P. grandis diminished interest in food

[AppleNick]

Hi all,

My 9 month old female grandis, over the past couple weeks, has significantly lost interest in eating. I feed a few crickets every other day and use 2 part 50/50 papaya CGD mixed with one half applesauce baby food once a week. I have not actually seen her eat a cricket for a few weeks, but I am sure that she eats a few of them, because the crickets have no tiny spaces to crawl into. However, a majority of the crickets are left completely alone and can live in there for up to a week until I clean the cage out. The CGD has been eaten less and less lately. She also laid what appeared to be an egg yesterday, which suprised me considering she is so young. It looked like a partially deflated ball.

Is this something to be worried about? Are my feeding methods problematic?

 

[PrestonG]

Well you shouldn't need to worry about her "partially deflated ball" this is usually referred to as a dud egg or a slug. She will continue to have these as she grows. Some times they will eat these and you will never see them. This might be why she has had a reduced intake with her new cycle she is getting used to. You might try to put her crickets in a deli cup to give a you a accurate count of what she is eating. Some times I changing up what you mix in to your CDG maybe try mixing it with baby food instead of apple sauce? Mango, peach banana ect

 

[proudwords]

I truly believe that Grandis get bored after eating the same things for awhile. Both my Grandis ladies will be very unethusiastic if they are offered the same food items all the time. By this time of year, they've eaten mostly crickets and fruit baby food all winter long and they are completely uninterested in crickets now. Thankfully the warmer weather has brought moths and spiders and a few of those have really spruced up their appetites. Also, fresh melon or mango puree (straight from the fruit) are always met with a spirited response.

 

[AppleNick]

Thanks for the responses.

I will try mixing the diet. Come to think of it, she always goes for the fresh fruits. Anyone have success with silkworms?