Darcy's Diet Recipe and Prep
Daily Staple: Zookeeper's Secret is offered daily as a staple. Be sure that it is the original brand/manufacturer to ensure quality and balance. There are similar brands from Exotic Nutrition and Mazuri, but their formulas are different.
Enrichment Supplement: Nekton brand nectar is offered nightly. It is a multivitamin and protein supplement originally developed for birds. It has a calcium phosphorus ratio of 1:1; therefore, it cannot be relied upon as a calcium supplement.
Daily Vitamin/Mineral Supplement: Mix one can of Ensure* (8 oz) with 380 mg (3/8 teaspoon) calcium carbonate . Do not use chocolate Ensure; vanilla or strawberry formulas are best. You can optionally add 1/4 teaspoon of acacia gum from Exotic Nutrition or Amazon .
Presentation:
- Feed about 1 tablespoon of protein source per glider: insects, mealworms, chicken, duck meat, crickets, wax worms, or egg. Use caution with crickets. Remove uneaten food daily and adjust amounts fed as needed.
- Feed about 2 tablespoons of chopped fruits and vegetables. Use a variety of fruits and vegetables that are sugar glider safe. Do not use large amounts of any one item. Remove uneaten food daily and adjust amounts fed as needed.
- Offer 2 to 3 tablespoons of Ensure mixture per glider in a bowl. Do not put it in a bottle because the calcium may clog the tube. Remove uneaten food daily and adjust amounts fed as needed.
- Zookeeper's Secret/Insectivore-Fare should be left in the cage. Change out food as needed.
This diet is especially useful for gliders who are malnourished or recovering from illness. It is based on using Ensure plus calcium as the nutritional supplement.
*Sustagen is the European equivalent.
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