How much should a gravid female eat?

[Lathelia]

Hi,
I cannot find any info about how much should gravid females eat. And should there be any difference between gravid with uncalcified and calcified eggs?

My panther xray has showed uncalcified eggs right after she layed. I want her to lay as small clutch as possible, but I'm worried I won't give her enough to regain full strength and health.

PS. If she already has uncalcified eggs will amount of food intake have influence on clutch size?

 

[Lathelia]

bump, bump

 

[Lathelia]

Why no one ever answear my threads?

 

[ReptileLove18]

try messaging Olimpia and Laurie! sometimes things just get missed. i have no idea what she should be eating thats why i would say try messaging some of the really experiened people!

 

[Chameleonic]

Gravid females should get about what they normally get. Maybe a little more, not much. Same for calcium, just a tiny bit more plain. When laid she will be very thirsty and need to replace calcium. So again. just a little more than usual. If the eggs have started forming then extra food should not influence.

 

[Chameleonic]

I checked. you have some unusual difficult questions . you have checked with vets. i think maybe you can try ask ferritinmyshoes who is also vet. she can maybe help.

 

[Lathelia]

Ok, thank you

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

When they are developing eggs you walk the razor's edge of not wanting her to make a huge clutch but also wanting to provide her with enough nutrients to be healthy and have enough for herself and the eggs. This is when variation and quality of gutloading is paramount to really pack those bugs full of nutrients so she doesn't need so many. And she needs a lot of calcium, during and after! My female panther normally eats 7 or 8 medium crickets every other day when not gravid. When she's gravid I feed her 4 or 5 same size crickets every day so she has a more steady supply to use without really increasing the calorie intake a lot. I dust all of them with plain calcium, a bit heavier coating than normal. I also give 1 small drop liquid calcium twice a week. I continue with this schedule for a week after she's laid before going back to normal non-gravid schedule. I'm sure others have their own methods of keeping gravid females healthy and supported so I'm not saying my method is the only way to do it. That's just how I do it. My female has laid 22-26 eggs consistently so far.

 

[Lathelia]

When they are developing eggs you walk the razor's edge of not wanting her to make a huge clutch but also wanting to provide her with enough nutrients to be healthy and have enough for herself and the eggs. This is when variation and quality of gutloading is paramount to really pack those bugs full of nutrients so she doesn't need so many. And she needs a lot of calcium, during and after! My female panther normally eats 7 or 8 medium crickets every other day when not gravid. When she's gravid I feed her 4 or 5 same size crickets every day so she has a more steady supply to use without really increasing the calorie intake a lot. I dust all of them with plain calcium, a bit heavier coating than normal. I also give 1 small drop liquid calcium twice a week. I continue with this schedule for a week after she's laid before going back to normal non-gravid schedule. I'm sure others have their own methods of keeping gravid females healthy and supported so I'm not saying my method is the only way to do it. That's just how I do it. My female has laid 22-26 eggs consistently so far.

That is great advice, thank you so much. I will increase her food intake, because I only give her 3 sometimes 4 per day. I try my best to give her nice gutloaded variety of feeders and well suplemented.
Does the amount of food have any influence on the clutch size at that point? Meaning she has uncalcified eggs now?
Oh, and her last (and first) clutch was 20.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I chose how much to feed based on her weight. I measure every few weeks with a gram scale and feeding her less caused her to drop weight. At this schedule she maintains her weight. (non-gravid) I am not sure if the clutch size can be influenced at this point, but if it's early in development (before calcification) and suddenly food becomes plentiful I suppose it could trigger more follicles to head towards calcification. It's all a balancing act! And sometimes a little trial and error is needed to determine what is best for your female specifically.

 

[Lathelia]

Ok, thank you again. I hope she will be fine. Her first time was terrible and was stressing me so much..

Can not give you more rep points, sorry

 

[Chameleonic]

Excellent answers ferritinmyshoes thank you I can give rep.