[lauraleellbp]

Or is a diet including D3 sufficient for hatchlings as well as adults?

Or does it depend on the species?

[Sgvreptiles]

Ive rarely used UV over the years and havent had any problems. So need, no. Beneficial, sure.

[lauraleellbp]

I guess the more I think about it, the broader dietary questions I have... lol

I've read of using Repashy's HyD SuperCal formula, crushed cuttlebone, or capfulls of calcium + D3 in enclosures for breeding females.

Do ONLY breeding females benefit from extra calcium and D3 (in the absence of UV light), or is it recommended to make it available for males and hatchlings as well?

[Sgvreptiles]

Breeding females benefit from it the most as there eggs suck out alot of calcium.In the begening of the season they will have large calcium sacks,4-6 clutches later there calcium sacks are practically non exsistant, at which point I remove them and let them gain some storage back for next years breeding.
I give all my animals repashy ICB calcium every insect feeding. When feeding repashy MRP I usually mix in plain yogery and a little bit of baby food.
Ive never put in cap fulls of calcium, nor have I tried cuttle fish bone.

[colinmelsom]

Originally Posted by Sgvreptiles

Ive rarely used UV over the years and havent had any problems. So need, no. Beneficial, sure.

Please expand Jeff because you must give D3 in some other form?

I always use a 10 or 12% U.V.B. tube over my hatchlings and they do well.If you are confident enough to give supplementation thats fine but the safest way is with ultraviolet light.In my view its very difficult to administer the correct amounts through supplementation.I have tried rearing the youngsters without U.V.B. and at first they grew very well then they became rickety and died.Thats why I plumped for the ultraviolet tubes rather than supplements.

Breeding females and hatchlings do need more calcium and D3 than adult males but they are diurnal lizards so all benefit from both of these.

[lauraleellbp]

The Repashy MRPs do have D3 in them. The amount is sufficient for Rhacodactylus (nocturnal) species, I just wasn't sure about diurnal species?

Colin- do you remember if you were feeding the Repashy MRPs with those hatchlings, and if so, how often?

[colinmelsom]

Laura ,no I was not using ant Repashy supplements as these were not readily available in the U.K.then.I was using a general reptile supplement high in Vitamin D3 dusted on the crickets.

[lauraleellbp]

I'm hoping to try breeding some P. m. grandis next year and perhaps also some L. williamsi, so trying to make sure I have my ducks in a row in terms of feeding and enclosure needs for both the adults and juvies...

For those who raise hatchlings without UV, how many times a week do you feed foods/supplements with D3, and which ones are you using?

Jeff- how often do you feed Repashy, and are you feeding the Day Gecko diet, or regular CGD?

[daggekko]

Hey, for my babies I have not used UV lamps. For that matter I don't use them at all yet. I plan to switch in the near future to see if I can get some better coloration possibly out of my babies. The Phelsuma pasteuri have had wonderful color but my Phelsuma laticauda seem to fade a bit in color as they are getting older.

As far as problems I have had none without the UV bulbs. When I first started breeding I was using Rep-Cal Calcium + d3 and Herptivite, at a 1.1 ratio. I was even mixing it into baby food. Back in March I switched to Repashy products. I use the Day Gecko MRP for the most part with the Phelsuma, but use other flavors as well and use the Calcium Plus. I never leave calcium in the enclosure for the females. I do dust the crickets at every feeding though.

Julie from Gecko Ranch has found that some species might have some sort of absorbtion problem without UV lighting-Where the females had big calcium sacs and after switching to the UV tubes she said they were using more of the calcium instead of storing it. I don't know everything about this whole topic so I am still learning as well. I definately want to give this a shot to see for myself!!

Like Jeff and colinmelsom said, UV-beneficial for sure!!

I have looked at the other "day gecko" forum for Lygodactylus and whatnot. A few of the breeders for the Lygos say that UV is a MUST. Most of them had horrible success rates until they used UV lighting for the babies. I would say if your going to breed them to go ahead and invest in the UV tubes!

[jadrig]

UV makes the reds 'deeper'...almost a brick red...otherwise no need for phelsuma...as long as they are getting their calcium.