NON Gut Loading Food for Dubias

[stellaxtine]

I'm trying to figure out what to feed my breeding-only adult dubias besides carrots. The problem is that I house the adults outside and it gets really hot where I live, so I need something that won't mold easily/at all. Btw I don't feed the adults to my gecko because they're way too big, so gut loading is not necessary (juveniles are separated, kept indoors, and only eat gut-load). Also, if I can give them something that'll last a whole week, that'd be great, because I really don't like them so I only open their bin for maintenance like once a week lmao.

 

[Herpin Man]

I think that most dubia breeders feed them a grain product, such as chick starter, as a staple. That's what I use, however it will certainly mold when it gets wet. If that is the case, then you should probably feed small amounts, and throw out moldy food on a regular basis.
I don't understand what you mean by "non gut load". All gut loading entails is feeding your feeder insects something nutritious- why would you want NOT to do that?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I only recommend Albers' or Purina Layena Sunfresh Crumbles' brands of poultry feed. If you cannot find those in the USA, don't buy poultry feed. Some poultry laying feeds contain diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural antiparasitic for bird flocks. If ingested by insects, diatomaceous earth is fatal.

Pro Gutload diet (by Professional Reptiles), Albers' All Purpose Poultry Feed, or Purina Layena Sunfresh Crumbles makes a good dry diet for breeding dubia and their offspring. Don't be concerned that the first recommendation says: Pro Gutload diet.

Other choices:
"Lettuce (except dark, leafy greens) is just water and nutritionally irrelevant. People don't even give lettuce to tortoises and iguanas because it's worthless as food. The same could be said for potatoes. Fish flakes are very high in protein and this can lead to a build-up of uric acid in feeders/reptiles and end up causing gout. A little now and then is fine but this should never be the bulk of any gutload.

"A commercial gutloading food like Bug Burger or Superload (both by Repashy), Cricket Crack, Dinofuel, etc. is going to make your life easier AND provide a nutritious diet to your crickets at the same time. Avoid Fluker's gutloads, as they are super feeble in their formulas.

"If you opt for making your own gutload at home, here is a list of great ingredients to use:
Best: mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion leaves, collard greens, escarole lettuce, papaya, watercress, and alfalfa.
Good: sweet potato, carrots, oranges, mango, butternut squash, kale, apples, beet greens, blackberries, bok choy, and green beans.
Dry food: bee pollen, organic non-salted sunflower seeds, spirulina, dried seaweed, flax seed, and organic non-salted almonds.
Avoid as much as possible: potatoes, cabbage, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, corn, grains, beans, oats, bread, cereal, meat, eggs, dog food, cat food, fish food, canned or dead insects, vertebrates."

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

BTW

• Click: 1 lb Pro Gutload - Professional Reptiles

For 18 click: Gut Loading Clarifications