TV dinners for tarantulas

[greensleeves]

So I was thinking of checking out the local petstores and picking up a supply of pinhead crickets to have on hand to feed to my new spiderling when it arrives. I thought I would just stick 'em all in the freezer until I get used to handling live prey for the bug, but I got to thinking something...

What about the danger of freezer burn? You know, when food gets all dried out after hanging around in the freezer for awhile?

Well, what if the crickets dry out too much? I mean, as humans we can jaw through a tough, dry steak and get some nourishment out of it, but spiders aren't like us, as I understand - they basically slurp up the juices of their prey, right? So if the crickets come out of the freezer in a less than juicy state, won't they be less nutritional for the spider?

Could I starve my poor little spider by feeding it only frozen food? Or even worse, turn it into a T.V. dinner addicted couch potato? LOL

I know what you guys will probably say, watch the spider and if it's abdomen starts to shrink then it's obvious a change of diet is in order, but I'd still feel better with some reassurance.

Thanks in advance,

Greensleeves

 

[RugbyDave]

i've fed frozen mice and chickens (chicks to be exact) to some of my big boys...

just make sure you thaw them out. I usually stick them in a bag in warm water (not on the stove)...

alot of people freeze food, thaw it out and then feed it.

however pinheads?!!

they're pretty longlasting, compared to adult crix. I give my guys crushed up chick mash and flukers with a shallow shallow dish of water with a ramp up it... they're in with the medium sized crix.

i don't think there's any need to freeze the pinheads.

are they really that hard to come by where you are?

good luck
peace
dave

 

[Mojo Jojo]

IMO, freezing pinheads is the way to go. Otherwise, you end up losing 1/4 to jumping away from you, another 1/4 from dieing, and 1/4 for growing too large for the s'lings and the other.

Jon