Question about Butters

[NFM07]

For whatever reason I was not able to get on this site most of the day so I was looking around elsewhere. I came across somethings about butterworms that made me wonder.

I found a site saying they come from Chile or something and when they come into the states they undergo radation and another site someone was saying that when butters die they fuse to the plastic cups.

"I’m not going to come out and say that butters are bad but I’d look into it a bit more before feeding them. There have been instances where dead ones have actually fused into the plastic in rubbermaid containers. I’m not sure what exactly causes this (what chemical reaction) or if it’s just a post mortem thing but after seeing pics it makes me wonder about them.
Sean"

Everything I have come across here says butters are good for them and can be a good staple. Has anyone heard this before?

Thanks
Nicole

 

[Claudiusx]

I've never heard of butters fusing to their container. And I highly doubt its possible. It is possible the the worm decomposes and leaves marks on the container, or gets stuck to he container, but certainly the worm does not fuse into the container.

Yes, it's my understanding too that some buterworms are imported from Chile. Before they are exported out of Chile they treat the worms with radiation so the worms can't reproduce.
I believe their are breeders in the US who breed them, and these ones wouldn't be radiated.

-Brandon

 

[NFM07]

Well that makes me feel a little better about them, I thouhght it was really strange.

How would someone know if someone is breeding them within the states vs getting them from Chile?

 

[Claudiusx]

Well, if they were getting them from Chile they wouldn't be able to breed them; the radiation kills their ability to breed, which is why Chile does it.

You should be able to find some info on the website on whether or not they import from Chile or if they breed them here. I don't buy butters so I don't have any links I could give you to a us breeding butterworm dealer. And if there is nothing on the page i'm sure you can just e mail the website and find out.

-Brandon

 

[lauraj1055]

I've never come across a butterworm breeder in the United States.. Most of the places that sell them, state right on them that they are imported from Chile. I've never had any ill side effects from feeding my beardies butterworms, and don't plan on stopping feeding them...

 

[Claudiusx]

Yeah, you are not going to have anything bad happen to your beardie if they are imported from Chile. But I'm pretty sure I remember seeing at least one site that said they breed their own.

I guess I will go search for it.

-Brandon

 

[lauraj1055]

Yeah, you are not going to have anything bad happen to your beardie if they are imported from Chile. But I'm pretty sure I remember seeing at least one site that said they breed their own.

I guess I will go search for it.

-Brandon

Yeah, let me know!

 

[NFM07]

Hmmm ok. If you find the USA breeder let me know otherwise I think butters might just be a random treat here and there since they are not cheap.

Laura, what site do you order yours from?

 

[lauraj1055]

Hmmm ok. If you find the USA breeder let me know otherwise I think butters might just be a random treat here and there since they are not cheap.

Laura, what site do you order yours from?

www.elliotsbutterworms.com Love them!!

 

[Claudiusx]

Sorry I can't find any US breeder. I must have been mistaken.

-Brandon

 

[NFM07]

They dont seem to have more then one size so should it be something that waits until the beardie is older?

 

[lauraj1055]

Depends on how old your beardie is and length. They are soft bodied so they don't cause impaction.. they just have to be big enough to chew them. The space betweent he eyes rule can be bent a little when it comes to soft bodied worms.

 

[NFM07]

Good to know. The price is pretty good and since they keep well its going to be something that we will be adding to our beardies diet. How many is a "treat" vs a meal?

 

[lauraj1055]

I think 5 would be a good treat...

 

[Sherri]

I think 5 would be a good treat...

Hi Laura
Do you feed them everyday?
Razz loved the butters I got for him. I only bought 50 to see if he liked them and he went through them quickly :mrgreen:

They are so high in calcium and low in fat and good protein that I am still trying to find out why it would be bad to feed more of them...I have to only guess that they must be lacking in iron and minerals etc. that most other worms have? I sure would like to know!

Now Razz is in love with superworms! ack! I don't want that! I only bought a few to see if he would eat some to put on weight when he was not eating anything......he hated them at first...now I don't know how on earth I am going to wean him off so he will eat his dubia again! *sigh*

Sherri