Feeding Habits

[LokiTheGecko]

So I'm trying to figure out how much I should feed my new leopard gecko. He's pretty young (Not sure exactly how old, but under a year for sure.), and I want to hear what your pattern is for feeding your leo(s).

 

[SC Geckos]

What are you feeding it? (crickets, mealies .....)
If it is the gecko in your avatar pic I would say between 5 and 10 appropriate sized feeders. Im sure you will get multiple opinions (this is just mine)
Let the gecko determine how many. When your feeding drop one prey item in at a time and what him eat it. Continue to do this for about 5 - 10 or until he doesn't want anymore. Then if you feed mealworms for instance you can just put that amount in his food bowl and monitor his weight (with a scale)

 

[LokiTheGecko]

I'm feeding mealworms, should've mentioned that earlier sorry. I put ten in his dish two nights ago and the next day, there were four. So I'm thinking six-seven per meal?

 

[dlefik2008]

Keep it simple, just my opinion. Depending on the bowl size you're using, just throw enough mealies in there to cover the bottom of the bowl, and let them decide when they need to eat. Takes the hassle out of racking your brain trying to figure if they are eating enough or too much. Some might disagree, but I've used that method for 2 years now and have no issues with under or overweight leos.

Once they have established the bowl as their eating spot and know their limits, they'll come and go as they need to. Just keep your bowl sifted and cleaned out and maybe a little carrot and bran in it to keep them gut loaded during the time the geckos not eating.

I suppose it would also depend on your mealworm stock too. I bulk breed my own so I don't even bother counting them out to be honest lol. Just grab the best looking ones, cover the bowl bottom and keep it filled every day if needed. Hope this helps, if this topic is still being checked.

 

[SC Geckos]

Keep it simple, just my opinion. Depending on the bowl size you're using, just throw enough mealies in there to cover the bottom of the bowl, and let them decide when they need to eat. Takes the hassle out of racking your brain trying to figure if they are eating enough or too much. Some might disagree, but I've used that method for 2 years now and have no issues with under or overweight leos.

Once they have established the bowl as their eating spot and know their limits, they'll come and go as they need to. Just keep your bowl sifted and cleaned out and maybe a little carrot and bran in it to keep them gut loaded during the time the geckos not eating.

I suppose it would also depend on your mealworm stock too. I bulk breed my own so I don't even bother counting them out to be honest lol. Just grab the best looking ones, cover the bowl bottom and keep it filled every day if needed. Hope this helps, if this topic is still being checked.

As I said there are many different opinions. That works also unless you are trying to make sure a gecko is in fact eating. May sound odd to some but for my young geckos or a problem feeder I will count out a certain amount of mealies and put them in the bowl. I then write how many and the date on the tub so when I check on them after a day or two I will know if he/she has eaten and how much.

 

[dlefik2008]

Oh, I'm sorry brad. I didn't mean to come off as my way is the right way, or you were wrong. I was just kind of chiming in and giving my experience on feeding because I just personally like to make things simple for myself, especially when you have multiple mouths to feed. You're way definitely makes sense too, to help keep better track of a problematic feeder, and know exactly how much it's eating. Great idea. I just got a little ahead of myself because I've never had to actually count the feeders for any specific problem, and I do apologize if my comment was unhelpful.

 

[LokiTheGecko]

Thanks guys you both were really helpful!