Crickets-Dead or Alive?

[HedgieSpirit]

I got Chloe some live crickets today. I am finally trying them with her to see if she likes them seeing as she showed no interest in meal worms. I was wondering what the best way to feed them to her would be. Should I just put them in her cage live? Could she actually catch them if they were still alive? Or should I kill them first. Also, I have about 17 crickets and since I'm obviously not going to feed them all to her at once, what do I do with the rest of them?

[jules_77]

if you put them in the freezer they will be dead and easier for her to eat then you can save the other ones too!

[HedgieSpirit]

Sounds good, then I don't have to physically kill them...

[jules_77]

yah i haven't got crickets for brair yet but i don't want to kill them either make sure you defrost them first!

[HedgieSpirit]

Alright :) Thanks.

[PrettyHate]

Ive heard of people putting their hedgie in the bathtub, and putting the cricket in there for them to catch. Less chance of the cricket getting out that way.

This is kinna icky, and Ive personally never done it cause Id feel too bad but if your hedgie has a hard time catching them live, you could always remove one, or both of the hind legs.

For killing, the freezer method works, as does putting them in boiling water (kills them instantly)

If you want to keep them alive, get a small plastic container, punch some holes in the top, but some bran cereal in the bottom, along with a slice of orange, apple, or potatoe (for them to get water from) and keep them in a warm (but not too hot) spot. They should stay just fine :)

[HedgieSpirit]

Thanks for the suggestions :) I put them in the freezer for a little while so they would slow down enough for me to see if she would actually eat them. She did! It took her a while but once she figured out what they were, she gobbled them down :laugh: They are starting to warm up and move again. I'm not sure if they will fully recover...I think they should. If they don't then I think I'll boil them to put them out of their misery. I think that I may try letting her chase them in the bathtub sometime. It sounds like it would be fun for her and pretty cute to watch. :)

[PrettyHate]

Ive heard its adorable to watch :) My boy is the worlds laziest bum though, and wont bat an eye at any food he has to move for.

PS- Great idea about putting them in the freezer only long enough for them to slow down...I never even thought of that! :rolleyes:

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

I put mine in the freezer, but I kinda like the idea of the bathtub trick...I only feed dead ones so far, cause she lives in a rabbit cage which has about a 6 inch high bottom and then the rest is coated wire horizontal bars and I know they will escape and be all around the house. She literally pounces on all of the bugs I have given her even though they were already dead. I think she would love to chase a cricket in the tub.....my only concern is that the tub is so cold being porcelain....anyone ever encounter a problem with that?

I also feed her silk worms, snails and meal worms all dead :Pukey: ....but i am going to try the meal worms in the fridge instead of the freezer so she will have live food that can't get out of her treat dish. :slurp: I don't really love how the bugs look once they defrost......all black and yucky, and I always wonder if she would like fresh better.

[PeaceB2U]

I buy canned crickets to feed to my hedgie. I can purchase a can for around $5 and it will last me for around a month. He absolutely loves them. Plus I don't have to worry about live crickets hopping around my house.