Gutloading Schedule?

[LizardLurkin]

So, you have to feed your reptiles every other day, but the insects can take 48 to 72 hours in order to reach the optimal gutload. How do you manage to gutload your roaches, if that's your staple bug, but also keep your guy feed every other day? Do you have shorter gutload length insects on a backburner, gutloading for 24 hours, while prepping your roaches at the same time for the next meal? Am I overthinking this?

 

[LizardLurkin]

I'm thinking, bear with me.
So. The first day you get your bugs, say that's a feeding day...Do you just feed them the bug (dusted with supplements of course), or do you hastily feed the bugs something nutritious and then feed them to your lizard?

Should you gutload the bugs even though they don't have time to digest the food before feeding them off? Is it beneficial nutrition regardless?

 

[Gloriawood]

I'm thinking, bear with me.
So. The first day you get your bugs, say that's a feeding day...Do you just feed them the bug (dusted with supplements of course), or do you hastily feed the bugs something nutritious and then feed them to your lizard?

Should you gutload the bugs even though they don't have time to digest the food before feeding them off? Is it beneficial nutrition regardless?

Some bugs come gutloaded I believe. Depends where you order from. But don’t quote me on that. I make gutload ‘cubes’ and freeze them. I make a big batch and just feed my bugs on the days I don’t feed my Cham.

 

[MissSkittles]

I don’t bother with gutloading by the definition. Instead, I just keep my insects well fed at all times. I also have bearded dragons, so every day when I’m making their little salads, I’ll put aside some extra for the bugs. Then I make the rounds of my bug bins and give them fresh food and remove the old. Depending on the bug, I’ll periodically clean the bins. The crickets are filthy little beasts and need to be kept clean as the gases and what not from their own waste kills them. My cricket bins also have lots of ventilation.

 

[Sticktongue]

I think we often confuse gut load with general healthy feeding.

IMO, we should be feeding our bugs a lot of good foods everyday.

Gut load through to me is, literally that. Loading their gut full of something in particular that we’re wanting to make sure makes it into the Chameleon. If you’re waiting for it to be digested, it’s not getting the same effect as feeding the bugs the gutload like and hour or so before feeding them off.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s how I think of it.

 

[Beman]

I have attached the gutload image for you. Essentially though it just comes down to feeding the insects a healthy diet all the time. If you feed them the right stuff then they are always ready to be fed off.

 

[LizardLurkin]

Thank you for all the advice! Okay, so just keeping the buggies on a healthy and mutually beneficial diet sounds like the way to go. I was going to employ the gutload ice cube tactic too, since I have a food processor that sees no other usage.

I'll see about ordering pre-gutloaded critters at the very least, so they're healthy to serve as soon as they arrive.

 

[Sticktongue]

Thank you for all the advice! Okay, so just keeping the buggies on a healthy and mutually beneficial diet sounds like the way to go. I was going to employ the gutload ice cube tactic too, since I have a food processor that sees no other usage.

I'll see about ordering pre-gutloaded critters at the very least, so they're healthy to serve as soon as they arrive.

Food processor works great for that, I do that most of the time. Easy to make a huge batch and not worry about it.

Don’t worry about finding pre gut loaded bugs.. if you feed them off the day you get them but they don’t have food in them, it’s not that big of a deal. 1 feeding isn’t going to make a big difference just find a good supplier that works for your budget and good customer service.

 

[insectovore]

I have little cups I move the mealworms into 48-72 hours before I feed them (those cups have superload in them and a tiny piece of vegetable). The roaches/crickets go into a critter keeper for 48-72 hours. I feed them vegetables, superload. The other stuff doesn't have a special gutload and randomly use silkworms, waxworms, spikes, earthworms and whiteworms(salamanders), fruit flies, etc. If you're feeding every other day it doesn't require too much thought. I know about how much food my lizards and salamanders will go through.

 

[Jeevesieb]

Thank you for all the advice! Okay, so just keeping the buggies on a healthy and mutually beneficial diet sounds like the way to go. I was going to employ the gutload ice cube tactic too, since I have a food processor that sees no other usage.

I'll see about ordering pre-gutloaded critters at the very least, so they're healthy to serve as soon as they arrive.

I ended up finding a little candy mold (ironically it's heart shapes) at a craft store and I freeze my gutload in the candy mold, then transfer the frozen hearts to a freezer safe container. That way can thaw small or large amounts as needed so I don't waste any. All the buggy love. Haha.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I ended up finding a little candy mold (ironically it's heart shapes) at a craft store and I freeze my gutload in the candy mold, then transfer the frozen hearts to a freezer safe container. That way can thaw small or large amounts as needed so I don't waste any. All the buggy love. Haha.

Heartshapes, that's so cute!

I imagine you must get super used to bugs in general, huh? Thanks for all the advice, and I'm glad I don't have to stress about the bugs being eaten on the day of their arrival.

 

[Jeevesieb]

Heartshapes, that's so cute!

I imagine you must get super used to bugs in general, huh? Thanks for all the advice, and I'm glad I don't have to stress about the bugs being eaten on the day of their arrival.

I won't lie. The only ones I won't touch with my fingers are super worms. They are AGGRESSIVE. Haha. I started out freaked out by the roaches and the worms. It was nightmare fuel. Now I'm picking black soldier flies up by the wings, holding silk worms/horned worms/larvae on my hand (the horned worms WILL bite though) and I stopped freaking out when a roach climbs on me. My husband? Still not touching a single bug. Haha. The things we do for chameleon love.