Hornworm/Silkworm question

[Silver]

Hornworms seem to be nutritious based on the ratio 1:4 ..why are they rated as feed occasionally as a treat on the Nutrition chart? Silver got his first silkworms and hornworms today. He ate a few of each as well as a pile of Phoenix worms.

Can he eat as many of the silks as he would like mixed in with the Phoenix worms? How often is okay for the horns? Do I store the silks and horns at room temp? Any other advice on the subject?
Thanks!

Jeanne

That's the little pig with his Phoenix worms!

 

[ShannyBeard]

YES he can eat all the silkworms that he wants. They are naturally high in protein and are quite good for your dragon. Hornworms are lower in protein and fat both. I don't know why they are on the 'feed occasionally' list. I can't think of anything that would make them harmful as a staple, although there are better daily staples with respect to protein, like the silks and BSFL that you are already feeding.

 

[Silver]

Thanks....do you have to dust the worms with calcium? Also a trick I've found ...litle bits of collard greens stick to the silkworms. Silver is refusing veggies of any kind so it's a start. Also...stools are a little looser. Same color.....just a little mushier with a little water mixed in. No extra smell...Hope it's just getting used to a new food.

Also any tips on storing them....Hornworms seem to be failing fast. Silkworms seem to be lasting much better.

 

[ShannyBeard]

Yes, you still need to dust them with calcium. I don't dust butterworms or Repti-worms.

 

[Silver]

Thanks I wasn't sure.....I still make him eat a pile of Phoenix worms first. After just a week he recognizes the container. They are pricey...any better deals than the postage paid boxes from Mulberry Farms?

 

[ShannyBeard]

Check and see if they are cheaper from the actual company http://www.reptiworms.com/ and use discount code HUNGRY20 for a 20% disccount.

 

[Silver]

Thanks for the site.....those are the bites/treats I've heard so much about. Might try those ....already ordered the PWs from the Phoenix Worm Store.

 

[ShannyBeard]

Cool! Hope he likes all these new feeder options. I swear my dragons love having so many different things to eat.

 

[Silver]

It is good...Going out of town for 3 days and I know the sitter won't have trouble getting him to eat.

 

[slinkystumpy]

Silver, my beardies stool was like that right after starting him on silkworms and hornworms. It could just be from a change in diet.

 

[Silver]

Thanks...yesterday's stool was very close to back to normal. The silks and horns are so soft compared to even the PWs....wasn't surprised in the change. Now to work on the veggies....

 

[Tomek]

My beardie will NOT eat anything but hornworms. I get them from Mulberryfarms and use these as a staple. He is about 1 1/2 years old and I think they are very nutritious for my gal

 

[Silver]

Got the horns and silks from Mulberry Farms a week ago. Silks are still going strong but horns got mushy and are dead. Kept at room temperature next to the silks. Do they have a shorter shelf life? I just reordered silks only and PWs from the Phoenix Worm store. Will try to get a picture of Silver with the silks..... he goes crazy!! Not that he has a problem with the PWs ....notice above picture!

Jeanne

 

[KatieKat]

Got the horns and silks from Mulberry Farms a week ago. Silks are still going strong but horns got mushy and are dead. Kept at room temperature next to the silks. Do they have a shorter shelf life? I just reordered silks only and PWs from the Phoenix Worm store. Will try to get a picture of Silver with the silks..... he goes crazy!! Not that he has a problem with the PWs ....notice above picture!

Jeanne

I've heard things like that about Mulberry farm's hornworms... I love their silks and supers, but try odering hornwowmrs from lindasgonebuggie.com Really good site with good prices, I just got a shipment of 45 yesterday, only on teeny-tiny was dead!