1 to 7 is a big jump-especially since they are not hatchlings. If they were eating live then you have your work cut out for you...
That is quite the story: I totally believe it. I gave my aunt a big Dubia colony with over 1000 adults. When my uncle found out: 'Not in my house' he said....and immediately drove it to the nearest pet store and dropped it off (they offered him store credit-but he turned it down). I would have liked my bin and heating pad back if I knew he was going to ditch the entire colony...ahhh well...at least they have had a reliable supply of dubias there ever since...