Equipment Comparison: Chart Of Common Rearing Container Options
Chart Of Common Rearing Container Options
|
Rearing container options |
Concrete cylinder pen |
Concrete block pen |
|
Size |
Approximately 80 centimetres in diameter and 50 centimetres high |
The sizes vary depending on space availability; 1.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 metres is common |
|
Possible amount of cricket raised per production cycle |
One cylinder can produce around 2 to 4 kilograms of crickets |
One pen can produce 25 to 30 kilograms of cricket. |
|
Advantage |
Inexpensive, easy to maintain and suitable for small- and medium-size farms. Lack of sharp corners means fewer crickets trapped in the corner. |
Rectangular shape is an efficient way of using space. Concrete acts as a heat sink, trapping heat during the day and releasing it at night. |
|
Disadvantage |
Cannot be moved easily and need considerable space. Limited to single tier of production |
Risk of disease outbreak or overheating as the cricket population is always crowded |
|
Pictures of rearing containers |
|
|
|
Rearing containers |
Plywood boxes |
Plastic drawers |
|
Size |
Made from plywood or gypsum board. They are about 1.2 x 2.4 x 0.5 metres |
Made from plastic sheets. Each drawer is square and around 0.8 x 1.8 x 0.3 metres in size. |
|
Possible amount of cricket raised per production cycle |
One box can produce 20 to 30 kilograms of crickets |
A set of 3-4 drawers can produce 6 to 8 kilograms of crickets |
|
Advantage |
Boxes are movable. Easy to clean and do not build up as much heat as the concrete block pens |
Boxes are easily movable. Need very little space and are suitable for small- and medium-size farms. |
|
Disadvantage |
Boxes are less durable than the concrete blocks |
Plastic deteriorates and needs replacing. Furthermore, crickets stored in the top drawers have a high mortality rate due to overheating. |
|
Pictures of rearing containers |
|
|
Source for base chart: TECA
|
Rearing container options |
Whole-Room Rearing System |
Polyeurythane “bags” on external framework |
|
Size |
Whole rooms, ranging from 200 sq ft (20 sq m) to 20,000 sq ft (2,000 sq m) |
Based on available size, typically similar to plywood boxes. Boxes form framework, and sheets of greenhouse plastic form the “bag” |
|
Possible amount of cricket raised per production cycle |
1 200 sq m room can produce XXX kg of crickets |
One box can produce 20 to 30 kilograms of crickets |
|
Advantage |
Very cost-efficient, allows for otherwise unrecognizable operational efficiency, reduces back strain on workers |
Bags make cleaning very fast and easy. Greatly reduce risk of contamination generation to generation. |
|
Disadvantage |
High risk: viral contamination can render whole warehouse unusable. Disease can wipe out a whole crop. Difficult to maintain even distribution of food, water, and crickets throughout the entire room. Harvesting can be more difficult, and size-based grading is impossible. |
Less ecologically friendly Continued operating expense to rebuy bags. |
|
Pictures of Rearing containers |
Entomo Farms |
** Pic from Kubo’s farm** |
|
Rearing container options |
Shipping Container System (Kubo Box) |
Kvassay Breeding System |
|
Size |
|
|
|
Possible amount of cricket raised per production cycle |
|
|
|
Advantage |
|
|
|
Disadvantage |
|
|
|
Pictures of Rearing containers |
|
|
|
Rearing container options |
Grow Tents |
|
|
Size |
Varies, typically 4’x8’x’7.5’ or 10’x10’x7.5’ |
|
|
Possible amount of cricket raised per production cycle |
|
|
|
Advantage |
|
|
|
Disadvantage |
|
|
|
Pictures of Rearing containers |
|
|