Feeding Crickets

rrmartins · Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:13 pm

I'm going to try the cavities first. I can check at five thirty and see if they ate them. I will be doing the eggs as well.

Todd Wright · Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:07 pm

I now have my bluebirds coming to the pan and eating egg when the martins will let them. I have now put a plate of eggs and crickets (have to get more meal worms) out for the bluebirds at a different area hoping the bluebirds will start feeding here and not with the martins.

rrmartins · Fri Feb 27, 2015 4:49 pm

We just gave them a big meal. Two stayed in for the ride down, always great when they do that. The rest flew right back in. They all looked ok to us. Will repeat around 8 in the morning.

KathyF · Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:00 pm

You guys rock! Thanks for taking such good care of them. It's a lot of work, but well worth it - especially when the rough weather is over!
Hang in there!
If it's still bad next week, don't forget that if you contact Reptilefoods, they can usually get the food to you pretty quickly and it's cheaper - much cheaper than buying at a pet store.

Matt@atx · Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:16 pm

Hi Louise and anyone else who may know too,

On the scrambled eggs and I know this has been instructed in years past here but may I inquire again about preparation of the eggs.

Just regular scrambled eggs and then chop it to cricket size pieces? I would think do not add olive oil or any type of cooking oil to the pan.

KathyF · Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:29 pm

You're right - NO additives - I would crack 4-5 eggs in a bowl, add a bit of water, scramble really well with a fork. Add a few drops of water to a non-stick pan, pour in the eggs and cook - flip it over and cook on the other side. Remove from pan and place on cutting board - cut into slightly smaller than a dime -size.

Water only!

Bruntdog did a fantastic video on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdbY1Rn_hwg

rrmartins · Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:44 pm

We put 200 crickets and 4 scrambled eggs in 3 cavities. There were eight that came out and two that stayed in. Four of them came out of the compartment that the two stayed in, and the other four were paired up in separate compartments. So how much do they need for breakfast? The ice pellets have just started falling here, warmer tomorrow with rain.

We did not add anything, or use spray, just non stick pan. Thanks a lot.
Love the video, gives me a reason to go to DQ for a plastic spoon or two.

Matt@atx · Fri Feb 27, 2015 9:14 pm

KathyF wrote:You're right - NO additives - I would crack 4-5 eggs in a bowl, add a bit of water, scramble really well with a fork. Add a few drops of water to a non-stick pan, pour in the eggs and cook - flip it over and cook on the other side. Remove from pan and place on cutting board - cut into slightly smaller than a dime -size.

Water only!

Bruntdog did a fantastic video on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdbY1Rn_hwg

Thank you Kathy!

Brunt Dog's video rocks. very clear and right to the how, easy to understand. Good instructor.

rrmartins · Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:50 am

Is it ok to lower house in freezing rain?

KathyF · Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:18 am

I would not flush them out in freezing rain.....if they get wet, that's more deadly...

KathyF · Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:20 am

RR- if you want to chat over the phone, email your phone # to this email address: [email protected].

Then you won't have to wait for forum replies...

rrmartins · Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:24 am

They did not eat the eggs or crickets. Found a ASY male dead in cavitie.

KathyF · Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:53 am

-just a followup to our conversation -
order the 1"
Figure 40 crickets per martin...

https://www.reptilefood.com/ProductDeta ... ode=CR1000

pmartinlover2 · Sat Feb 28, 2015 2:30 pm

Very good video by Bruntman. Thanks for the info, Kathy. Certainly wish this weather would change---feel so bad for our southern landlords and their martins.
______
Jody

~Ray~Gingerich · Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:18 pm

It's hard to save martins that are already in a weakened condition, but if you can get them to eat on their own when food is offered they sometimes improve, you can provide a little boost by soaking crickets in a bird vitamin solution.

rrmartins · Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:48 pm

Well, losing hope now. Cold, light rain all day. In lower 60s tomorrow with smaller chance of rain.

rrmartins · Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:18 am

Well, cold rain still falling today. The warmer weather forecasted is not here, and won't be till Tuesday or Wedensday. Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes. It's been 3 1/2 days since ours ate last, surely they will die today if not already.

KathyF · Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:55 am

RR - they will surprise you with their resilience. Don't give up!

After our chat yesterday, I took the plunge and ordered my crickets. We only have about 3 weeks left before our martins will be here. I'm hoping they stay south a bit later this year.

Don't know if you've seen this yet, but it's a great video on feeding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdbY1Rn_hwg

rrmartins · Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:33 am

Well, as suspected, all our martins died. Good luck everyone trying to keep them alive.

Louise Chambers · Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:42 am

I'm so sorry! You worked hard to help them, it's this rotten awful weather. The only bright spot is that it is pretty early in the season and more martins are coming - but that does not lessen the sadness. Thank you for trying so hard.