Feeding Pinky Mice

[Pinky81]

So after Bonnie laid her eggs I re weighed her and she was down about 10grams. I started looking into different feeders to help get some weight back on her. One of my friends mentioned pinky mice...I didn't think Gecko's ate mice. So I youtubed it and sure enough I saw videos' of geckos eating pinky's. And looking like they were REALLY enjoying them.

So what are peoples thoughts on this? Bonnie is eatting like a champ right now (ate 10 crickets tonight alone!!! ) and Clyde is topping the scales at 75grams right now so I surely don't need to put weight on him. But are pinky mice a decent way to put weight on a gecko?

ps Im pretty sure I will never have the stomach to feed a live pinky to my guys!

Opinions?

 

[Taquiq]

You can feed pinkys to a gecko but they are high in fat and not the healthiest option for a breeding female. I would just go with what you are doing, feed a lot because in a couple of weeks she will go back off eating. Make sure to dust feeders and don't overfeed and remember, it is natural for leopard geckos to lose weight during breeding.

 

[LeopardShade]

I agree. While they definitely would help her get her weight back up, they aren't very nutritious (high in fat and cholesterol). A little extra food at each feeding can help.

 

[Pinky81]

Wow thanks guys...I had no clue Leo's could eat pinky's!! And interestingly they are supper nutritious! I dust her crickets with Repashy Superfoods Vitamins. And she frequently licks up her calcium dust in her dish!! She's eatting really well for me right now so I basically offer her as many crickets as she wants daily! Her tail is back to her former glory so I am very happy with the progress.

She already has two new eggs developing so I am really gutloading her crickets well so she gets the most out of them. Because like you said she's gonna stop eating again soon!

I have not candled the eggs yet Im gonna let them be and wait till maybe 1.5weeks!

Thanks again for the opinions Keep them coming love to hear what others think as well!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

A good healthy steady diet is the way to go. So if she's chowing down on her regular foods, give her all she wants while she's in an eating mode. Females often go off food at different times during breeding. If you slip her a pinky every now and then during this time, it won't hurt her, and may stimulate her appetite a bit. This sounds gross but, fresh pinkies have very soft bones, fresh as in just born. I would do that before offering waxworms.

She sure is a pretty girl

 

[Pinky81]

Laney From watching the youtube video's I can tell you I won't be able to feed her a live pinky...they scream while their being eatten!!!! YIKES!

and Laney I can't wait to see Bonnie's babies!!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Yes they do squeal, guess I'm just used to it from having snakes. We breed feeders. Last time I tried to offer pinkies to a few girls right after they laid, they were scared of them, so I don't bother anymore. Their regular diet keeps everything in check.

It's exciting when the eggs hatch but the wait is torture!! Good luck with the whole patience thing

 

[Pinky81]

Yes they do squeal, guess I'm just used to it from having snakes. We breed feeders. Last time I tried to offer pinkies to a few girls right after they laid, they were scared of them, so I don't bother anymore. Their regular diet keeps everything in check.

It's exciting when the eggs hatch but the wait is torture!! Good luck with the whole patience thing

Yeah so i don't know what the meaning of patience is!! Im dying here!! but Ive been good I have not touched the eggs. Not even sure Im going to candle! Im soooo excited!!!

I think I would cry :bigcry: listening to that! I had snakes growing up but they were garter snakes they eat worms and fish!!!

So I just had a scare out power went out this AM...everyone in my building was freaking out cause its the Packer Superbowl day..Im freaking out cause my Eggs were getting cold!!!!! I boiled a couple of blue Ice packs and put them around my container...power is back on now!! LOL

 

[fl_orchidslave]

LOL! You have the disease..... Pacingthefloorwaitingforeggstohatchitis.

 

[Pinky81]

LOL! You have the disease..... Pacingthefloorwaitingforeggstohatchitis.

LOL Love this!!!! Glad the power came back on I was contemplating putting the eggs under my shirt to stay warm!!! hahahaha