Feeding really small hatchlings

[Olimpia]

I have two crestie hatchlings just about a month and a half old (I still can't believe how little they are!) and I just want to double check the cricket size I'm giving them is fine. I believe my crickets are 3/8 - should I order a much smaller size, like 1/8?

 

[Chewbecca]

Yes, I'd go with 1/8" size.
3/8", I would think, would be too big.

 

[Olimpia]

Alright, thanks!

 

[Mel&Keith]

It depends on how big the 3/8 crickets are. Sometimes they're on the small side and are fine but if they're 3/8 crickets that have been sitting around growing for a week then they'll probably be too big. We just feed all of our Cresteds under 3 months old CGD only.

Oh, and you should see how tiny they are when they hatch. Those have almost doubled in size already! LOL

 

[Olimpia]

It depends on how big the 3/8 crickets are. Sometimes they're on the small side and are fine but if they're 3/8 crickets that have been sitting around growing for a week then they'll probably be too big. We just feed all of our Cresteds under 3 months old CGD only.

Oh, and you should see how tiny they are when they hatch. Those have almost doubled in size already! LOL

Oh, well if you have them on CGD only I won't bother with insects then. I was leaving a mix of both in the tank for them just so they had more options, but I can take the insects out for now. How are they used to eating the CGD?

 

[Mel&Keith]

Just regular CGD mixed with water in a plastic lid. Sometimes we add a little of the Repashy banana or peach powders. We don't mix in baby food or anything.

 

[acpart]

I am feeding my 4-6 week old banded geckos (who are born about the length of a US quarter diameter) 1/4" crickets with no problem and they're smaller and narrower than a crestie. I think it will be fine with the 3/8" and they're easier to see as well.

Aliza

 

[Olimpia]

Alright thanks!

 

[jblayza]

I do the same as Mel&Keith and wait till about 3-3 1/2 mnths to offer crickets. They will do fine on CGD alone and try not to use baby food; it doesn't contain all the nutrients a crestie requires and it is hard to know exactly how much supplements to add. It is also hard to switch them back to CGD once they start on the baby food. When I feed my hatchlings for the firs time I dab a little CGD on their nose so they can lick it off and get the taste of the CGD. I have also been successful doing this to convert cresties I've purchased back to CGD.


-Jaime