gut loading feeders

[vgaines]

Is it ok to gut load my feeders (crickets) with freeze dried raspberries, blueberries, and apples along with sweet potato baby food? My kids love to snack on the freeze dried fruit so I was wondering if it would be ok to use for my crickets.

Thanks
Virginia

 

[sandrachameleon]

Okay to include those, yes, though I would not make those the foundation of my gutloading.

firstly, dried fruit doesnt contribute to the hydration of the feeder prey and thus the hydration of the chameleon.
Blueberries and raspberries have moderate oxalates amounts, which is okay for occassional use but less so for significant inclusion.
also, Blueberries havent the ideal calcium to phosphorous ratio (1 : 1.6) though they can provide antioxidants (dunno if this holds true for dried ones) and are non-goitrogeneic

prepared Baby food can have a fair bit of sugars and salt - dunno what's in your particular brand. At least its probably cooked, so that would reduce the goitrogens.

 

[vgaines]

Okay to include those, yes, though I would not make those the foundation of my gutloading.

firstly, dried fruit doesnt contribute to the hydration of the feeder prey and thus the hydration of the chameleon.
Blueberries and raspberries have moderate oxalates amounts, which is okay for occassional use but less so for significant inclusion.
also, Blueberries havent the ideal calcium to phosphorous ratio (1 : 1.6) though they can provide antioxidants (dunno if this holds true for dried ones) and are non-goitrogeneic

prepared Baby food can have a fair bit of sugars and salt - dunno what's in your particular brand. At least its probably cooked, so that would reduce the goitrogens.

Thanks...guess I will stick to the fresh foods.