put the entire package into the freezer initially - then you can separate them into smaller quantities and keep in ziplock bags for convenience in the future.
Most Purple Martin landlords put the crickets in the freezer and remove what they need as they need them - thaw before feeding.
This is the only way to make sure you always have crickets on hand (year round).
If you want to keep the crickets alive - you will need to care for them as you would any "pet". I think one of the worst problems for them is overcrowding. They need enough surface so they don't stand on top of each other. The petstore always provides a cardboard egg crate - this gives them a lot of surface. But, I think trying to keep 500 crickets alive might be a bit of a problem. Be careful - they are escape artists!
If you put the entire package into the freezer initially - then you can separate them into smaller quantities and keep in ziplock bags for convenience in the future.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
You got good advice above. Yes the Blue Birds will eat the crickets. I flash froze mine when I wanted to use them. I found though that the crickets are harder to keep than meal worms and, if given a choice, I think the Blue Birds prefer meal worms over the crickets.
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Guest
well glad the bluebirds will eat the crickets too...at least if the martins won't get them, the bluebirds will. Will have to get some "flinging" plastic spoons now.
tomorrow should be fun after FEDEX gets here.
tomorrow should be fun after FEDEX gets here.