Posted by:
lizardman
at Sun May 18 07:09:04 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by lizardman ]
Non-medicated poultry feed is "poultry mash" or "egg-laying mash" that has no antibiotics added to it. Most of these chicken feeds have antibiotics added, so you should ask or read labels prior to buying the feed. The medicated feeds can be harmful to both roaches, crickets or other feeder insects as it destroys their intestinal "gut" flora; thus killing the insects. Laying- mash usually has calcium added to it, as it is designed for egg-laying hens; however, too much calcium can kill feeder insects. Studies indicate that lizards obtain more calcium from feeder insects that are "powder-coated in a bag" than by gut loading alone. A combination of gut-loading with hi-calcium vegs. & calcium power-coating would provide the maximum calcium intake for the lizard(s).
The previous posts to your questions re: heating are all good methods. The most efficient would probably be an UTH or Flex-Watt tape. Again, I use alfalfa pellets for the substrate; it acts as a natural deodorizer, & is edible (to the insects). It has high protein & mineral content. The only obstacle is to not get too much water misted onto it or it will mold. I use a small fan in my reptile/ feed-insect room to circulate the ambient heat, aid in evaporation; this also prevents grain mite infestations. If you use no substrates, this would aid in "picking-out" baby roaches. In that case you should provide plenty of egg-crating for them to inhabit (for security & breeding purposes).
Goodluck
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RE: What is......... - lizardman, Sun May 18 07:09:04 2003