Pine cones as feeder furniture??

[scalesandtales]

Can I use pine cones instead of buying eggcrates/flats? What can I use as furniture for roaches,crickets

 

[zebraflavencs]

I wouldn't use pine cones. The sap can stick to the insects and be digested, and could also cause impaction ie several sticking together. I have used and am using old canisters from oatmeal, box flats, as well as egg crating. By using the oatmeal canisters, I create an open space where to place food and water gels, where I can see them. The roaches hide in the canisters, flats, and the crating.
Hope this helps.
Janie.

 

[scalesandtales]

do you know anywhere to get free egg flats? do you think like foodtown, or other food stores have them to throw away

 

[zebraflavencs]

I would check at all the groceries in your area. Any that offer bulk eggs (24) or more should have the egg crating on hand.
Janie.

 

[thewalrus]

Check a local diner for egg flats, the one i worked at went through dozens a week.

 

[patrickb]

Really you can use just about anything. You could even take card board boxes and cut out flats from them, then fold the pieces into accordian/fan style shapes and stack them like that. Paper towel tubing or the rolls from toilet paper work as well.

 

[redline]

a great housing for my roaches is dry cowpats, the roaches love them and get heaps of use from a single pat, give it a try and u will be surprised at the growth rates

 

[scalesandtales]

What are cowpats?cow poop?
Can they grip on the cardboard? I wanna make sure they are happy lol

 

[patrickb]

Hrmm, cow patties, that is something I never thought about. I would imagine they are loaded with nutrients too! As if my family didn't think I was crazy enough now.

 

[lacy_black]

I'd worry about any parasites that the cow many have had, those could be transfered to the bugs which the dragons then eat. just a thought.

 

[patrickb]

As with any furniture or substrate you harvest from the wild, place them in an oven around 200 degrees for a couple of hours to sterilize them. I do this with substrate as well. And now that you made me say it, I am officially crazy. Thinking of actually baking cow poop! lol

 

[scalesandtales]

Haah I can't imagine my moms question of what i'm baking in the oven

 

[redline]

i understand the parasite potential with wild foods though if we sheild our pets from any potential when the unthinkable happens they have no immunity to it at all :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[diggerdrake]

i understand the parasite potential with wild foods though if we sheild our pets from any potential when the unthinkable happens they have no immunity to it at all :wink: :wink: :wink:

correct but we need to realize that we are providing their complete enviroment from lighting and temps to feeders and all aspects inbetween and being captive bred we should give an optimal environment. not like a dog or cat that can be given free range to pick and choose what to eat or where to sleep. all in all tis better safe than sorry even with all the creatures we have chosen to place in our care.