Feeding supplements to feeders

[Andee]

So... this may be a question with no answer. But i do wonder if feeding things like repashy or a multivit supplement in small doses to feeder insects is safe or even changes things? It hasn't impacted my colonies over the years I have done it but they get maybe 1/8 of a teaspoon every week or two spread through out the whole colony in the dry chow i make. Which only makes up about 5-8% of their diet, the rest is the usual veggies from the store or the garden.

I still dust my feeders (i don't expect it to ever replace that. But I am always looking for ways to make healthier feeders for the reptiles)

 

[MissSkittles]

I think it’s something that I would avoid doing, just to play it safe. There have been times when keepers come with a health problem with their chams (often hinting at gout or kidney issue), but the only thing about their husbandry that could be responsible is feeding high protein diets or something else different to their feeders. If you have your colonies separated by the adult breeders and the nymph feeders, then you could give more to the adult breeders to keep them a bit healthier. I’m much more liberal with my breeders diets, but only after I’ve sorted thru and removed the nymphs.
You could use something like Repashy Bug Burger, Mazuri or one of the other quality commercial bug foods to supplement the fresh produce you give your bugs. I’ve always added a tiny pinch of bee pollen when making Bug Burger. Used to also add a tiny pinch of spirulina, but I ran out and keep forgetting to get more.

 

[Andee]

There are some research articles Kinyonga found for me that I need to go over (when I'm not in the last week of packing). If I learn anything I will let you know. But if no information presents itself solidly I will follow your advice <3. I make my own dry chow/gutload(well I will be doing so again once I have everything unpacked at the other house) so adjustments are easy. But like I said it doesn't make up much of their diet. Every large colony gets 1/8 of a cup every day or two and the smaller or slow eaters get like a couple tablespoons. Most of my diet is winter and summer squash, a huge variety of dark leafy greens, about 8 different types of fruit, and other root veggies. Probably about 20 different fresh things available overall

 

[jamest0o0]

I think it’s something that I would avoid doing, just to play it safe. There have been times when keepers come with a health problem with their chams (often hinting at gout or kidney issue), but the only thing about their husbandry that could be responsible is feeding high protein diets or something else different to their feeders. If you have your colonies separated by the adult breeders and the nymph feeders, then you could give more to the adult breeders to keep them a bit healthier. I’m much more liberal with my breeders diets, but only after I’ve sorted thru and removed the nymphs.
You could use something like Repashy Bug Burger, Mazuri or one of the other quality commercial bug foods to supplement the fresh produce you give your bugs. I’ve always added a tiny pinch of bee pollen when making Bug Burger. Used to also add a tiny pinch of spirulina, but I ran out and keep forgetting to get more.

There are so many variables. It could very easily be the health of that individual chameleon, maybe they just didn’t tolerate something or were predisposed. I honestly don’t think perfect husbandry, but a higher protein diet of feeders would have that sort of impact. This change from misting to fogging seems to have brought on health issues i don’t remember seeing as much of. Just an anecdote, but I could say I always fed my chameleons densely nutritious feeders, supplements, probably too much protein, etc and never had an issue. They’ve all lived long lives to my knowledge. I misted heavy though… I’m a believer in the watering !

Also bee pollen is linked to kidney issues in certain amounts, so people smothering every feeder with it could be causing problems.