live feed query

[stuart535]

hi there ive just been advised to change my 4 month old veileds food from crickets to hoppers.I done this yesterday and he hasnt eaten any since.I have given him some crickets from a feeder tub and he ate 5 straight away.He also seems afraid of the hoppers he goes a really dark brown when they approach him and moves away from them.should i persist or stick with crickets i have been told hoppers are twice as nutrititional and better for him.Also i seen him eat two lumps of substrate yesterday morning about the size of a small cricket.Can he digest and pass this? .Ive only had him three days and still have alot to learn.I have been given lots of advice from here and find it great that your all so ready with advice.I feel like an over concerned parent.

 

[camimom]

Welcome!
I have no experience with hoppers so cant help there.

but you shoudl remove the substrate. asap.

since youve seen him eat it, it can cause impaction. which is not good.

so we advise no substrate in a cham cage, unless its a pygmy cham, and just leave the floor bare.

 

[stuart535]

hey there i removed the substrate straight away he has only had one poo since that.Are there any signs for impaction that i could look out for ? and thanks again.

 

[camimom]

signs of impaction can be, no pooping, (obviously) may not eat, lethargy, and sometimes a swollen butt. i think.
and good job on removing it.

if you psot a photo of your set up, we can help with any other stuff too.

also, what lights and supplements do you use?

 

[stuart535]

ok ill look out for those ill sort a photo right now.he has a white heat lamp in a cage a uv bulb next to it and his thermostate probe is set by his basking point at 88 degrees.

 

[camimom]

is it glass or mesh? if glass, is there any ventilation?

i would also add some live plants, helps with humidity. and alot more foliage, they feel safer when hidden, and it will help is pretty greens come out, instead of the brown.


supplements?

 

[stuart535]

sorry forgot to add supplements he has cacium 3 times a week or thats what i have been advised and nutrabol multi vitamins once a week which also contain calium does he need both seperately or should the multi vits containing calcium.

 

[camimom]

the regular schedule most use is.

calcium without d3 for every feeding.
calcim with d3 twice a month.
multivitmain twice a month.

 

[stuart535]

it is two sliding glass doors on the front there is a mesh strip at the back at the top runs the whole width and is one inch high.

 

[camimom]

it is two sliding glass doors on the front there is a mesh strip at the back at the top runs the whole width and is one inch high.

may want to look into geting some more mesh in there, for ventilation purposes. the stagnant air can cause a respiratory infection.

 

[stuart535]

ok ill look in to more mesh what do you suggest i change?

 

[camimom]

ok ill look in to more mesh what do you suggest i change?

the top and the back. so air can come in the back, and out the top.

and then you can place your lights outside the cage, on top of the mesh.