Melinus Feeding - Page 2

jarich · 05-14-12, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg M

Hence the reason why I said high quality dog foods. A major misconception is that high protein diets cause high uric acid levels. Purine is actually the culprit. Purine is mostly in organ meats like livers, kidneys, hearts, and such. You can offer a high protein dog food diet without offering a diet with high prurine levels. Cricket and roach diets are too low in protein and too high in calcium for my liking. Calcium is not good for inverts.

It is proven that most feeder roaches do not do well on low protein diets. Not with scientific literature, but by many roach breeders. When on low protein diets, you will see many chewed wings and even deformed wings. You will also see higher death rates before adulthood is reached and lots cannibalization. These issues are almost nonexistant when they are on high protein diets.

I have been breeding, raising, and feeding off roaches since the early 2000's without any problems. I know from personal experience that high protein roach diets along with daily greens will increase production and keep your roaches from eating eachother.

Our roach colonies are thriving to the point where I have to give them away to keep numbers down and the reptiles that eat them are thriving as well. No need for me to change it up and from what I have experienced, I would recommend others do the same as me. I have seen nothing negative from feeding my roaches dog food. Only possitives here, even over many years. Some of my leos are well past the 10 year mark. And that is the only reason I disagree with you on this subject and only this subject. Unfotunately, even really cool, like minded folks like us cant agree on everything. LOL

Couldnt agree more with that last statement! I actually kind of look forward to our few disagreements. Its nice to have a debate with an intelligent person who is also cool about it.

Again, context is everything too. This is not something that I think would show effects on a healthy animal, its something that could definitely be a problem for an unhealthy or dehydrated animal fed a consistent diet of high uric acid roaches. Also, I can imagine it being less problematic if, like you do, people also feed fresh vegetables and other foods. Roaches are actually pretty good at eating what they need to fulfill their nutritional requirements. If they are only fed the dog food, I can see it being a real problem.

From my own experience, the only time I find I have chewed wings is when I am not providing enough food in general. I make my own dry food, and its all plant based, so there is never meat protein in their diet. Mine grow and breed like crazy. (The only problem I have is that I got a small beetle infestation a little while back and cant seem to get rid of the little buggers. They breed even faster than the roaches!)

Rullom, I suppose its up to you man. Gregg has had no problems using HIGH quality dog food, so I might be making a mountain out of a molehill. Ive had no problems not using dog food though, so Ill err on the side of caution I guess. (Either way, please dont use the cheap crap) At the end of the day its your lizard!

Gregg M · 05-14-12, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

(The only problem I have is that I got a small beetle infestation a little while back and cant seem to get rid of the little buggers. They breed even faster than the roaches!)

Take those little beetles and put them in your varanid cages. They will make a super clean up crew.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Rullom, I suppose its up to you man. Gregg has had no problems using HIGH quality dog food, so I might be making a mountain out of a molehill. Ive had no problems not using dog food though, so Ill err on the side of caution I guess. (Either way, please dont use the cheap crap) At the end of the day its your lizard!

Just to add to this.
Rullom,
I would take what has been stated by both sides of the debate. Maybe start out with doing a bit of both and either stay inbetween or lean more to one side or the other. The information might be a bit conflicting but it also comes from two sources who have been doing things their way without any issues other than some beetles LOL, which in my opinion, is not a problem at all. And I agree, do not use the cheap crap.