Another roach question

[lefty_mussolini]

Anybody know any advantages or disadvantages of feeding roaches (lobster or discoid) as opposed to crickets? They seem easier to breed and keep, and they don't stink like crickets but I can't find much in the way of nutritional facts. They need to start puttin' those labels on insects too.

 

[DAND]

Like with crickets, you get out what you put in. If you have healthy roaches you'll have healthy animals.

I also believe that crickets bite but roaches don't. I have never been bitten by a roach but have been by crickets.

 

[Reptileking636]

they have more protein than crickets

 

[lefty_mussolini]

Thank you very much. Roaches it is.

 

[Arnold8169]

Roaches vs. Crickets...

Simply put.....

You feed off crickets before they all die, you feed roaches when your colony is established!

Buy 1000 crickets for 20 bucks and 200 lobster roaches for the same price. If you have a couple of herps, feed them the crickets until they all die, then you should have a roach colony established enough to be thriving to where you need no other live protein.

They don't stink, they don't make much noise, they are very efficient with waste and food. They are more nutritious, and all around a better feeder. When all herpers get out of the mentality of roaches "infesting" their house, you will see them become the most popular feeder insect.

All I do for mine is give them some sort of dry dog/cat food or chicken feed as subtrate in a plastic tub with plenty of egg crates. I feed them organic foods such as potatoes, apples, lettuce, every couple of days and mist their cage daily. I heat things up a bit with an infared heat lamp and that's about it.

Hope this helps!

Jeff Janes

 

[beardiedragon]

They increase the color of the animal they are fed to
Even the picky eaters like them
They are easier to digest than mealies, supers and even crix
Their meat to shell ratio is better than crix
They are easy to raise and care for

 

[robin d.]

ok i have a question. i know that cricket eating animals can pick up pin worms from crickets... is this a parasite (pins) that roaches can harbor? and essencially tranfered from feeder roaches to our cricket eating reeptiles?

 

[beardiedragon]

parasites can come from so many places. Live prey, greens, water... yes water. Water can contain harmful microbes, bacteria and parasites. That in turn can be passed on by washing greens or bathing.

The most dangerous threat is fungus. When feed for crix or roaches gets moist, fungus and mold grow that can be past on to your BD and can be fatal.

 

[sipep]

Feeder roach nutrition

You are going to get more calcium and protein from roaches because they have a heavier exosekelton than crickets. The most important fact is what you feed them. Roaches hold a much higher gutload.. so you can get more into your roaches for your reptiles. Be sure to check out my site http://www.smokingroach.com