What do you feed your dubias?

[jinzilla]

Besides the roach chow and water crystals (and oranges), what do you feed your dubias re: fresh foods?

I've been using alot of oranges (especially gutloading before feeding) and wanted to make sure too much orange isn't bad...I've read on other sites that feeding oranges is bad to beardies so wouldn't gutloading with oranges be somewhat the same?

 

[unkempt1]

Besides the roach chow and water crystals (and oranges), what do you feed your dubias re: fresh foods?

My initially response is EVERYTHING. :twisted: But then a better response is, it depends!

You should keep two bins, a breeder bin and feeder bin. Breeders can get roach chow, and really most fruits and veggies that are convenient to you. Water crystals should be in there for hydration and humidity. Your feeder bin, usually nymphs but it really depends on the size of your dragon, should be offered only stuff that is good for your dragon for at least 24 hours prior to "serving." :lol: I include collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens, with very rare fruit like apples and mango. I do NOT use stuff like oranges, and those fruits are not only rare but given in very tiny quantities, usually when I just have small extras. Then you don't have to worry about your dragon's health from gut-loading the wrong stuff. You have a lot more control with two bins!

My breeders love mangos and oranges the most, it seems, in that order. I also give them carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, the greens mentioned above, bananas, and apples, mainly because those are the fruits and veggies me and me wife use the most. I also make my own roach chow and ensure water crystals are available 24/7. Last but not least, I make sure my male to female ratio is always at least 1:5, so as to prevent gladiator combat.

 

[Durke]

Regarding fresh foods, I always feed them baby carrots, oranges, and one other fruit/veggie that I have available. For the third fruit/veggie, I like to give them butternut squash if the store has it in stock, because they seem to love it the most.

Other things I've tried that they like: lettuce (not nutritious, but good for hydration), apples, cantaloupe
Things that they didn't like that much: spaghetti squash

However, colonies can have different tastes. It's kinda strange.

 

[jodyberry]

After a few years of a roach colony my dubia breeding started slowing down. Plus it was a pain trying to figure the perfect diet. Then a local reptile shop recommended bug burger. Man this stuff is excellent and it has really helped breeding. Plus it also hydrates as well so I don't have to worry about water crystals etc.

 

[czuber]

I just put in a tub of good dog food. and throw in a salad every once in while. Lettuce ,green, veggies. I try to give them a couple oranges every week. Cant wait for melons to come in season I hear they lover watermelon rinds and Cantelope.

 

[Erok000]

I've been using alot of oranges (especially gutloading before feeding) and wanted to make sure too much orange isn't bad...I've read on other sites that feeding oranges is bad to beardies so wouldn't gutloading with oranges be somewhat the same?

From what Ive read and do oranges are not good for gutloading, Fine for the colony but I dont give oranges to my feeder bin. Just chow and left over beardie salad to gutload.