Here is what I do...

Posted by Mothman on July 23, 2002 at 16:36:24:

In Reply to: calcium posted by jeffboren on July 22, 2002 at 22:48:50:

I gut-load crickets on egg-laying mash for hens. This is high in calcium and vitamin D3 (reptiles and birds require the same form of many vitamins). D3 is essential for calcium absorbtion. I also coat the crickets with a mix of Rep-Cal's Calcium/D3 supplement and ZooMed's Reptivite. The reason I do this-Reptivite is high in vitamin A; it actually has more vitamin A than D3. An imbalance of the vitamin A/D3 ratio can interfere clacium absorbtion in lizards and other animals. To correct this imbalance, I add the calcium/D3 supplement to the Reptivite. This mix is used to dust five suitably sized crickets which are offered to my adult animals every other day, young animals and egg-laying females every day. I alternate with other food items once or twice week-Phelsumas get baby food and waxworms, leopard gecko gets a pinkie or mealworms instead of crickets.

One final note: UV lights are not needed for calcium absorbtion. In fact, they may be totally worthless. I don't use UV lights for any of my animals. I do, however, use full spectrum lights that mimic sunlight to a degree and can work wonders on an animal's appetite and behavior.

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: I gut-load crickets on egg-laying mash for hens. This is high in calcium and vitamin D3 (reptiles and birds require the same form of many vitamins). D3 is essential for calcium absorbtion. I also coat the crickets with a mix of Rep-Cal's Calcium/D3 supplement and ZooMed's Reptivite. The reason I do this-Reptivite is high in vitamin A; it actually has more vitamin A than D3. An imbalance of the vitamin A/D3 ratio can interfere clacium absorbtion in lizards and other animals. To correct this imbalance, I add the calcium/D3 supplement to the Reptivite. This mix is used to dust five suitably sized crickets which are offered to my adult animals every other day, young animals and egg-laying females every day. I alternate with other food items once or twice week-Phelsumas get baby food and waxworms, leopard gecko gets a pinkie or mealworms instead of crickets. : One final note: UV lights are not needed for calcium absorbtion. In fact, they may be totally worthless. I don't use UV lights for any of my animals. I do, however, use full spectrum lights that mimic sunlight to a degree and can work wonders on an animal's appetite and behavior.

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