Gut Loading Meat

[Graffy]

I was preparing some veggies to gut load some crickets for the chams, and I decided to toss in a piece of organic pasture raised beef hot dog. The crickets are going to town on it. Has anyone else tried gut loading meat and could it be a way to increase nutritional value in crickets?

 

[MissSkittles]

One of the big risks associated with giving our feeders meat (also including giving them cat or dog food) is the high protein is passed on to our chameleons and greatly increases their risks for gout. Maybe in a pinch if you had absolutely nothing else, but best to stick with fresh organic produce.

 

[nightanole]

Dont feed your feeders high protein fish flakes etc. This includes "meat". Even if said feeders dont store the excess as uric acid, they will be higher in non insect/veggie protein. Cham kidneys will only take so many pinkies per week before they start getting iffy, as an example.

Though it would be interesting to see the color of the cricket poop

 

[jamest0o0]

I’d agree ^, the stress on the kidneys from excess protein could be an issue.

 

[insectovore]

Nope, I only use fruits/vegetables, rodent chow (crushed). For isopods I've been giving them some bug burger, too, and I put the mealworms in a cup with superload 2-3 days before I feed them.