Paprika as color enhancing supplement?

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Another thing that comes to mind when thinking of deformities of any kind is incubation temperatures. Do you see a correlation between high temps and these problems... Do you see it more when you try to make males?

Nope. Completely random...

 

[Allen Repashy]

Thanks for the kind words Debbie,

BTW, Eye deformities in leopard geckos are more likely a result of over supplementation of calcium than lack of any vitamin. Calcium in excess of 2-3% of total diet on a Dry Matter Basis acts as a strong binder, which inhibits the absorption of nutrients, particularly the fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A.

Allen

I need to clarify this statement a bit. I was assuming here that a supplement with Preformed Vitamin A is being used when making this statement.

And in my reply to Debbie, I was referring to eye deformities, not eyelid deformities. I didn't correctly read Debbie's statement.

 

[eyelids]

I recently hatched out my first eye deformity (one small eye) and I guarantee it was not supplement or temperature related... The egg was found late (female hadn't laid for two months), was extremely dehydrated and had deep indents on both sides... I didn't have much hope for the egg, but incubated it just in case... I put a droplet of water on it and used a 0.85 ratio of water to perlite as opposed to 0.8... A week later the egg had swelled back up, but had started to grow white mold on one side... Wiped the mold off weekly and low and behold a baby pops out in 41 days...

At least in this case I believe the deformity was related to dehydration in the early stages of embryo development...

For the sake of staying on topic, I feed my feeders lots of carrots and my geckos remain vibrant as adults... I use Rep-Cal products for supplements...

 

[leopardgeckolover]

Has anyone here used paprika as a color enhancing supplement? I know some that some poison dart frog breeders use paprika to enhance the reds/yellows/ oranges of their frogs. I just bought a bag of paprika and i'm thinking of dusting my crickets with it. Is this a good idea for our leopard geckos?

paprika is hot.. it might burn the skin/hurt your leos..

 

[daniellebluetoo]

I am a nutrition NUT

and am constantly reading up and would just like to thank every one who contributed to this thread!

GREAT READS GUYS!


p.s. Allen I find when I use your calci product that in tends to get moldy quick in my baby tubs, of course they have more moist area than adults, and I keep the calci dishes at the dry end.... any suggestions?


p.s.s my turk feeder roaches LOVE the calci supplement, any loose ones in my tubs go straight for it!


Thanks again guys!

 

[Allen Repashy]

Hi Danielle,

Well, that is the first time someone has given me that feedback on the ICB. You must really have a lot of humidity in your boxes...

I actually just changed my Crested Gecko Diet formula a few weeks ago based on similar feedback from a distributor. The diet is mixed with water and fed as a mash, so with the high sugar content, was a great medium for growing mold. I have added .2% Potassium Sorbate as a mold inhibitor and now it takes about three days to show any signs of mold vs. 12 hours previously in a humid environment. I might have to think about adding this to the ICB if this is an issue...

Sorry we have got so off topic with this thread....

Allen

 

[daniellebluetoo]

WoW!

Allen, Really I'm the first?

Wooo Hoooooooo!...lol....

Ok, I happen to have crested's as well and also use your CGD, I thought it was normal for it to get funky! I mean, it's a product MADE from fruit, fruit IS going to spoil quickly.

I wouldn't say that my humidity is high, I don't have condensation or anything like that in my tubs, thats pretty contained to the humid hides.
I only use 41 qt storage tubs 34.75" x 16.5" x 6" , the heat and moist hides at one end, and the food water and supps at the other, but I don't keep the calci next to the water to prevent accidental spillage or what not.
Not all tubs develop moldy calci, but the babies do more frequently. I do believe this is due to the high sugar content, as it's a humectant.

I like it, it won't stop me from using it, it sticks well to feeders and my geckos go straight to the dishes to lick it.

Maybe using a different sweetener in it? Stevia comes to mind.

If it's feed back you want, all you have to do is ask, take a poll, not sure if you'd be able to do that here, but i'm sure there are ways to get it done:main_thumbsup:


I'll bring this thread back online...........

I don't think paprika is a wise thing to feed our geckos, I don't think the nutritional aspects of it have been evaluated for out herps.

BUT here's a thought, what about a product we feed to the FEEDERS, I think my roaches would eat damn near anything!

 

[Allen Repashy]

Danielle,

As far as sugars go, I was referring to the sugars (as provided by dried honey) in the Crested Gecko Diet. The ICB Calcium Plus only contains a small amount of honey (5%) and a little flavor as an attractant.... But it does also have a little fat, some protein.... which could give mold something to snack on compared to a calcium only powder.....

I will go ahead and make the change in the ICB because there is no reason not to do it. The inclusion ration of Potassium is only .2%... (.002), so it won't effect anything but mold. I will be shipping new product to my distributors before the end of the year, so you might notice a change sooner than later. Allen