GENTLES

[kenny66]

i ordered a large number of gentles on line but dont know what medium I put them into and store them so the y dont turn into flies-can someone give me some quick help please or a number for the frogs.org.au people
their web contact number is disconnected
thanks
kenny

[natamambo]

Keep them in their shipping medium in an open container (eg ice cream container) in the fridge, they'll keep that way for 2-3 weeks without any issues.

They're raised on a mix and shipped in bran.

[Fincho162]

As a "maggotoholic" the best thing wold be to get them out of the bran and into pollard or wheat germ ASAP.
Ideally I'd let them wriggle about in the pollard until a few start to pupate then sieve them out again, replace the pollard with fresh and then put 'em in the fridge.
That way they are gut loaded with pollard NOT bran - Phytic acid and all that!!!
HTH

[kenny66]

As a "maggotoholic" the best thing wold be to get them out of the bran and into pollard or wheat germ ASAP.
Ideally I'd let them wriggle about in the pollard until a few start to pupate then sieve them out again, replace the pollard with fresh and then put 'em in the fridge.
That way they are gut loaded with pollard NOT bran - Phytic acid and all that!!!
HTH

I put them in the wheat germ as advised-some have pupated and i put them all in the fridge but frog.org sent me a lot more than i expected. How long will they last in the fridge without causing a fly problem. Do I put carrot in like I do with mealworms. how many to feed each day-i have them in a plastic cotainer twice the size of a ice cream container. These are calci gents by the way.

thanks for the help

Kenny

[Fincho162]

Not sure what a calci gent is, sorry, seems an odd title for something in bran though!!!!
But no idea what they are but I'm sure one of the vets lurking about here could elborate in more detail.

I only keep mine in the fridge to feed out but you's have to be careful that you shake them up twice a day otherwise they settle out and the bottom layer gets squashed and is useless for feeding.
If your pollard looks wet and miserable sieve them out of it and replace - should prolong the life of the maggots.
From my experience they aren't actually doing anything while in the fridge and I've never had them actaully hatch in there - I suspect the cold causes some suspension of growth.

So if you ensure your medium is clean and shake them up to stop clumping and congealing they should last you until they are used up.
Never had any in there over 2 weeks..........but they were fine after that time..........long as u shake & Clean!!!!!

Cause depends upon the temp of your fridge to a degree............

[kenny66]

thanks for your help-i will do as you suggest-by the way can you freeze them and will the birds take them frozen

thanks

kenny

[Fincho162]

Sorry my friend I've never frozen them but imagine they'd go to mush - however, thus saying, they do freeze termites.

Meant to add yesterdee that try and keep the medium dry when in the fridge and you'll be fine.

[kenny66]

Sorry my friend I've never frozen them but imagine they'd go to mush - however, thus saying, they do freeze termites.

Meant to add yesterdee that try and keep the medium dry when in the fridge and you'll be fine.

Thanks fincho-got it down pat now i think-not sure why i am so uncertain about maggots! the birds nearly knocked me over getting to them and they were a great hit. The frog.org people wrote to say you can freeze them but i decided against it. If you use mini mealworms how do you sieve them out of the weat germ to seperate-at the moment i am picking them out a couple at a time

Thanks
Kenny