Quick gutloading question.

[Sikmike]

I am about to buy some superworms, and I know the basic gutload techniques. My question is: would it be extra beneficial to mix a few tablespoons of 'Flukers High Calcium Cricket Diet' in with the organic/natural bran-oatmeal/veggies? On the container it says, provide to crickets or other insects prior to feeding. It seemed like a good idea, anyone add the commercial brands to their natural mix?

 

[leogecko88]

Go ahead and add it. I always add some Flukers hi cal diet to my special mealworm bedding.

 

[Tony C]

Be aware that a high calcium diet can cause rapid die-offs among feeder insects, they should be fed off within 48 hours of being provided the gutloading diet for best results, and access to water is critical during the 48 hour gutloading period.

 

[Dama682]

Adding onto what Tony C said, I read somewhere that a high calcium diet can be fatal to feeder insects. Personally, I think the amount of calcium that comes from dusting far outweighs the amount of calcium in the stomachs of the worms.

 

[Sikmike]

hmm okay interesting. I put a 1/5 ratio of calcium diet in my bedding, so if I start to see die offs I can always reduce or take off after the 48 hours like said. Okay thanks!

 

[Tony C]

The other thing to remember is that "gut loading" is not a substitute for dusting, only a supplement.

 

[jamncristian]

animals absorb nutrients better from gut-loading than dusting, I personally don't like most commercial gut load because of all the unnecessary fillers. I believe gut loading with whole grain oats and greens will provide the better nutrition for the animal

 

[Tony C]

animals absorb nutrients better from gut-loading than dusting, I personally don't like most commercial gut load because of all the unnecessary fillers. I believe gut loading with whole grain oats and greens will provide the better nutrition for the animal

That is dangerous misinformation. What you are doing is not gut loading, and it certainly isn't a substitute for dusting with an appropriate supplement. There is a great post on Dendroboard about the definition of gutloading, how to accomplish it, why it's effectiveness is limited, and why supplementation is still necessary. The post is by Ed Kowalski, who is the Lead Keeper in the Philadelphia Zoo's Herpetology Department and one of the most knowledgeable people regarding herp nutrition and disease.

 

[jamncristian]

That is dangerous misinformation. What you are doing is not gut loading, and it certainly isn't a substitute for dusting with an appropriate supplement. There is a great post on Dendroboard about the definition of gutloading, how to accomplish it, why it's effectiveness is limited, and why supplementation is still necessary. The post is by Ed Kowalski, who is the Lead Keeper in the Philadelphia Zoo's Herpetology Department and one of the most knowledgeable people regarding herp nutrition and disease.

i am not saying dusting is not necessary especially if you are feeding just crickets, meal worms, or super worms. I personally use a lot of feeders including terrestrial isopods, phoenix worms, earthworms (all three naturally high in calcium levels) and more so i don't rely on dusting a lot because of the variety

sorry if anybody took the info the wrong way i was just stating that dusting shouldn't be the only way to get nutrients into the body