healthy weight gain

[Mimiworkslave]

My little porker gained 11g this week he's looking much healthier and had a successful shed. Thanks for all the advice peeps ????

 

[Taffer]

My little porker gained 11g this week he's looking much healthier and had a successful shed. Thanks for all the advice peeps ????

Awesome! I'm so happy for you both Mini! So in one week from about 37 grams to 48 grams...that's about a 23% gain in weight. Of course if you catch him just after a good poop he'd probably be back down to about 43 LOL. Still awesome that he is recovering so well! You'll be able to tell he is about to shed because his skin will get a dull color as it starts to separate, and don't be surprised if you see him stretching his beard over and over trying to get the skin to break free. The first time our "Monster" shed she climbed inside the water dish and got soaking wet and kept rubbing against the rough side to get it all off. You probably already know this, but if not, don't pull on any of the shedding skin as you can tear the skin and make him bleed. you could also spritz him with water if a section is being tough to remove to help soften it up, or give him a little bath.

 

[Mimiworkslave]

Thank you. Yes I noticed he was rather grumpy when he was getting ready to shed and then was very fidgety in his viv but it only lasted a could of days. I think his tail is still to shed and is going that grey colour you describe but I have the spray bottle on hand and cuddles where he needs them.

I'm so pleased he is looking healthier and the vet too was pleased with his progress. Going to see if I can source some roaches for him or something a bit more nutritious than the crickets but they aren't easy to get in the U.K.

 

[Rankins]

Can you mail order the roaches? I did a quick search and found a few suppliers in the UK. Prices were fair for the dubias I found.
If they are hard to acquire start a colony as soon as your able. It takes awhile to become established.

 

[Taffer]

Can you mail order the roaches? I did a quick search and found a few suppliers in the UK. Prices were fair for the dubias I found.
If they are hard to acquire start a colony as soon as your able. It takes awhile to become established.

The colony of roaches is the way to go. I started my colony about 9 days ago and moved the breeding set to the other tank today and already had probably 100-200 baby nymphs running around. It takes a few months for the colony to be self-sustaining, but once it is, (from what I've read), it is easy to keep them going. if you get too many just sell them off to the other exotic pet owners in the area or turn the heat down a little to slow production. I think that's right anyway, I'm still new to breeding roaches.

How do you get the roaches out of the bin to feed your beardie Rankins? The tongs I have are not working out too well. I may need a different type of tongs? Thanks!

 

[Rankins]

I pick them up with my hands. I'm not bothered by them at all. I have some gigantic species that do look a bit intimidating though. But they are perfectly harmless
(Edit: Obviously wash your hands afterwards though )

 

[Taffer]

I pick them up with my hands. I'm not bothered by them at all. I have some gigantic species that do look a bit intimidating though. But they are perfectly harmless

I'll get there, but I'm not there yet. I've give these roaches credit...they have a sturdy grip when they are on anything besides smooth plastic!

When the females are carrying the egg sac, how does that work? Is the sac out and exposed the larger the unborn nymphs grow, or can they pull it back in, even up until they are born?

 

[Taffer]

Can you mail order the roaches? I did a quick search and found a few suppliers in the UK. Prices were fair for the dubias I found.
If they are hard to acquire start a colony as soon as your able. It takes awhile to become established.

One note to add...if it is cold outside, you may want to spend a little more on the roaches if you can reduce the amount of time they are in transit. I'm in Virginia (east coast) and ordered my roaches from somewhere in California (west coast), and both times I placed my order, they were shipped out on Wednesday. One delivery was on a Saturday, the last ended up being on a Monday and there were some deaths that could probably have been avoided if the delivery was quicker.