Which Should I Feed

[Ultrakd]

I was just curious about which is better Crickets or Mealworms. I know there are a lot of people whose use one or the other but I wanted to know which is best.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Almost everyone here uses Mealworms. There are some here that just use crickets. I use mealworms with some crickets every couple weeks.

 

[Ultrakd]

How come every one uses meal worms.

 

[mynewturtle]

I think you should use crickets. I personally use; supers, mealies, crickets.
Crickets are nutrionaly more healthy for the gecko. Mealworms, and other larvae cannot be 'gutloaded'. Since you will have a small amount of geckos I would use crickets.

 

[efx*]

I use mealworms. They are a lot easier to take care of and they have better nutrition.

 

[Ultrakd]

I guess I should just get Mealworms because they dont make noise. I would like to breed them so I dont have to keep on buying them> I was going to get crickets but my mom is a very light sleaper and even having them in the garage she would still hear them. Does anyone have a suggestion of where to buy them?

 

[mynewturtle]

I use mealworms. They are a lot easier to take care of and they have better nutrition.

Mealworms do not have better nutrition.

Nutrition Chart
Crickets Mealworms
Moisture, % 69.07% 62.44%
Fat, % 6.01% 12.72% 22.19%
Protein, % 21.32% 20.27%
Fiber, % 3.2% 1.73%
Ash, % 2.17% 1.57%
Ca, ppm 345 133 -
P, ppm 4238 3345
Ca/P Ratio % .081 .040

All mealworms have more of is FAT.

 

[Nigel4less]

Simple answer=Mealworms

 

[malt_geckos]

We feed mealies a supers. A few of our geckos get crickets. I feed crickets to the ones that go off feeding this time of year to stimulate their appetites. I'm going to start with roaches here soon.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Kaleb you can gutload pretty much any feeder. Also where did you get that Nutritional info? The figures are differant then what I have on a chat I have.

 

[mynewturtle]

Kaleb you can gutload pretty much any feeder. Also where did you get that Nutritional info? The figures are differant then what I have on a chat I have.

Talk to your local vet. Mealworms and superworms are both larvae for beetles. LARVAE CANNOT BE GUTLOADED. When I told my vet I feed gutloaded mealworms he explained it to me that mealworm are larvae for beetles therefore you cannot gutload them. Ive even read posts by Marcia "Mealworms can not be gutloaded the best you can do is keep them well fed"

Heres a quote from a thread that marcia posted on:
12-21-2007, 09:11 AM #12
Golden Gate Geckos
mean old gecko lady







Name: Marcia McGuiness
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Trader Rating: (66) 100%
Age: 53
Posts: 6,663

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although it really isn't possible to gut 'load' any larvae, they still need to be fed. I make my own gutload using 10-grain cereal from the bulk bins at the supermarket mixed with 10% Vionate, and feed them fresh sweet potatoes, carrots, and collard greens.

I go through about 12,000 mealworms a week, so I really don't know how long they last. I keep them in my laundry room at normal temperature becausue it seems like once they are refrigerated they become too lethargic and the geckos aren't that interested in them.
__________________
Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
GeckoForums.net Moderation Staff
"The beatings will continue until morale improves."

 

[johnnyboy4783]

Ratio chart that i have. kaleb chart is correct. the only real difference is calcium mealworms should be dusted with calcium due to their low amounts.

https://www.premiumcrickets.com/images/products/phoenix_nutrition_chart.gif

 

[Ccrashca069]

I use this chart
http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/thephoenixwormstore/Page?template=comparison
I am also posting the chart here so no one can say I changed any info on it with photoshop or anything.

 

[mynewturtle]

Canadianfeeders.com, All the ones I just checked (about 5) have all been difrent. I am still going with Johnny and myselfs chart. I do not think feeder companies would post incorrect information.
-my opinion.

 

[johnnyboy4783]

To me either or would be a perfect staple diet just with mealies may want to dust more for more calcium.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I got my chart from the Phoenix worm website. Its really pointless about the numbers because you still need to dust whatever you use.

 

[LizMarie]

mealworms in my opinion.

- Easy to care for.
- Easy to handle.
- NO ordor or noise.
- Can be chilled so you can buy bulk and have them last awhile.

Keep in mind their are pros and cons to every feeder out there, but you cant really go wrong with crickets and mealies as long as you keep them clean, feed and dusted.

 

[johnnyboy4783]

well said liz

 

[ReptileMan27]

Mealworms are the way to go for leos IMO..

 

[jmlslayer]

well i use both super's and millies but both are really the same thing sep fat content