Feeding in a separate enclosure - how to?

[CaliforniaPlaya]

After feeding my new leos a couple of times, I see a need to feed them in a separate enclosure. I saw it talked about on here, but wasn't sure why, but as soon as I started feeding them in their tank, it was one of those ah hah moments, but now I'm wondering whats the best way. I've got 3 females, they're about 2 1/2 years old, they get along fine and have been in the same tank together their entire lives.

I was considering getting a 10 gallon tank to use as a feeding tank. But if I do this, should they be fed one at a time, or all at once? I realize 10 is a bit small for three of them. If they get along ok now, might they start to fight at feeding time, over food, or if they are in such a small enclosure together?

Thanks!!!

 

[CaliforniaPlaya]

I didn't get any responses here, so I thought I'd try it on my own. Went and got a 2.5 gallon tank, figured it was big enough to feed one at a time. Some posts on here suggest that some leos get weird or start biting or fighting at feeding time, so I figured I'd feed one at a time, as opposed to all three at once. Got some crickets, dusted them, put them in the tank, then put a leo in the tank. Leo was so overwhelmed with getting out that it didn't even try eating, even though its been a couple of days since she ate.

Thought maybe it was just that one, so I put her back in her home and tried it with another one. Same thing, just wanted to get out and didn't care about eating. Didn't even attempt it with the third one. Just took the dusted crickets and dumped them in their home enclosure.

So, for those here that feed in a separate enclosure, what am I doing wrong? From what I know, their previous owner fed them in their home enclosure, so they are not used to being moved to eat. Does this just indicate that they're not hungry or ready to eat or was moving to a different and smaller enclosure so overwhelming that they weren't concerned with eating?

I prefer to feed them separately as I've found that crickets or worms tend to get all over and hide and of course drown. I can just imagine that some of them that are getting away are dying since theres no feeder food in there. And I prefer not to leave crickets in there for too long as I don't want my leos being bitten, even though I've seen no sign of that happening yet.

 

[Thorgecko707]

Is the feeding tank heated? Is there a hide in it? Is it dark when you are feeding? I use black lights so I can still see. Heat helps them digest food and a hide would give comfort. Similar to someone pulling you out of your house and putting you in an empty room with a cheese burger. I'd be too scared to eat. I'd want out too. Put one of their objects in it to transfer scent so it's not too new.

 

[CaliforniaPlaya]

Is the feeding tank heated? Is there a hide in it? Is it dark when you are feeding? I use black lights so I can still see. Heat helps them digest food and a hide would give comfort. Similar to someone pulling you out of your house and putting you in an empty room with a cheese burger. I'd be too scared to eat. I'd want out too. Put one of their objects in it to transfer scent so it's not too new.

Nope nothing in it, perhaps thats the issue. I was trying to keep it simple, just them and the food. Obviously I need to work with this some more. Thanks for the tips!

 

[houseb]

I just started putting my gecko into a separate tub to feed her. I first put her in there without any crickets and let her wander around (it's a 10 gal rubbermaid tote with a heat pad underneath, no hides). Once she got used to the tub, i put crickets in. She's still not that keen on feeding in there, but it beats trying to fish out loose crickets in her tank. I only put in a few crickets at a time so they don't bug her out. Not sure what other people are doing, so any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Jenn_tigercat]

I feed all of my critters in separate containers. It allows me to clean tubs and tanks easier. For my geckos I just put them into a large critter keeper and drop their food in. Usually by time I am done cleaning their tanks they are done eating. Then I just gently pick them up and put them back into their tanks.

 

[CaliforniaPlaya]

I feed all of my critters in separate containers. It allows me to clean tubs and tanks easier. For my geckos I just put them into a large critter keeper and drop their food in. Usually by time I am done cleaning their tanks they are done eating. Then I just gently pick them up and put them back into their tanks.

Did it take them a while to get used to feeding in a separate container or have you been doing this their entire life? Besides me being new to leos, I think part of the issue is that they are a couple of years old and have always been fed in their home enclosure. Obviously trying to change this now is going to take a bit of work, but I think (hope) it can be done. I also like Janet's suggestion of slowly introducing them to the new container as opposed to doing it all at once and expecting them to eat the first time in there. Just gotta keep trying.....

 

[Jenn_tigercat]

Did it take them a while to get used to feeding in a separate container or have you been doing this their entire life? Besides me being new to leos, I think part of the issue is that they are a couple of years old and have always been fed in their home enclosure. Obviously trying to change this now is going to take a bit of work, but I think (hope) it can be done. I also like Janet's suggestion of slowly introducing them to the new container as opposed to doing it all at once and expecting them to eat the first time in there. Just gotta keep trying.....

My adult female yes because she was a rescue and had only been freeze dried food. What I have done for her is put her in the container then wiggle the food in front of her a little bit so that it catches her attention then just drop it in the tub. She immediately goes for it. I am working with her to get her so that I can just drop the food in and she will go for it on her own without me having to show her each piece but it is a process. My babies have always been fed separately so they are used to it.

 

[CaliforniaPlaya]

My adult female yes because she was a rescue and had only been freeze dried food. What I have done for her is put her in the container then wiggle the food in front of her a little bit so that it catches her attention then just drop it in the tub. She immediately goes for it. I am working with her to get her so that I can just drop the food in and she will go for it on her own without me having to show her each piece but it is a process. My babies have always been fed separately so they are used to it.

Thanks Jenn. Think thats what I may need to do, slowly introduce them to it. Get them comfortable with it before just expecting to be put them in there and have them eat right away.