Dubia's and what NOT to feed

[YoshiHiro]

Hello everyone
I'm about to have my Dubias here tomorrow going to take a hand a breeding them to save money on feeder maybe even eventually make money. Now i've been doing a decent amount or research both on here and other sites many people ask what do i feed my Dubias? I see a lot of answers such as dog/cat food, fruits, ect.......

Now my main two questions:
I have a 100% Soy Protein, I did not like the flavor/texture so will this be safe to mix a little in their dry food?

(I know many will not know the answer but figured i'd take a shot in the dark, I will have a control group of Dubia that will be fed this mixture aside from the core colony to see what the results are So none the less will eventually have my answer.

My Second concern: What NOT to feed Dubia? is there anything that should not go in the colony because it would kill them? or any other negative side effects to food. <<< This is one thing i was unable to find information about. Thanks again in advance for any information provide.

 

[Claudiusx]

Regarding the protein, it can't be a whey protein if its made from soy. If its made from soy its a soy protein. If its from milk and specifically made into whey, and not Casein, then its a whey protein.

Although, if your container says whey protein, it is whey protein and most likely just has soy added to it like many brands do.

If it is actually mainly soy, I would cautiously say its ok. You might want to test it first, but there shouldn't really be any reason why the roaches can't have it unless its not a pure soy protein, and it has lots of additives.

It really would be best to just stay safe and grind up some dog or cat food because we know that is safe for them. If you want to try out the protein powder, I would do it with a test group for a month or so and see if there are any excessive deaths.

-Brandon

 

[YoshiHiro]

My apologies its typo with the Whey... it is 100% Soy Protein. I've been jumping in between this site and my bodybuilding forums (weird combo i know) But yes 100 % Soy didn't like it compared to my Whey for my own use. Ill definitely try it with a control group of like 40-50 Smalls and compare their either death or growth to the core colony group.

What if they grow at an amazing rate? (Thats just what i hope happens) Thanks for input and fast reply ill edit the Whey part.

 

[Claudiusx]

Well, you would also want to add some more nutrients to the food so that its not a protein only diet. Buy some Cheerios and put them in a grinder and grind them to a powder and mix them in with the soy protein and see how it goes. I am interested in this too, but I like all the protein powder I buy so I don't want to give it to my dubias lol. They get dog food and cereal.

-Brandon

 

[YoshiHiro]

Oh no sorry wasn't planning on only doing Protein going to use same mixture (dry dog/cat food or cereal) for both groups. The ONLY X-factor will be the test group will have the Soy Protein Mixed in their food. And i also figure 1-2 scoops will go a long way mixed in their food and if some good results occur it would hurt my pocket at all seeing as I have almost 2 lbs laying around that i don't like and its already paid for lol

 

[Claudiusx]

Keep me updated on it I am interested to see how it goes.

-Brandon

 

[herpgirl2510]

I also cut an orange in two and put it in with my colony , I put in cricket chow ro roash chow with mine. I have never thought about dog food I will give it a try.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

I use mainly 60/40 blend of cat food and whole oats. I like the catfood for the higher protein content. I also mix in fish food when I get it cheap. I put apple cores into the bin from time to time as well a stems from my greens.

 

[Gail]

Personally I wouldn't use the soy, its really not that great for reptiles and if you google "cons of soy", you will be surprised to find out its not as healthy as so many people think it is. Don't feed coconut either, it really makes the dubia smell bad, no tomato or rhubarb leaves.

 

[Claudiusx]

The only negative side effects of actual soy protein shakes that I am aware of is they raise estrogen levels.

But, we won't know for sure how roaches do with it until someone tests it, which Yoshi is going to do and tell us

I do a lot of research about all that kind of stuff Gail, so pardon me if i'm sounding mean but, there is always something on google saying how bad something is and how good something is, and from experience with soy protein, the only negative side effects i've experienced is slightly increased estrogen levels.

Once again, not trying to sound rude, just bringing my experience to the table.

-Brandon

 

[YoshiHiro]

Thanks to everyone who has replied got some good info. I got my Dubia today (kinda creepy at first but i will definitely get used to them very fast) and will start my mad scientist project later this week once i have everything else settled want to have equivalent temps and everything so that the absolute only difference is the added Soy Protein. I'll keep everyone posted on how things are going with the test. Also i'm going to keep researching this i'm sure i'm not the first person to consider this so if I or anyones finds information please post.

Brandon you stated something about rising levels of estrogen (Hopefully this holds true and alot more of my nymphs turn into Females lol) One of my main questions has yet to be answered though and id appreciate feedback on this one.

WHAT NOT TO FEED? Are there any foods out there that are going to be detrimental to my colony? ie kill them off....

 

[Claudiusx]

Sorry about that,

Gail mentioned some things you should stay away from, coconut, tomato, rhubarb leaves.
Basically, don't feed your roaches anything that is toxic to dragons.


For a list of vegies and fruits that are both toxic and non toxic, look here: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
Other than that, I think they CAN eat anything, but you don't want them to eat certain things if you are going to be feeding to your dragon.
I'd also be careful with extremely high calcium amounts in the food.

-Brandon

 

[YoshiHiro]

Thanks for such quick replies Brandon your the man... This works since my Yoshi doesn't always eat all his veggies like Kale and other greens I could feed that to roaches, that way i'm not always throwing it out because it goes bad because doesn't eat it fast enough. Thanks again for input.

 

[12many]

i think for your experiment, you have to keep both temperatures of your bin the same. Otherwise, it wouldn't be controlled, since heat is a factor in their growth too.

ignore this if you were doing this already. Didn't read anything in regards to heat in your post.

 

[kimbasmom]

Mine get a mixture of our own roach/cricket chow that I make (and sell ), which for the roaches is chicken layer (non-medicated and as natural/organic as I can buy) crumbles, soy meal (pure, from a local feed mill), and ground grains/veggies. I add oranges. Organically grown turnip leaves (from my garden). (I've got carrots growing too), and sometimes other veggies when I cook. (or when I mix them up for the parrots).

I love the Nutrition site on beautiful dragons posted earlier. I figure the better the stuff into the bugs, the better the bugs into the lizard.