How many breeding cycles can I run per year?

With optimal conditions, you can run 5-6 complete cycles per year per production unit. With staggered scheduling, a farm with multiple zones can harvest every 1-2 weeks year-round, ensuring steady supply for customers.

What percentage of my colony should be breeders?

Keep 5-10% of your colony as dedicated breeders. Select the largest, healthiest adults with good body condition. Replace breeders every 2-3 cycles to maintain genetic diversity and vigor. A breeding ratio of 1 male to 3-4 females is optimal.

How do I stagger breeding cycles for continuous production?

Start new breeding bins every 1-2 weeks. With 8-week cycles and weekly starts, you will have 8 cohorts at different stages simultaneously. This ensures weekly harvests and consistent supply. Use a calendar or scheduling tool to track each cohort.

Insect Breeding Cycle Scheduler

Breeding cycle scheduling ensures continuous production in commercial insect farming. A complete cricket lifecycle takes 8-10 weeks: egg incubation (10-14 days), pinhead to juvenile (2-3 weeks), juvenile to adult (2-3 weeks), and breeding/egg collection (1-2 weeks). Staggering cycles 1-2 weeks apart maintains steady harvest flow and prevents production gaps.

Schedule Breeding Cycles

Start Date

Number of Staggered Cycles

Stagger Interval (weeks)

Phase Duration (days)

Egg Incubation

Pinhead

Juvenile

Adult/Breeding

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Frequently Asked Questions

The full cricket lifecycle from egg to harvestable adult is 8-10 weeks. Egg incubation takes 10-14 days at 30-33C. Pinhead to juvenile is 2-3 weeks. Juvenile to adult is another 2-3 weeks. Breeders produce eggs for 1-2 weeks before end of life.

Insect Breeding Cycle Scheduler

Schedule Breeding Cycles

Phase Duration (days)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Insect Farming Tools

Colony Growth Projector

Harvest Yield Estimator

Environmental Control Planner