Ghann's Cricket Farm

[Golden Gate Geckos]

As most of you know, I had a very tragic experience with my rare Aussie geckos a few months ago by feeding the Jamaican Field Cricket (Gryllus assilimis). These crickets are now being marketed by most of the feeder companies. I posted my experience here on GF in these two threads:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=76633
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=77858

I also wrote this article GECKO TIME

I got the following email from Ghann's this morning:

To All Ghann's GREAT Breeders...

We Still Have GREAT Prices!

Even though we've had to outsource some crickets this year (which obviously increased our cost) we continued to offer crickets to GREAT breeders at prices substantially lower than other producers. We figure we're in this together - you need to feed your animals as cost effectively as possible to stay in business, and WE need YOUR support to stay in business. We're doing all we can to keep helping you, and we appreciate you continuing to support us.

Better Acheta Production!

Despite our best efforts, outsourcing sometimes led to unanticipated shortages on certain sizes. To insure that our GREAT members' animals didn't go hungry, we occasionally shipped crickets that may not have been quite the exact size ordered. While most of you were understanding & appreciated our efforts to fill your orders with something, we also had some complaints about the abnormal sizing. I'm happy to announce that we are doing a better job now of meeting Acheta demand with our own production, and we're outsourcing less and less each week. This means sizing problems should be few & far between going forward.

NEW CRICKET! - Gryllus assimilis

We are now producing Gryllus assimilis, the alternative cricket that arguably saved the industry in Europe when the virus hit there. Contrary to some disinformation that has been spread, the USDA has approved the shipment of Gryllus into states that have granted permits to producers. Ghann's has permits from 40 states so far, so we CAN begin shipping them as soon as we get supply up to speed which shouldn't be too much longer.

Gryllus assimilis - GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT!

We've heard rumors that a "black cricket" being shipped out of CA (possibly illegally since very few other growers have permits yet) is aggressive and not as good as the "brown cricket" (Acheta domesticus) that we're all used to. Don't panic - these rumors are just that - rumors, and the crickets coming out of CA may not even be Gryllus assimilis (some growers have experimented with other species). TRUE Gryllus assimilis (ours were ID'd by a USDA approved Entomologist) are just fine for feeding anything that eats Achetas. Once we make our Gryllus available, we suggest you try them & see for yourself rather than blindly buy in to negative propaganda spread by those who may have a vested interest in squelching this new feeder before it gets to market.

We've heard rumors that a "black cricket" being shipped out of CA (possibly illegally since very few other growers have permits yet) is aggressive and not as good as the "brown cricket" (Acheta domesticus) that we're all used to. Don't panic - these rumors are just that - rumors, and the crickets coming out of CA may not even be Gryllus assimilis (some growers have experimented with other species). TRUE Gryllus assimilis (ours were ID'd by a USDA approved Entomologist) are just fine for feeding anything that eats Achetas. Once we make our Gryllus available, we suggest you try them & see for yourself rather than blindly buy in to negative propaganda spread by those who may have a vested interest in squelching this new feeder before it gets to market.

Worms are Back!

We are reintroducing worms to our feeder insect lineup! Phoenix Worms are available NOW for $3.99 per cup (Small - 150 worms/cup, Medium - 100 worms/cup), and mealworms & waxworms will be available very soon - ask when you place your next order.


Discounted Fedex Shipping

One last thing - some of you may not know that Ghann's is part owner of Reptiles Express (www.reptilesexpress.com) where breeders can purchase all sorts of Fedex pre-approved packaging to insure that your animals are shipped safely & properly, and RE members can purchase Fedex shipping labels at substantially discounted rates. Check it out today!


Regards,

Clay A. Ghann
President/CEO
Ghann's Cricket Farm, Inc.

This is my response... can you tell I'm upset?

Dear Mr. Ghann,

I deeply resent the implication that the aggressive Gryllus assimilis cricket "rumors" are false. I wrote this article a few months ago describing my tragic experience with these crickets, and the loss of thousands of dollars in rare geckos as a result of feeding these biting crickets to them. I was bitten myself by a large G. assimilis which drew blood, and have another breeder in witness to the power of the mandibles on these crickets!

I made every effort not to villainize the feeder companies in my article, and have Armstrongs, Timberline, Sunshine, Bassetts, American Cricket Ranch, and Rainbow in agreement to validate that the G. assimilis cricket is NOT an appropriate feeder for many gecko species. Not only did I not get the courtesy of a reply from you when I contacted Ghann's about this issue, but Tammy Butler did respond to me with an email I will forward to you. I can't speak for the 'propaganda' that other feeder companies might be spreading, but to my knowledge, they ARE admitting that the Gryllus assimilis cricket is aggressive and making a disclaimer for those that purchase them to this affect. I also received a response from the USDA regarding these crickets, and even they are aware of the potential for injury of the animals that eat them!

By making a public statement that the devastating experience I had with the Jamaican Field Cricket as "false"', "rumor", "propaganda" feels like getting punched in the stomach... adding insult to injury. By invalidating the facts, you essentially are calling all the other feeder companies and those of us who have experience the aggression of the G. assimilus LIARS. Shame on you!

Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
925-755-3113
http://www.goldengategeckos.com

 

[geckoboa]

Wow I'm surprised. I know the pain of loosing a pet(s) and then to have someone disregard the facts all in the name of profit is a big slap in the face. Unfortunately your animals died but you should be proud that you have prevented it from happening to many more out there. Thanks for the info Marcia.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Here is the response from the USDA I received a couple of weeks ago:

“110620-000036 Response Via Email (USDA/APHIS) 09/28/2011 09:36 AM

We appreciate your desire to comply with USDA regulations. With a permit from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, suppliers may import and sell Gryllus assimilis (Jamaican field crickets) to customers in certain States, including California. To ensure that any purchases are made from a reputable dealer, we suggest that you ask a prospective supplier to show you a valid permit to ship to your State. We have received several reports of these crickets displaying aggressive, biting behavior and may not be appropriate as feeders for certain animals. Accordingly, we understand cricket suppliers are investigating the use of other species.”

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I would be more than livid with this situation. I am sorry for your loss but am glad to see you are pursuing whatever justice and spread of knowledge as possible. Do keep us updated on this.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

I for one am glad that you have come forward with your experience. It has probably saved breeders a lot of heartache and money. Shame on them for trying to downplay it to make a buck.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

In all fairness, I received a very thoughtful email from Clay Ghann. He is fully aware of this thread, and I hope he posts his perspective here. It's difficult for me to be objective after the devastating loss of my beloved Aussie geckos, but I am not an unfair or unapproachable person. I just don't know who or what to trust at this point.

 

[GeckoCrossing]

I got the same email about the Gryllus assilimis crickets being used at Ghann's and it's got me worried. My last shipment was fine. It had none of them in it. But my next shipment might, and I have a lot of mouths to feed. I'm part of Ghann's great breeder program and order about 5-6000 crickets every two weeks almost. So this news is very worrying. I've started a roach colony though, so hopefully that will get going.

In the meantime though, is there any cricket breeder that still uses only the common house cricket, or any other cricket that is safe to feed? I mean, I watch my geckos while they eat but I can't watch 20 Leo geckos all at the same time. And I'll be needing some more crickets very soon =/

 

[GeckoCrossing]

Hmm, signature didn't show up.

- Jonathan Mcilwaine

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Ghann's will begin producing and selling G. assimilus crickets, but still have the A. domestica available.

 

[im faster]

i almost started a breeder program with them. thanks for the post

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Personally, I don't see why you wouldn't take advantage of their breeder program. Just make sure you order Alcheta domestica crickets and NOT Gryllus assimilus.

 

[acpart]

I have been told by expresscrickets.com that they are continuing to offer the A. domestica. Their prices include shipping, come next day air, and the cost per thousand decreases the more you order. I don't know how price compares to the Ghann breeder program.

Aliza