Insect Feeders for Quail (and a Leopard Gecko)

[Kusanar]

I just realized I didn’t ask my question .
I wanted to know if there were other insects I should consider like red worms, night crawlers, crickets, etc? I want to make sure our quail have plenty of protein. Does any have advice on when to introduce insects to the diet?

Thanks, for the information so far. It’s been really helpful.

I haven't raised any of those others you listed, but I have not heard good things about crickets. Apparently they are stinky and (obviously) noisy. With the mealworms they don't have much smell unless you stir their bedding up (then it is just a fine dust of worm poop) or let their food rot or bedding mold. you can hear them moving around, but it's not loud, just a slight rustling noise.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

I just realized I didn’t ask my question .
I wanted to know if there were other insects I should consider like red worms, night crawlers, crickets, etc? I want to make sure our quail have plenty of protein. Does any have advice on when to introduce insects to the diet?

Thanks, for the information so far. It’s been really helpful.

Crickets are annoying to breed because they may single eggs and need several rotational tubs to breed in. Worth it if you don’t mind the hassle, but there are so many livebearing roaches out there that don’t smell as bad and need less protein, less substrate, etc. They do love to chase after fast jumpy prey though.
In my experience the annelid worms mentioned here are at the bottom of quail’s bug choices. They’ll eat them, but definitely not a favorite. Soldierfly larvae (BSF, Phoenix worms, etc) are a good treat if you compost with them or buy them dried.

I offer mealworms starting day three or four. While that may seem really early I only squeeze out the innards and discard the shell (like a tube of toothpaste, haha) so there’s no need for grit, although you can definitely provide some coarse sand if you’re worried. Once they’re strong enough to rip apart the mealworms, I let them take bites of it or cut it up so that it’s easier to digest. While it definitely isn’t necessary to offer treats that early I found that it made all of mine very tame and extremely happy to see me, good behavior to start building from a very early age!