too many waxworms

[babyjoe]

Hey guys just got some new feeders a few days ago and started introducing them today.up till now its been a mix of black and brown crickets and mealworms. Got locusts now and wow he really hops off them.I now that waxworms can be addictive and fatty so how much is too much.I think a good fatty worm is not a bad idea for the winter months also what's the views on wax moths are they an ok food source

 

[Kate]

Waxworms are a poor food choice because of the fat content. One or two a week as a treat. Have you tried silkworms. They are excellent feeders. Locusts are good but stick to hoppers as opposed to wingers. Wingers have an evil bite.

 

[babyjoe]

Yea I had heard that there not very nutritious but the chams love them.I had only planned on giving him a few a week as a dessert and a handling incentive.I didn't plan making them a main part of his diet.what about letting some turn into moths.are they ok for eating or should they be avoided

 

[absolutbill]

It's better when they turn into moths. They burn up a lot of their fat in that process and the flying aspect is a good enrichment for your chams. You can use the waxworms to entice your cham to handfeed, or climb out of his cage, but I would only use them extremely sparingly in that case.

 

[babyjoe]

I wasn't sure about the nutritional value of the moths but I did think the flying aspect would be good for Fred as I've seen with houseflieshe goes into a complete different hunting mode.the crickets are easy targets but he has to be stealthy to get the flies.its probably a good workout for the tongue muscles too because he shoots them from a good bit further away

 

[VanessaS]

It's better when they turn into moths. They burn up a lot of their fat in that process and the flying aspect is a good enrichment for your chams. You can use the waxworms to entice your cham to handfeed, or climb out of his cage, but I would only use them extremely sparingly in that case.

I've never let them turn into moths. Do I take them out of the fridge? How long does it take? I give my guy about 3 every few days when I have them. I don't buy them regularly though and he's a young boy, so I figure fat is not too big of a problem. Plus he does get lots of excitement with his BB flies ; )

 

[Kate]

I love chocolate but I shouldn't eat it every day!

 

[babyjoe]

I've never let them turn into moths. Do I take them out of the fridge? How long does it take? I give my guy about 3 every few days when I have them. I don't buy them regularly though and he's a young boy, so I figure fat is not too big of a problem. Plus he does get lots of excitement with his BB flies ; )

I don't know what the story is with the moths.I was just goin to keep a couple in a dark box with some food and see what happens

 

[absolutbill]

I have a tupperware container with holes in the lid and covered by screen. Wad up some wax paper balls and place in there. For a bedding, I use wheat bran mixed with honey - just enough honey to be moist. Place your worms in there, they will cocoon and eventually turn to moths. Once the moths hatch (takes a couple of months) they will lay eggs on and around the wax paper. You have about 3 days of this mating behavior. At the end of day 3 pull out and feed off some of the moths. The rest will naturally die and are used by the worms when they hatch to feed off of.

Even for a baby, don't get in the habit of feeding a lot of waxworms. It's like feeding a baby candy - yes they like it but it's not good for them. Plus there are a lot of stories of chams going on a food strike when the waxworms are taken away. Because babies are growing so much you can't afford to have one stop eating for a few days. I'd personally wait until they were 6 months old before giving one as a treat to entice them to handfeed, or to come out onto your hand. Good luck!

 

[babyjoe]

I have a tupperware container with holes in the lid and covered by screen. Wad up some wax paper balls and place in there. For a bedding, I use wheat bran mixed with honey - just enough honey to be moist. Place your worms in there, they will cocoon and eventually turn to moths. Once the moths hatch (takes a couple of months) they will lay eggs on and around the wax paper. You have about 3 days of this mating behavior. At the end of day 3 pull out and feed off some of the moths. The rest will naturally die and are used by the worms when they hatch to feed off of.

Even for a baby, don't get in the habit of feeding a lot of waxworms. It's like feeding a baby candy - yes they like it but it's not good for them. Plus there are a lot of stories of chams going on a food strike when the waxworms are taken away. Because babies are growing so much you can't afford to have one stop eating for a few days. I'd personally wait until they were 6 months old before giving one as a treat to entice them to handfeed, or to come out onto your hand. Good luck!

thanks for the tips ill get on it straight away.i want to get silkworms too can they be kept in the same way. i dont know how available they are here in ireland though

 

[Kate]

I have only ordered from Silk Farm but they only have eggs just now. Could be the time of year. I'm in the n/e Scotland and they ship fine. No fatalities.

 

[babyjoe]

I have only ordered from Silk Farm but they only have eggs just now. Could be the time of year. I'm in the n/e Scotland and they ship fine. No fatalities.

Thanks again Kate.at least us users from this side of the,Atlantic aren't being left out.I'm beginning to think I'm the only Irish user actually are the silks hard to keep.