Calcium dusted buggers!!!

[SunnyBaby]

Hello hello!
Right about now I feel like I'm taking advantage of you guys but I keep coming up with question after question! So here we go again!!!
I've been noticing calcium dusted crickets (or what ever the cam is having for dinner) is very important. But how many times a week or a month should I give my Jackson these dusty little devils and how many? Right now I give him some ever other week normally about 6 or 7. And what is this d3 I keep reading? Someone please educate me

 

[smcdiarmid]

I'm going to take a stab at this one,
From what I have read a good supplement schedule is:
Every feeding dust with calcium WITHOUT D3
Once every two weeks dust with Calcium WITH D3
And every two weeks dust with a multivitamin


EDIT: Didn't read that it was for a Jackson...Apologies!

 

[camimom]

No. The above schedule is for veileds and. Panthers.

You need to contact xanthoman for a supplement schedule for your jackson. Jackson's require less supplementation than other spwcies and are easily over supplemented

 

[SunnyBaby]

I'm going to take a stab at this one,
From what I have read a good supplement schedule is:
Every feeding dust with calcium WITHOUT D3
Once every two weeks dust with Calcium WITH D3
And every two weeks dust with a multivitamin

Wow so there are 2 types of calcium! Good to know I. Will start this new feeding schedual right away. Is the multivitamin also a powder form? I will have to stop by the pet shop and snoop around for some calcium w/ 3d and multivitamims. Thanks for the info!

 

[Swayne8998]

I'm going to take a stab at this one,
From what I have read a good supplement schedule is:
Every feeding dust with calcium WITHOUT D3
Once every two weeks dust with Calcium WITH D3
And every two weeks dust with a multivitamin

I've never heard that one before... maybe for a panther or veiled...

But anyway, let me educate you

D3 is the vitamin that you get from the sun. It is very powerful when introduced in supplements. An appropriate feeding schedule for a Jackson's is:
-Calcium D3/Phosphorus free 3 times a week (Rep-Cal)
-Calcium with D3 once a month (Rep-Cal)
-Multivitamin (Herptivite) once a month (Rep-Cal)

There are some other, probably better ways to supplement for Jackson's, so I will let some others chime in. But this is as far as I know for Jackson's supplementing.

 

[Swayne8998]

Wow so there are 2 types of calcium! Good to know I. Will start this new feeding schedual right away. Is the multivitamin also a powder form? I will have to stop by the pet shop and snoop around for some calcium w/ 3d and multivitamims. Thanks for the info!

Yes I agree with camimom PLEASE don't take this schedule!!! Either read mine or wait for an experienced Jackson's owner to tell you.

EDIT: And yes they are all in powder form. Calcium without D3 is hard to find in stores, so you may need to order online.

 

[SunnyBaby]

No. The above schedule is for veileds and. Panthers.

You need to contact xanthoman for a supplement schedule for your jackson. Jackson's require less supplementation than other spwcies and are easily over supplemented

Ok I didn't read this... so is xanthoman a website? Or is it someone on here? Thanks again!

 

[Swayne8998]

Ok I didn't read this... so is xanthoman a website? Or is it someone on here? Thanks again!

Lol, no xanthoman is a member here on the forum. Action Jackson is another great member that is experienced with Jackson's.

 

[SpartyTessy]

There are a couple ways you can go about this and you should read this Blog for good info on Jacksons,

I am quoting from his (Hoj)blog on suplementing of Jacksons.

"Plain calcium without D3 most feedings
Multivitamin with D3 twice a month ( reptvite )

Third is my new current schedule and has been working with positive results.

Plain calcium at most feedings
All in one multivitamin with D3 four times a month ( repashy calcium plus )

To the keeper:
As with supplementing with any cham, less is more, and with montanes this is more true than ever. I tend to only feed my adults 4 days a week and with only a very light dusting. "

This is quoted from Hoj who has been a long time Jacksons Chameleon owner. Also check out this video that was done by J Dog who is also a long time Jackson Chameleon owner.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lKTbUaOQ0aA

 

[camimom]

Ok I didn't read this... so is xanthoman a website? Or is it someone on here? Thanks again!

Member. Him or solid snake. Or
Miss
Lily who has a Jackson.

Do NOT use The above mentioned schedule. That is for
Veiled and panthers ONLY.

 

[Cainschams]

I'm going to take a stab at this one,
From what I have read a good supplement schedule is:
Every feeding dust with calcium WITHOUT D3
Once every two weeks dust with Calcium WITH D3
And every two weeks dust with a multivitamin

This is a good GENERAL practice for veileds and panthers but for a jacksons I wouldnt recommend it. The montane (mountainous) species are more susceptible to over supplementation problems.

I honestly have no set schedule for montanes. Whenever I feel the need a dusting I dust The calcium with D3 is if you house your cham indoors the majority of the time. We, and other creatures, get D3 from the sunlight which helps absorb calcium. Right now I dont dust with D3 because my guys are outside constantly soaking up whatever rays they want. Come the colder months they will get D3 once a month to a month and a half I would say. Again, I have no real schedule.

I dust montane babies food once a week but when adult its once every week to two weeks. I do use a multivitamin but very seldom and a little more when younger. Your guy looks to be full grown or almost judging by your avatar.

Some dust more often but I try for a more well rounded gut load to give my animals the nutrients they need. Sandrachameleon has a good blog on gut loading your feeders.

One thing you want to watch out for is if your cham is getting swelling around his neck. This is called gular edema which can be caused by over or under supplementing but most of the time we see it caused from over supplementing. If you notice this cut back on the supplements and offer more water. If that doesnt work start looking at your gut load, change it up and see if that helps. If that doesnt blood work from a vet can tell you what is going on.

Hope this helps some.

 

[SunnyBaby]

I've never heard that one before... maybe for a panther or veiled...

But anyway, let me educate you

D3 is the vitamin that you get from the sun. It is very powerful when introduced in supplements. An appropriate feeding schedule for a Jackson's is:
-Calcium D3/Phosphorus free 3 times a week (Rep-Cal)
-Calcium with D3 once a month (Rep-Cal)
-Multivitamin (Herptivite) once a month (Rep-Cal)

There are some other, probably better ways to supplement for Jackson's, so I will let some others chime in. But this is as far as I know for Jackson's supplementing.

Thank you for schooling me... never to old to get schooled! Hahaha

 

[Cainschams]

As was mentioned, they dont need as much food when older. Around 6 appropriate size or equivalent to bugs every other day is a good general rule. Every cham is different so you just got to get a feel for what it takes to keep yours at a nice weight. It can vary even in the same species.

 

[SunnyBaby]

This is a good GENERAL practice for veileds and panthers but for a jacksons I wouldnt recommend it. The montane (mountainous) species are more susceptible to over supplementation problems.

I honestly have no set schedule for montanes. Whenever I feel the need a dusting I dust The calcium with D3 is if you house your cham indoors the majority of the time. We, and other creatures, get D3 from the sunlight which helps absorb calcium. Right now I dont dust with D3 because my guys are outside constantly soaking up whatever rays they want. Come the colder months they will get D3 once a month to a month and a half I would say. Again, I have no real schedule.

I dust montane babies food once a week but when adult its once every week to two weeks. I do use a multivitamin but very seldom and a little more when younger. Your guy looks to be full grown or almost judging by your avatar.

Some dust more often but I try for a more well rounded gut load to give my animals the nutrients they need. Sandrachameleon has a good blog on gut loading your feeders.

One thing you want to watch out for is if your cham is getting swelling around his neck. This is called gular edema which can be caused by over or under supplementing but most of the time we see it caused from over supplementing. If you notice this cut back on the supplements and offer more water. If that doesnt work start looking at your gut load, change it up and see if that helps. If that doesnt blood work from a vet can tell you what is going on.

Hope this helps some.

This has helped plenty! I'm in Seattle so he stays indoor but I make sure to gut load his crickets w/ carots what other gut load food is safe?

 

[SpartyTessy]

This has helped plenty! I'm in Seattle so he stays indoor but I make sure to gut load his crickets w/ carots what other gut load food is safe?

For sure check out sandrachameleon's blog on gut loading. I read that carrots are good only once in a while. Something about them can cause problems if fed to your feeders everyday. Colard Greens and Kale are really good. Dust them with Cricket Crack and/or DinoFuel which you can get from sponsors on this site and you cannot go wrong.

 

[Cainschams]

This has helped plenty! I'm in Seattle so he stays indoor but I make sure to gut load his crickets w/ carots what other gut load food is safe?

Dark leafy greens like kale, kelp, mustard greens, endive etc. Carrots, zuccini, squash, alfalfa, oranges, apples etc etc. Stay away from things like lettuce (not much nutritional value) broccoli, tomato and other things with high oxalates which can make it harder to absorb calcium. If you search sandrachameleon on here she has a good blog. I usually just use one or two items at a time instead of making a big mix of everything. Stay away from things like Flukers cricket gutload and orange cubes. They are junk if you ask me. You can also get "cricket crack" from a member on here. I think it is SSimmsswiSS is how its spelled Get the montane mix. I dont like to use it for every feeding though. I have had some animals get the edema from using it too much but some never had a problem with it. Even in the same species some would have the problem and others not. My babies really seemed to have a problem with using it too much but it has tons of good stuff in it and is great to use one or two feedings a week or so. Another is Repashy bug burger, I think, and also Dino Fuel which is sold by Tkilgore on here.

 

[Cainschams]

For sure check out sandrachameleon's blog on gut loading. I read that carrots are good only once in a while. Something about them can cause problems if fed to your feeders everyday. Colard Greens and Kale are really good. Dust them with Cricket Crack and/or DinoFuel which you can get from sponsors on this site and you cannot go wrong.

Not sure where you heard that but its not true. I dont know from experience but a very well respected member and a person who has bred and raised tons of species said they only used just carrots for a long time. I wont throw them under the bus though

 

[Elizadolots]

Wow so there are 2 types of calcium! Good to know I. Will start this new feeding schedual right away. Is the multivitamin also a powder form? I will have to stop by the pet shop and snoop around for some calcium w/ 3d and multivitamims. Thanks for the info!

I was able to buy calcium without D3 locally. If you have a store that features reptiles, you should check there. If you end up ordering it online, make sure your local pet store knows what you ordered and why. They might decide it's worth keeping in stock, or they might offer to order it for you when you need it (it's not like you suddenly run out, you could give them a month's notice easily).

I've never heard that one before... maybe for a panther or veiled...

But anyway, let me educate you

D3 is the vitamin that you get from the sun. It is very powerful when introduced in supplements. An appropriate feeding schedule for a Jackson's is:
-Calcium D3/Phosphorus free 3 times a week (Rep-Cal)
-Calcium with D3 once a month (Rep-Cal)
-Multivitamin (Herptivite) once a month (Rep-Cal)

There are some other, probably better ways to supplement for Jackson's, so I will let some others chime in. But this is as far as I know for Jackson's supplementing.

I would call that a good schedule. You could probably use the D3 every 5 or 6 weeks, same for the multivitamin, but it's really probably easier to go with once a month.

For sure check out sandrachameleon's blog on gut loading. I read that carrots are good only once in a while. Something about them can cause problems if fed to your feeders everyday. Colard Greens and Kale are really good. Dust them with Cricket Crack and/or DinoFuel which you can get from sponsors on this site and you cannot go wrong.

I believe that the vitamin A content of carrots is the potential problem. Vitamin A is necessary for eye health, but it crosses paths with calcium absorption so you need to use the right amount (at least, that's how I remember it).

 

[Swayne8998]

This has helped plenty! I'm in Seattle so he stays indoor but I make sure to gut load his crickets w/ carots what other gut load food is safe?

Check out sandrachameleon's blog. She is the absolute GURU of gutloading. Gutload with collard greens, mustard greens, kale, carrots, dandelion leaves, romaine lettuce, grape leaves, and much, much more. You can also offer a wide variety of fruits including oranges, apples, and more.

 

[SunnyBaby]

Wow thank you all for all this helpful info. I've taken note and will start this new feeding for him.