Enhancing the Nutritional Value of Feeder Insects for Captive Animals

Introduction

Feeder insects play a crucial role in the diets of captive reptiles, animals, and birds. Insect Booster is a specially formulated diet designed to enrich the insects themselves, ensuring that the nutrients are incorporated into their body tissue. This process significantly improves the nutritional value of the insects when they are used as food for captive species.

Challenges in Captive Diets

Insectivorous species kept in captivity often face challenges in obtaining a diet that matches the diversity and quality found in their natural habitats. Commonly, feeder insects are kept on nutrient-poor substrates such as bran, which fails to meet their nutritional requirements and can result in various deficiencies. Additionally, insects do not possess a skeletal structure, making them a poor source of calcium for animals that rely on them as their primary food.

Benefits of Using Insect Booster

Maintaining live feeder insects on Insect Booster substantially enhances their nutritional profile. This approach helps provide captive animals with essential amino acids, fatty acids (including omega 3 and 6), vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids that promote healthy colouring. Compared to the practice of “gut-loading” insects raised on inadequate diets, feeding insects with Insect Booster ensures more consistent and effective nutritional improvement for the animals consuming them.