Opinions on this gutload recipe?

[artgecko]

Hello all,

I went shopping today and picked up some organic veggies to make a large batch of gut load to use with superworms, roaches, and crickets (in addition to a quality dry formula). I'd like your opinions on what I purchased and what I can add when I make up the next batch. Also, opinions on ratios would be great.

I combined 1 bunch of kale, 1 bunch collards, 9 carrots, 3 gala apples. It ended up being ~ 1/2 greens, 5/8 carrots, and 3/8 apple. I washed, shredded / finely chopped all ingredients and combined. All totaled, it filled up 5 ice cube trays, so should last me a while (frozen, then put in ziploc bags and thawed before feeding).

I wanted to add yam and squash, but was unsure if those ingredients would need to be cooked first. I'd also appreciate input on what fruits might work or be beneficial.

Thank you for your time and help!

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Carrots, apples, and sweet fruits and vegeatbes in general are high in phosphorus and that binds available calcium.
Arugula
Water cress
Mustard
Turnip
Dandelion
Are your ideal base for greens

Cactus fruits and pads
Figs
Winter squash
Sweet potatoes
Parsnips
Are your ideal fruits and veggies

Other fruits and greens are fine, but should make up 20-30% of a total mix of the above listed fresh items. In general, fruits such as citrus and berries and greens such as spinach have valid reasons for inclusion in the diet, due to high amounts of antioxidants and vitamins, and I always consider that when choosing what items I add that are not on my ideal list.

You can feed grape leaves, fig leaves, plantain ( common lawn weed, not banana-like fruit ), hibiscus, nasturtium, squash, marigold, dandelion, and chamomile flowers, and lots of other edible wilds.
I used natural, organic baby food as an moisture source and unsweetened applesauce.

 

[artgecko]

Thank you for your advice!
Do you have to cook the squash / sweet potatoes before adding them?

 

[AZChamFan]

Carrots, apples, and sweet fruits and vegeatbes in general are high in phosphorus and that binds available calcium.
Arugula
Water cress
Mustard
Turnip
Dandelion
Are your ideal base for greens

Cactus fruits and pads
Figs
Winter squash
Sweet potatoes
Parsnips
Are your ideal fruits and veggies

Other fruits and greens are fine, but should make up 20-30% of a total mix of the above listed fresh items. In general, fruits such as citrus and berries and greens such as spinach have valid reasons for inclusion in the diet, due to high amounts of antioxidants and vitamins, and I always consider that when choosing what items I add that are not on my ideal list.

You can feed grape leaves, fig leaves, plantain ( common lawn weed, not banana-like fruit ), hibiscus, nasturtium, squash, marigold, dandelion, and chamomile flowers, and lots of other edible wilds.
I used natural, organic baby food as an moisture source and unsweetened applesauce.

I would like to find a good alternative to water crystals. What I don't understand is if apples are not ideal because they are high in phosphorus, then what makes applesauce a good water source, even if it is unsweetend? I assume apples are still ok in occasional small amounts but it just seems they would be consuming a lot of applesauce as a water source. Maybe just use it 25 percent of the time or something? I've used oranges but I'm always unsure just how much I should rely on them for a water source. Any certain flavors of baby food that are best?!!!

 

[Extensionofgreen]

You do not need to cook anything before feeding, just wash well.

Apples and other fruits can be used, in my case, as a moisture source, without undue concern about the phosphorus content, because my dry gutload is composed of enough calcium-rich items and the fruit is only provided once every 3 days, so the gut isn't always full of applesauce or babyfood.