Cricket feeders?

[trdlabs]

What does everybody use for a cricket feeder inside there cages? I use a solo cup but there as to be something better. They still crawl out of it, plus it is kind of ugly looking. If you have pics of your feeders, I would like to see them. Thanks

 

[Chase]

You mean cup feeding inside the cage? Or do you mean what do we feed the crickets?

 

[trdlabs]

You mean cup feeding inside the cage? Or do you mean what do we feed the crickets?

NO, cup in the cage. OK, what do you feed your crickets?

 

[Redeye]

I free range crickets in the cage, and occasionally in the house on accident (sorry wifey)
oranges, grain gutload mix, water crystals

 

[pssh]

I use a half gallon milk carton. Search milk carton feeder on the forum for a tutorial.
I gutload with a dry gutload (many members make them,) and leafy greens like kale collard greens, escarole, romain lettuce, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and parsley. I also use other veggies like squash, sweet potatoes, and corrots (or whatever else I can get the crickets to eat that has a higher calcium level than phos.) I personally don't like to use fruits very much (maybe once a month) but people like to use apples, oranges, blue/strawberries, papaya(highest calcium to phos ratio I can find in a fruit, followed by oranges) and bananas.

 

[Oski]

They seem to love them dandelion greens, i cant belive how quick they eat them.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I use one or two small cups in each cage (similar to short coffee mugs), Or if those are in the dishwasher I use large ceramic bowls. Make the cup deep enough, and the crickets wont jump out. A lot of people use that previously mentioned cut milk container with great success.
What I feed the crickets: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

 

[draetish]

I use this type feeder bowl, I don't free range. I bought it at Hobby Lobby for $5.00. The bowl is about 3" high however it bubbles out and up. The crickets try as they might to climb it but can't.

 

[Josh167]

When talking about using cricket feeders (like the milk carton one) do you have to remove the hopping legs first for it to work? or are they just to dumb to figure it out?!
Good idea with the glass bowl, although i imagine you have to watch for it filling with water? and your cham looks easy big enough to stroll out if he needed to

 

[pssh]

The crickets settle pretty fast and dont try to jump out. Once in a blue moon you find an escape but the cham usually gets it soon.

I want to add that I think you should try to free range when possible and only use the milk carton when you dont have time to supervise or collect crickets/roaches/other feeders at night.

 

[Josh167]

Definatly . I dont have mine yet but i'll be getting a baby, so i'm going to make a feeder cup just in case (it could be good to monitor how many hes eating). But i would much prefer him to catch them free reange, so the cup will as you said, only used sparingly.
I just wanted to ask quickly about gutloading too, i've read a lot about the different mixes people make with fruit etc. but i just wanted to ask about commercial gutloads. Either dry or gel. What do you think? would these be suitable?

 

[pssh]

Dry is okay in addition to a wet gutload consisting of lots of veggies and fruits, however, there are many members on here who make a fantastic dry gutload and sell it for very cheap. It's way better than most commercially bought dry gutload.

As for the water gell crystal thingies, you can buy those for cheaper online too. I use a lid with a cotton ball or make up pad in it for water though. Never see the bugs drink from them though, I think it's because they get plenty of water from all the veggies and fruits.

 

[Josh167]

Cool sounds good. What do you think about gutloading purly on commercial gutloads then? (i know it can't be the best but am just asking just in case)

 

[sandrachameleon]

Cool sounds good. What do you think about gutloading purly on commercial gutloads then? (i know it can't be the best but am just asking just in case)

in my opinion, you are better off making your own gutloads. It is very very easy, less expensive and you know exactly what you are feeding your feeders, and thus your chameleon.

The "wet" portion of the gutload, which should be your principle gutload, can frequently includes things like (switch it up with a different couple of items every other week): dandelion leaves, squash, carrot, yam, orange, collard greens, papaya, alfalfa sprouts, mustard greens, pomegranet, kale, romaine, hibiscus leaves, fresh spearmint leaves, cowpeas (blackeyes), apple, peas, blueberries, raspberries, sunflower sprouts, ... (avoid broccoli cabbage and spinach). Fruits and veggies such as these are important both for the nutrients they give (via the insect) to your chameleon, and also because well hydrated prey results in a better hydrated chameleon.

The dry portion (the lesser portion) of a gutload can include (blend/grind fine with a coffee grinder or food processor): spirulina; dried seaweed/kelp/dulse; bee pollen; dried alfalfa; organic raw sunflower seeds; unhulled sesame seeds; hemp seed; dehydrated cranberry powder; beet powder; zucchini powder; kale powder; fig powder; ground almonds; ground brazil nuts; oak leaves; small amounts of quality whole grain cereal (like Kashi or Total); small amounts of oats; small amounts of cracked rye; wheat germ; quinoa; very very very small amounts of skim milk powder; very very very small amounts of powdered egg; high quality monkey chow (read the ingredients); small amounts of avian pellets (read the ingredients, be cautious of too much Vitamin A). Avoid dog food, cat food, fish flake food and other major sources of animal protien and fat, and big sources of preformed vitamin A.

 

[draetish]

When talking about using cricket feeders (like the milk carton one) do you have to remove the hopping legs first for it to work? or are they just to dumb to figure it out?!
Good idea with the glass bowl, although i imagine you have to watch for it filling with water? and your cham looks easy big enough to stroll out if he needed to

You don't put it next to the dripper because you don't want the crickets to drown. So there isn't a problem with it filling with water.

 

[skully23]

You don't put it next to the dripper because you don't want the crickets to drown. So there isn't a problem with it filling with water.

Probably the concern of misting.
But I just use a small 2inch tall container and hold it up to Charlie. Its alot easier than leaving them at the bottom of the cage and trying to remove it when you need to mist.

 

[skully23]

Dry is okay in addition to a wet gutload consisting of lots of veggies and fruits, however, there are many members on here who make a fantastic dry gutload and sell it for very cheap. It's way better than most commercially bought dry gutload.

As for the water gell crystal thingies, you can buy those for cheaper online too. I use a lid with a cotton ball or make up pad in it for water though. Never see the bugs drink from them though, I think it's because they get plenty of water from all the veggies and fruits.

Wow never thought of that. I should try the cotton ball thing.
I bought a set of those aqua pillows, they stay full for quite awhile.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I agree i think free range cage feeding is the way. I tried hand feeding also it helps make the cham assoc you with their food supply.

 

[tkilgour]

I would take Psssh and Sandras advice on how to gutload. I use all these ingredients they suggested and they work very well. As for cup feeding, I only cup feed B. dubia and lateralis because I dont want to risk escapees. Everything else I'll just free range.