How many crickets is too many?

[dudeman728]

I have a make veiled chameleon (cooper) who just started to eat crickets. they are about 1/2 inch in size and he is about 1 1/2 months old. i am very aware of overeating and i was just wondering how much is too much? i try and restrict his diet, but sometimes i feel like since he is growing, he should eat more. he is obviously very small because he is very young, so it is hard to judge. if the people who has or had similar issues could give me some tips that would be awesome! thanks!

 

[jheitz]

Little guys are voracious eaters. They pack on calories quickly in order to beat out mother nature. One general rule of thumb is feed as many as they will eat in 20 minutes a few times a day, making sure to remove any uneaten crickets. You can also do a quick search of the forums and find some very excellent feeding schedules, regiments, and perfered prey items.

 

[jake01]

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/feeders-and-their-husbandry-how-much-to.html

"how much to offer" sub head, scroll down.

 

[jheitz]

Good find. I'am more curious as to where the connection between excessive feeding and MDB is made, or if it's an augment to the proposed supplement schedule. I've always followed the 20 minute rule with no ill effect, but I do hold Brad in high regard! Got my spider scense tingling!!!!

 

[graydon]

anything over 15 is a little much

 

[jannb]

I have a make veiled chameleon (cooper) who just started to eat crickets. they are about 1/2 inch in size and he is about 1 1/2 months old. i am very aware of overeating and i was just wondering how much is too much? i try and restrict his diet, but sometimes i feel like since he is growing, he should eat more. he is obviously very small because he is very young, so it is hard to judge. if the people who has or had similar issues could give me some tips that would be awesome! thanks!

At one and a half months old I would think 1/2 inch crickets would be too big. Buy 1/4 inch for him and feed him around 15 a day.

 

[dudeman728]

actually now that i looked at it again, its actually 1/4 not 1/2

 

[kinyonga]

I generally feed hatchling veileds all they can eat in a couple of minutes at each feeding. I don't like to grow them too fast.

Here's a site concerning overfeeding and MBD...
http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/veiled-and-panther-chameleon-care-101d.html