Gutloading Question

[UpstateNYPets]

I always gutload my crickets and other feeders before feeding them to get the most nutrition out of them. I was wondering, would the crickets eat calcium and vitamin powder if I sprinkled it on their food? Wouldn't that be the best way to make them more calcium rich along with the gutloading food? (I use Flukers gutload along with scraps of lettuce and fruit). I also have green anoles who will not touch anything that has been dusted. So I thought if they (crickets) were eating the calcium supplements they would have a better calcium level, therefor not depriving my anoles with calcium. I also like the idea of my beardie eating the crickets that are high in calcium gutload.

My question: Is it good to sprinkle the same calcium/vit supplement that I use for my beardie, on the crickets food? Will this give the feeders more of a nutrition content and be healthier for both my anoles and beardie?

 

[UpstateNYPets]

ANYONE?

 

[clear]

To much calcium kills crickets.

 

[Judah'sHuman]

there is a product called dragon dust and they make one for feeders, this may work for you. You can get it at Reptilesupply.com. However, I have heard the the Dragon dust for Beardies is not good because it has high levels of D3 and can be toxic. So I would just stick with the feeder "Dragon Dust, IC".

 

[herpfreak]

It appears, from the other answers here, than D3 is not good for crix. Even if it was, dusting the actual crickets is a much more direct way of supplementing your beardie. When the crix excrete, they are very likely getting rid of some calcium. Plus, they are tiny and don't eat much... they won't eat as much calcium as you sprinkle on them.

 

[Judah'sHuman]

I personally just put the vits on to Judahs salad now that he is older, but he loves the taste of his Cal and Miner-All. I was just thinking that if The anols dont like the taste when the feeders are dusted, perhaps you could try the Dragon dust for the feeders (for the anols). Dragon Dust was created and used by Sandfire Dragon Farms and it has several very good reviews. I have only heard that it is not great for Beardies directly because of the D3 in it and possable overdose. Just and FYI I have heard about the same high nutrition and effects from Sticky Tounge Miner All and that is avaialable with out D3, but if the Anols wont eat it (don't like it) when dusted or put on to salads, then that wont help. It prolly shouldn't be fed to the crickets?? I would think that giving them the same type of vits as our Dragons would O.D. them, But the Dragon Dust for feeders is made for the feeders, so im sure that it is a lower dose. I believe they also have and Anol dust at Reptile supply, I swear I saw something.

If your beardie doesnt mind the taste of the vits then i would just stick to dusting the crickets or putting some on the salads. As long as you have a good Mineral sup and Cal sup and he is eatting it along with a balanced variety of greens then he shoudl be getting all the vits he needs.