Does this gutload sound good?

[Benton1576]

Hello,

So, i normally gutload with orange, apple, dandelion greens, carrot, cabbage, watercress and a bit of rocket. Does this sound like a decent combination? My crix, hoppers and roaches go crazy for it. Today i thought id try something new so i blended them all together and put them into ice cube trays to freeze. Will this be ok or not? I think its a good idea as it should keep the gutload fresh so i can keep it for longer periods. Ill only need 1 cube per feed.

 

[drcrossfire]

Freezing things works great! Seems like a good mix---- but I dont know what Rocket is??

 

[Benton1576]

Me neither, lol. Its some kind of leafy green that ive heard many UK keepers using for gutload so it cant be a bad thing. Glad the freezing thing works, gonna turn into a juicy pulp once it thaws though!

 

[KatCham]

Hello,

So, i normally gutload with orange, apple, dandelion greens, carrot, cabbage, watercress and a bit of rocket. Does this sound like a decent combination? My crix, hoppers and roaches go crazy for it. Today i thought id try something new so i blended them all together and put them into ice cube trays to freeze. Will this be ok or not? I think its a good idea as it should keep the gutload fresh so i can keep it for longer periods. Ill only need 1 cube per feed.

Sounds good to me. You could use kale and spring greens too, which are high in calcium.
Rocket is a peppery leaf used in salads. Again, high in calcium so good to use, as is the watercress.

I used to do this, freezing the cubes of gutload but the locusts didn't seem as interested in that as they are in fresh leaves. I also found that as the cubes defrost you end up with quite a bit of water with the pulp. If your feeders eat it though its quite convenient.

I just use fresh stuff now, from personal experiences.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hello,

So, i normally gutload with orange, apple, dandelion greens, carrot, cabbage, watercress and a bit of rocket. Does this sound like a decent combination? My crix, hoppers and roaches go crazy for it. Today i thought id try something new so i blended them all together and put them into ice cube trays to freeze. Will this be ok or not? I think its a good idea as it should keep the gutload fresh so i can keep it for longer periods. Ill only need 1 cube per feed.

Avoid using large amounts of broccoli, beet leaves, parsley, cassava, watercress, kale, collard greens, spinach (avoid anything high in phytates, Oxalic Acid, Goitrogens).

Rocket is a type of arugula and its okay to use.

Fresh is best, but frozen is better than "fresh" stuff that's been sitting in the fridge for more than a week.

You may want to add in something like spirulina or kelp, and alfalfa.

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

^ Why should you avoid this stuff again?

And isn't citrus also bad for herps?

 

[drcrossfire]

^ Why should you avoid this stuff again?

And isn't citrus also bad for herps?

She's not saying avoid entirely-- just aviod using a large amount of it. Though many vegetables maintain an adequate calcium to phophorus ratio, something such as Oxcalic acid will bind to the calcium, thus effectively reducing the calcium available to an inadequate levels.

So, while a small amount in a blend is good for variation of nutritional elements, these other items (phytates, Oxalic Acid, Goitrogens) can throw off the whole mix. Thats why when making a gutload, be sure to be aware of these or you may be tricking yourself in to making a poor gutload.

 

[sdheli420]

She's not saying avoid entirely-- just aviod using a large amount of it. Though many vegetables maintain an adequate calcium to phophorus ratio, something such as Oxcalic acid will bind to the calcium, thus effectively reducing the calcium available to an inadequate levels.

So, while a small amount in a blend is good for variation of nutritional elements, these other items (phytates, Oxalic Acid, Goitrogens) can throw off the whole mix. Thats why when making a gutload, be sure to be aware of these or you may be tricking yourself in to making a poor gutload.

yes like with kale and other that are high...its kinda like this..in growing plants..too much fertilizers burns the leaves, while a smaller amount almost goes further..its like salt..add just a lil, see how it is..and if you think you need more, you can add it later..

 

[lecham]

mango?

what about mango? wat vitamin does this provide? or is it good to gutload?

 

[Benton1576]

Avoid using large amounts of broccoli, beet leaves, parsley, cassava, watercress, kale, collard greens, spinach (avoid anything high in phytates, Oxalic Acid, Goitrogens).

Rocket is a type of arugula and its okay to use.

Fresh is best, but frozen is better than "fresh" stuff that's been sitting in the fridge for more than a week.

You may want to add in something like spirulina or kelp, and alfalfa.

Thanks sandra. I actually got most my ingredients from your blogs which are full of very useful information so thank you for making them! I thought freezing would make it last longer, as you said, fresh is only good for a week or so before it starts to go bad. It should save me quite a bit of money too not having to buy fresh greens each week! As i said, ive always used the gutloading method, varying it each time, so i thought this time id just make a smoothie combo for freezing.

 

[sandrachameleon]

And isn't citrus also bad for herps?

No, not as part of a balanced gutload.

She's not saying avoid entirely-- just aviod using a large amount of it. Though many vegetables maintain an adequate calcium to phophorus ratio, something such as Oxcalic acid will bind to the calcium, thus effectively reducing the calcium available to an inadequate levels.

So, while a small amount in a blend is good for variation of nutritional elements, these other items (phytates, Oxalic Acid, Goitrogens) can throw off the whole mix. Thats why when making a gutload, be sure to be aware of these or you may be tricking yourself in to making a poor gutload.

Exactly! You have to watch what might make the calcium, iodine, etc less bioavailable.

what about mango? wat vitamin does this provide? or is it good to gutload?

Mango has the wrong calcium to phosphorous ratio so you shouldnt use this as a regular part of the gutload (meaning, it has more phosphorous than calcium, which isnt what you want). But it does have lots of potassium and vitamin C, as well as vitamin B6 and beta carotene, so if those were things you were trying to increase it might be worth including mango from time to time.

Thanks sandra. I actually got most my ingredients from your blogs which are full of very useful information so thank you for making them! I thought freezing would make it last longer, as you said, fresh is only good for a week or so before it starts to go bad. It should save me quite a bit of money too not having to buy fresh greens each week! As i said, ive always used the gutloading method, varying it each time, so i thought this time id just make a smoothie combo for freezing.

You're very welcome

 

[sandrachameleon]

Nutrients in Rocket:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/485-arugula-rocket-eruca-sativa.html

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

what about mango? wat vitamin does this provide? or is it good to gutload?

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I bought a bag of frozen mango pieces, and it is EXTREMELY bitter. Mangoes have so much natural sugars that it's bitter, so while I don't know what kind of vitamins in may offer, but I don't give it to any of my feeders or my crested gecko very often; they eat it, but they don't seem to enjoy it too much.

No, not as part of a balanced gutload.

I thought there was something about citrus that should be avoided.. *shrug*

 

[KatCham]

I thought I'd give the freezing gutload cubes another go as I also am sick of wasting/buying new veg every week.

Current gutload seems to be going well, Locusts love it!!! It is a blend of:

spring greens
kale
watercress
rocket
carrot

Is that ok?

Will change a few ingredients for the next batch.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I thought there was something about citrus that should be avoided.. *shrug*

I havent read anything that suggests not using citrus, but I dont know everything (despite what I tell my husband). I use oranges from time to time in my gutload, and no ill effects notices. But I dont use a lot of citrus, or even a lot of fruit for that matter, so maybe Ive just been lucky? If you have any studies or websites whatever you can point me to about possible negative effects of citrus, I'd be very interested to learn of them please!

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

I can't remember where I read about it exactly, but I'll let you know if I find something about it again.