Feeders for slings

[HopeisallIvegot]

So, I need to buy more feeders for my first sling. It's a 3/4" B smithi.
<edit> should I just buy mealworms for now and chop them until it gets larger? The small roaches were perfect and I highly doubt the chain pet stores have baby roaches specifically right? We don't have any personal insect/reptile businesses in my town so unless I take a drive, a chain store is my only option.
<edit>
I am somewhat considering starting a colony myself, but not sure if it's worth it for only 1-3 small slings. What are your thoughts, community??
Also: are mealworms too "fatty" to feed your sling them regularly and consistently? I've heard this for lizards but not slings.
I also don't necessarily want to mess with crickets while it is this small because I just don't trust it quite yet.
Any ideas guys? I'd love all the input. What are your favorite go to feeders? Do you power feed and why/why not? Thanks! Pic of my new sling attached.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I say, unless you have more than fifteen tarantulas to feed, having a feeder insect colony is a bit over kill. It’s better to buy a small amount of feeder insects when you need them.

Also: are mealworms too "fatty" to feed your sling them regularly and consistently? I've heard this for lizards but not slings.

Just ignore it. Many experienced keepers solely feed mealworms / superworms to their tarantulas, from slings to adults with no problem.

 

[mack1855]

should I just buy mealworms for now and chop them until it gets larger?

You just answered your own question,right there.Perfect solution, its what all seasoned keepers do.

 

[Dorifto]

You can use baby lateralis, or some small isopods too if you don't want to chop mealworms and crush their heads

 

[8 legged]

I feed what's here right now! So far, no sling has refused pre-killed food!

 

[Smotzer]

I personally don’t follow the “don’t consider a roach colony unless you have X tarantulas” roaches are a lot of fun to keep and make great pets. If you are interested in getting some nymphs get a colony just for the hell of it. Roaches are awesome in general.

You can feed any type of feeder solely like mealworms and it doesn’t matter, you can use just one, or a variety, no difference. Use what feeder works for you and what you like.

we can’t recommend sellers I don’t believe.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Roach nymphs are perfect but finding them for sale regularly could be a pain. You could stock up and give them the scissor treatment as they outgrow your spiders but for a few slings, mealworms will be much more simple.
There is nothing wrong with a one feeder diet.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I personally don’t follow the “don’t consider a roach colony unless you have X tarantulas” roaches are a lot of fun to keep and make great pets.

I do agree with you.

The reason why I do not usually recommend it is because of efficiency. Why pay $10-15 for 15-20 nymphs, while you can get 1000 nymphs for $25-30? And many would not want 1000 nymphs for just a few tarantulas.

 

[Smotzer]

1000 nymphs for $25-30? And many would not want 1000 nymphs for just a few tarantulas.

I know I would that’s a great deal

 

[BoyFromLA]

I know I would that’s a great deal

I know you would!

Recently, I got 2000 nymphs for less than $50 (shipping included) for my assassin bugs nymphs to feed.

 

[viper69]

So, I need to buy more feeders for my first sling. It's a 3/4" B smithi.
<edit> should I just buy mealworms for now and chop them until it gets larger? The small roaches were perfect and I highly doubt the chain pet stores have baby roaches specifically right? We don't have any personal insect/reptile businesses in my town so unless I take a drive, a chain store is my only option.
<edit>
I am somewhat considering starting a colony myself, but not sure if it's worth it for only 1-3 small slings. What are your thoughts, community??
Also: are mealworms too "fatty" to feed your sling them regularly and consistently? I've heard this for lizards but not slings.
I also don't necessarily want to mess with crickets while it is this small because I just don't trust it quite yet.
Any ideas guys? I'd love all the input. What are your favorite go to feeders? Do you power feed and why/why not? Thanks! Pic of my new sling attached.

Pet store- buying in bulk is a waste

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Also: are mealworms too "fatty" to feed your sling them regularly and consistently?

Nope, I've done solely mealworms/solely roach nymphs/a mix of feeders and no option is better/worse than the others.

 

[HopeisallIvegot]

Thank you all so much, this was so helpful!! I'd like to apologize as I was not aware you guys could not make any recommendations, I just don't know where to look <edit> I've yet to need to buy more but will need to do so very soon. Sorry!! I appreciate it so much!!
<edit>

Another reason I ask about feeder colonies is I already have about 3 other tarantula purchases and at least one reptile planned as soon as I can find and set up decent enclosures and get the proper supplies. I also ask about a colony because I'd like to eventually have (at minimum) one full grown T, one juvie, and 1 sling which at that point I would probably consider a colony as they'd be able to eat all sizes of roaches.

How do you guys gather your tiny roaches and separate them from the large ones? I'm still getting used to the idea of handling roaches at all, so any tips would be great. Is there anything else I can use to house a feeder colony (escapee-free!) besides using a tote? Lemme see your feeder set ups!!

Also, thanks for the clarification of meal worms, I would really prefer to use those to feed more than roaches but I was really concerned about using only mealworms, so I think I will consider switching to those for now at least until my T collection grows!! I love this website. You guys are awesome.

 

[Dorifto]

How do you guys gather your tiny roaches and separate them from the large ones? I'm still getting used to the idea of handling roaches at all, so any tips would be great. Is there anything else I can use to house a feeder colony (escapee-free!) besides using a tote? Lemme see your feeder set ups!!

You can use some kind of a grille to separate the adult ones from the small ones, as they will cross automatically to the safest zone. Sometimes the adult ones canibalize the small roaches. Placing a grille vertically small roaches can pass from one side to another freely, but the biggest ones wont be able to.

It's very important to use clean or new storage boxes, since they can climb watermarks or scratches, but if the box is clean they wont be able to climb it.

This is my small colony