Should I Dust All of His Feeders?

[PrettyInInk87]

I have been dusting my Cham's feeders with calcium without D3 every feeding, dusted his feeders with calcium with D3 last friday, and will be dusting with Reptivite this coming friday. I feed him from 10 to 15 small crickets (to make sure he eats enough) and let him hunt for them. How many of those crickets should I be dusting? Should there be a ratio of dusted and undusted feeders?

 

[ruru]

instead of dusting so many then not dusting so many i just dust my babies feeders every other feeding.

 

[pssh]

All should be dusted, but should only be a shade lighter. It should almost be so light that you can't even tell the bug is dusted.

Edit: Some feeders don't need to be dusted. Variety is important so you don't want to be feeding crickets everyday.

 

[jrh3]

dont dust every feeding i dust once a week

 

[PrettyInInk87]

I'll go ahead and do the dusting every other day, that stuff really sticks. I don't only feed crickets, I have also fed wax worms, and should be getting tiny horn worms any day now. I've only had him a week so haven't really had the chance to give him a variety. Next will be Pheonix worms. Thank you!

 

[CNorton]

You joined the forums not even a month ago, posted 231 times as of this post, created 27 threads, and you've only had a chameleon for one week?

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I think she's had two chams CNorton. Her rescue didnt make it and passed. At least I think thats what happened.

 

[draetish]

I have been dusting my Cham's feeders with calcium without D3 every feeding, dusted his feeders with calcium with D3 last friday, and will be dusting with Reptivite this coming friday. I feed him from 10 to 15 small crickets (to make sure he eats enough) and let him hunt for them. How many of those crickets should I be dusting? Should there be a ratio of dusted and undusted feeders?

Your cham is 3 mo old so you should be dusting with calcium every other day and the D3 once a week (unless he is getting natural sunlight 2-3 hrs a day or every other day) then the D3 could be used once a month if at all. Vitamins twice a month. Now, depending on how long the feeders stay in the viv will determine to dust all or just some. You don't want to over-supplement your cham as that can lead to problems too especially D3. Maybe dust 4-5 feeders and hand feed those to him and let the rest roam without being dusted.

 

[PrettyInInk87]

You joined the forums not even a month ago, posted 231 times as of this post, created 27 threads, and you've only had a chameleon for one week?

Can you say STALKER? Lol! JK Yes, my first Cham was a rescue. He passed after only having him for 3 days. Was going to go see a Vet. but he passed the day before. Hugh is my second Cham and I have had him for a week now. I really like to be active on this forum since there are lots of people who are very informative and helpful. Since my first Cham died, i'd really hate to feel what I felt when I lost Charles again so I am constantly reading other forums for info. and if I have any doubt about anything, I make sure I ask.

 

[DeviousMike]

So many dusting suggestions, so hard to choose. And everybody is having success with what they go with. I need a wheel to spin so I can pick a new regiment every month!

 

[PrettyInInk87]

Your cham is 3 mo old so you should be dusting with calcium every other day and the D3 once a week (unless he is getting natural sunlight 2-3 hrs a day or every other day) then the D3 could be used once a month if at all. Vitamins twice a month. Now, depending on how long the feeders stay in the viv will determine to dust all or just some. You don't want to over-supplement your cham as that can lead to problems too especially D3. Maybe dust 4-5 feeders and hand feed those to him and let the rest roam without being dusted.

I have decided to do the dusting every other day, I do know you can over do it on the supplements and is why I posted this thread. Don't want to screw up! San Diego has been getting pretty chilly and seems like "winter" is finally settling in so no outside time for now. I'll go ahead and cup feed him a few dusted feeders and let the others roam. That's a really good idea... Thank you!

 

[pssh]

Perhaps it would be best for you to use the search feature before you start a thread. It reduces the clutter of threads that just keep asking the same thing over and over again. If you can't find the answer or don't understand it, THEN ask.

 

[DeviousMike]

Perhaps it would be best for you to use the search feature before you start a thread. It reduces the clutter of threads that just keep asking the same thing over and over again. If you can't find the answer or don't understand it, THEN ask.

I've participated in numerous forums for many years and this will never happen no matter what is stickied or how many times you post it. Its better just to let it be and let people chime in if they want to help or if they don't, then don't hit the reply button.

Oh and to get back on topic, I dust everyday without d3, twice a month with d3, currently no vitamin supplement under advice of lancechams but I will start to because I feel my gutload isnt "premium".

 

[pssh]

Yeah I know, but sometimes individual members figure it out with a little push.

I don't think I mentioned my schedule. I use an extremely light amount of calcium (both repcal and minerall) every feeding, I use repcal with d3 sporadically but generally once a month, and a vitamin also sporadically (generally once every 4-6 weeks.) I used to do the 'regular schedule' of calcium every day, d3 twice a month, and vitamins twice a month, but I'm very confident in my improved gutloading.

 

[kinyonga]

IMHO since the insects will always have the same ratio of calcium to phos. does it not make sense to dust them all lightly to try to make the ratio right??
From what I've read its not that easy to overdo the calcium as long as you don't make the insects look like ghosts all the time. Its much easier to not provide enough calcium. Also...as the insects walk around in the cage until they get eaten some of the powder will fall off.

D3 and prEformed vitamin A are the two to be more careful of IMHO since they can build up in the system.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I calcium dust all crickets, lightly, every time I offer them.
I usually dust superworms as well, and sometimes roaches, and usually grasshoppers.
I usually do not bother to dust silkworms, but most times they get silkies they have had a dusted super or cricket the day before or same day.
I dont dust stick bugs or terrestrial isopods or butterworms. In my opinion these three dont need dusting, when they are part of a varied diet.
I dont dust moths because I cant be bothered and they are rarely offered.