Insectivore Diet

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PREPARING .FOOD

(A mixed diet with mealworm, cricket and wax worm)  + zophoba + silk worm

DO NEVER USE DRIED INSECTS!

The optimal way to keep the mealworms would be on substrate, as is the food that nurtures de larvae and may provide extra intake of nutrients. Once we have large size larvae it may be advisable to keep them in the refrigerator (5 Cº). The low temperature reduces the metabolism of the insect, maintaining the larval stage for a longer period of time.

Mealworm is a species of beetle of the family Tenebrionidae which follows a cycle of four different stages in their life: egg, larva, pupa and adult. It is best known for its larval form. We use mainly larvae, however pupa and adult is also used in less quantity on the diet.

We use frozen crickets. To remove the frozen crickets’ legs they are placed in a closed container, then we shake it so the legs fall apart. This process is not to reduce the amount of quitina but to obtain a capsule shaped cricket which is easier to feed swifts with. Cricket is easier to provide on age condition or stages when the swift refuses or is more reluctant to be fed, as the cricket have a capsule shape and can be placed deep down.

The important fact is the insect supplementation with minerals and vitamins. ONLY ONE FEEDING A DAY we dust the insects with vitamin and minerals.

Mealworm and crickets are deficient in some nutrients, a negative point shared by all the insects that are produced commercially. The nutritional composition of commercially insects has been studied by some authors, showing that it can be incomplete without adequate supplementation. This means that any of these commercial insects should always be supplemented before its use as food, especially when used as a species unique to the diet.

For example it is necessary for calcium and phosphorus are balanced in a 1.5:1 to 2:1 to prevent the development of bone diseases and contribute to good health and proper growth.
Many of the insects produced commercially, like mealworms and crickets show inverse ratios of phosphorous and calcium. In addition, the insects are also deficient in vitamins such as A and D, essential for good growth of the chick. On the other hand adding extra supplementation in excess can cause serious health problems in the chicks, including an excessive intake of calcium may cause kidney damage or excessive vitamin A may interfere with the growth of bones.

It is essential to strictly monitor the diet preparation and know they can be as bad as too much supplementation as a lack of supplementation

VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION

Make a daily sprinkle of vitamin over the insect mixture on one feeding a day. The sprinkle must be light and coating the insects. We should consider the risk of excessive supplementation (It is the best do the supplementation at same feeding time, so we won’t forget it).

We use two brands of vitamin and mineral supplementation, on alternative days.

An additional contribution of vitamin B is really important. It is recommended to administer because its deficiency can cause serious problems for the chicks, mainly neurological.

The complex can be administered orally (less intrusive and recommended) or subcutaneously (more intrusive).

Our protocol suggests oral administration, less intrusive. The dose is very low: an insect wet with complex vitamin (liquid) once a week.

FEEDINGS AND AMOUNTS

The rehabilitator must define strict timetables for the feedings, recommending for feathered chicks, a feeding maximum every 3 hours and if possible every 2 hours.

In young chicks (naked) and poor conditions the intervals should be extended to 1:30, with less quantity.

The amount of food can vary depending on many factors such as age or physical condition. A chick of Common Swift could eat about 20 grams of insects a day. In nature it has been observed a nest with two chicks where parents provided 50 grams of insects.[/paragraph]