Trying to get him on Dubia roaches

[pepesocute81]

Recently I decided to switch my chameleon from crickets to roaches because he was over the roaches. I tried them dusted but he didn’t try to eat them. It’s kind of odd because he used to be on roaches before crickets. Please let me know if you have any tips.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I've had some luck with putting extras in the feeder cup so there's more movement going on. Dubias kind of like to huddle in a corner and stand still, but if it's crowded there's more visual interest going on that may entice him and remind him of the good times he had with them? Probably worth checking the suggestions in Neptune's video!

 

[Gloriawood]

Like already mentioned, movement can be enticing. My guy won’t eat them unless they are moving. They can also be picky eaters and will throw a fit and go on a hunger strike. I see it on here all the time. You just have to keep offering them. Is he full grown?

 

[jamest0o0]

Switch from Dubia to discoid or something else a little more active. “Starve”(not actually) your Cham a bit. They can go weeks being choosy eaters. Don’t be afraid to let an adult go awhile. Just keep offering them until he takes them.

 

[JacksJill]

Feeder runs with a screen back get the roaches climbing up where they attract more attention. I also hand feed dubia by flipping them on their back in a spoon. They wave their legs a lot trying to flip over and that kind of motion draws a chameleon. It's how I start all my babies on dubia. Using tongs is too risky because you never want an accidental tug-o-war with their tongue.

spoon feeding

Feeder runs attached to the screen (Shooting Gallery Feeder runs) they had dubia in them but my girls like to eat.

 

[pepesocute81]

If I gave him greens while waiting for him to eat the roaches is that fine, or should I just plainly give him nothing? It’s odd how he clears big bowls of greens but still is pick about roaches.

 

[JacksJill]

I will let the veiled owners confirm this but I don't believe feeding greens directly is recommended for veiled. I know they like to munch plants but the jury is out on if they get any food value from greens or just moisture. You do need to be careful what greens they get as some plants like spinach bind calcium and others are high in goitrogens.

 

[Chance307]

Feeder runs with a screen back get the roaches climbing up where they attract more attention. I also hand feed dubia by flipping them on their back in a spoon. They wave their legs a lot trying to flip over and that kind of motion draws a chameleon. It's how I start all my babies on dubia. Using tongs is too risky because you never want an accidental tug-o-war with their tongue.

View attachment 363069
spoon feeding

View attachment 363070
Feeder runs attached to the screen (Shooting Gallery Feeder runs) they had dubia in them but my girls like to eat.

Hi! I know this thread is old, but I just came across it.
I was wondering how these screen feeders are? I currently feed mine from a little clear jello plastic cup that's placed in the middle of a plant.
Would it be okay for me to switch to a screen feeder? Do you think he would find his food?
Also, do they hold crickets as well? I have a duabi roach kit on the way so it'll probably be a while until I have enough of them to be fed to him.

 

[PNW_Cham]

Hi! I know this thread is old, but I just came across it.
I was wondering how these screen feeders are? I currently feed mine from a little clear jello plastic cup that's placed in the middle of a plant.
Would it be okay for me to switch to a screen feeder? Do you think he would find his food?
Also, do they hold crickets as well? I have a duabi roach kit on the way so it'll probably be a while until I have enough of them to be fed to him.

I had one of those screen feeders and it was great for roaches but not sure about crickets, I think they would just jump out? I honestly got lazy and took it down and started feeding my guy his dusted roaches by placing the roach on the screen door of his enclosure (holding it half open). Roach will race across the door, so a lot of movement; my cham loves that so he hurries on over. I do often need to move the roach back to the "starting" point a few times if it's a fast one. He really, really enjoys zapping them while they are on the run across the screen up to the corner of the door... This obviously takes longer to feed him but watching him eat is part of the fun.

 

[Chance307]

I had one of those screen feeders and it was great for roaches but not sure about crickets, I think they would just jump out? I honestly got lazy and took it down and started feeding my guy his dusted roaches by placing the roach on the screen door of his enclosure (holding it half open). Roach will race across the door, so a lot of movement; my cham loves that so he hurries on over. I do often need to move the roach back to the "starting" point a few times if it's a fast one. He really, really enjoys zapping them while they are on the run across the screen up to the corner of the door... This obviously takes longer to feed him but watching him eat is part of the fun.

That sounds great also!!!
Mine doesn't trust me yet. He hides when I open the cage door

 

[JacksJill]

Hi! I know this thread is old, but I just came across it.
I was wondering how these screen feeders are? I currently feed mine from a little clear jello plastic cup that's placed in the middle of a plant.
Would it be okay for me to switch to a screen feeder? Do you think he would find his food?
Also, do they hold crickets as well? I have a duabi roach kit on the way so it'll probably be a while until I have enough of them to be fed to him.

I very rarely lose crickets. Usually only when I’m clumsy putting them in. They tend to congregate under the roof edge of the feeder thinking they are hidden. The key is to get it tightly on the screen during installation and the dubia won’t get out.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I have to find a way to get my own chameleon to eat roaches. He has ignored the roaches completely but crickets.

 

[nightanole]

I have to find a way to get my own chameleon to eat roaches. He has ignored the roaches completely but crickets.

Just convince him with "more bug, less chew".

But really the only thing that worked for me is "trail mix" feeder cup with lots of different feeders, and hope for a few misses. I did have one person, a desperate soul, glue a upside down cricket on a dubia with a dot of honey...

 

[Jeevesieb]

I'm a little extra, so this may not work for you, but my guy is very food motivated. He only gets 3 feeders every other day. So I hold the cup and shake it a bit to make the roaches move or flip over on their backs. That usually gets him to take the first one. I just stand there for a few minutes, holding the cup and shaking it gently every 30 seconds or so and he snaps them all up pretty quickly.