Bugs for a flyer..

[Jester]

I read that flyers are mostly insecivores, so I think this is important for me to do more research on for him. At first I was very skittish about feeding live bugs, I fed him canned. Honestly the thought of them being alive and somewhere in my room makes me itch a bit, but Jester demands that I feed him live ones so live one's he'll get.. :bowdown I've so far given him mealworms, and I'm currently giving him wax worms which I actually prefer a lot more because the mealworms remind me of centipedes which I cant stand, but despite the waxworms looking like maggots I can at least convince myself they're caterpillars.. they're moth caterpillars so technically they are.. (just keep thinking it, just keep thinking it, just keep thinking it...) :poke

But I have a lot of questions regarding bugs for my baby.

1. I have one flyer, he's about 5 months old. Currently feeding him wax worms. How many wax worms should I be feeding him and how often? What type of bug is most recommended for him, and what amount? Also, nowhere around here sells "phoenix worms" so those are out..

2. Should I switch up the type of bugs I offer him, or just keep offering him the one that's best for him?

3. With one flyer, would it be worthwhile or better for me to breed bugs for one single flyer, or does he need a small enough amount that I should just keep buying them for him?

4. And If I should breed them, what sort of bug is most recommended/easiest for breeding, and how would I do it?

5. And my last question, I tend to get an abundance of spider-crickets in my house this time of year. I usually just scoop them up and release them outside. Would those be harmful to give to him?

I would really appreciate your help and expertise with this subject! Thank you so much in advance!

:thankyou

[Jester]

...none? :(

[CritterMom]

I can't comment because I don't know enough about flyers to do so, but www.exoticnutrition.com sells the Phoenix worms if you want them.

[Jester]

I can't comment because I don't know enough about flyers to do so, but www.exoticnutrition.com sells the Phoenix worms if you want them.
Ah, thank you. I'll try some of those. :D

------------------------------------------------

Well aside from the flyer factor, can anyone help me with the other general questions?

1. What sort of bug is most recommended/easiest for breeding, and how would I do it?

And-

2. Does anyone know if spider crickets are safe or harmful for a squirrel to eat?

I would really really appreciate it. :grouphug

[muffinsquirrel]

Sorry, but I have no idea what a spider cricket is.:thinking


When the weather is warm, I catch moths, etc, that come to the porch light. OK, I don't really catch and feed them - I get Lance or my son to do it....I won't touch those squirmy things! I find that my flyers are very happy with freeze dried chicken, and it doesn't squirm at all! Also Chicken Chips (dog treat, 100% chicken), and freeze dried meal worms. I do occasionally feed live meal worms, but I just dump them straight from the container into their feed bowl. And then I leave - I don't stick around to see, or hear, the feeding frenzy. So now you know - I am truly a coward! But I DO make sure my little monsters get their protien.

muffinsquirrel

[Jester]

Sorry, but I have no idea what a spider cricket is.:thinking


When the weather is warm, I catch moths, etc, that come to the porch light. OK, I don't really catch and feed them - I get Lance or my son to do it....I won't touch those squirmy things! I find that my flyers are very happy with freeze dried chicken, and it doesn't squirm at all! Also Chicken Chips (dog treat, 100% chicken), and freeze dried meal worms. I do occasionally feed live meal worms, but I just dump them straight from the container into their feed bowl. And then I leave - I don't stick around to see, or hear, the feeding frenzy. So now you know - I am truly a coward! But I DO make sure my little monsters get their protein.

muffinsquirrel

Haha, thank you muffinsquirrel.
Should I give him a protein source like freeze dried chicken or bugs every night, or just a few times a week?

And this is a spider-cricket.. kinda like a cricket with extra long legs that can climb walls and walk across ceilings. Creepy looking things, but I always just took them as harmless and would shoo them outside. but I'm just not sure if they're safe to be edible, like normal crickets or not.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RSy5enBBseY/THV5YW_m4iI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/y0Q4p_0mAzw/s1600/camel+cricket.jpg

[Skul]

I would emagine the crickets would be just fine.
If you wish to try raising your own bugs, mealworms are the easiest.

[Ardilla]

For protein I give Chicken Chips and other freeze dried chicken dog treats, freeze dried meal worms, and (their favorite), live waxworms. I buy the waxworms locally and keep the containers in the fridge, and I use a hemostat (from an ER visit) to feed them so I don't have to touch them.

[Jester]

I would emagine the crickets would be just fine.
If you wish to try raising your own bugs, mealworms are the easiest.
Oh okay, thank you. That's very helpful. I'm really considering breeding bugs. I find it very strange that it costs me probably close to 12 cents per live bug to feed Jester when its cost me as little as 9 cents per frozen food in bulk to feed the snakes.. That just seems a bit off to me.. :thinking


For protein I give Chicken Chips and other freeze dried chicken dog treats, freeze dried meal worms, and (their favorite), live waxworms. I buy the waxworms locally and keep the containers in the fridge, and I use a hemostat (from an ER visit) to feed them so I don't have to touch them.
I've tried giving him regular cooked chicken with no success, maybe ill have better luck with the dog treats..
thank you Ardilla. :)

So from what I'm reading it looks like variety of protein sources is good, I'll try ordering a bunch of stuff tonight. Thank you everyone for your advice on this. Although if anyone has any additional advice or could teach me how to breed the buggies, I certainly wouldn't turn it down. :thankyou

[Ardilla]

These (http://www.amazon.com/VitaLife-Chicken-Chips-5-7oz-Treats/dp/B004L6JIFC/ref=pd_sim_k_3) are the Chicken Chips muffinsquirrel and I use.

[pappy1264]

I feed waxworms (I feed the worm, but when they cocoon, I also feed that, as well as when they turn into moths....my flyers go crazy for the waxworm moths!!!! So do my gliders...lol And as moths, they actually have a better ca/ph ratio, too!) I also feed the freeze dried chicken and the chicken poppers (they love both), as well as a cooked chicken wing every now and then! lol Only Rocket will eat mealworms, though (Cashew used to until she tasted waxworms! lol)

[Jester]

I ordered the chicken chips ardilla posted, they also came very highly recommended by Mrs Skul along with the freeze dried chicken and the poppers. I found some freeze dried chicken today, I've just got to find the poppers and I'm set. :thumbsup

I would love to watch the wax worms turn into moths and watch Jester chase them, when they turn into moths, are they small or big? Like would they be big enough to remain trapped inside a cage with half inch spacing or would they get out?