How much food should I give to my bearded dragon?

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Hello!
My bearded dragon is a healthy male 2 years old, and I recently just got him. I'm worried about his diet, as I'm a first time owner and don't have any experience with bearded dragons. I read a lot of articles and seen videos about their diet, but I'm still unsure of what to feed to him.
I've only had him for three days, and this is what I feed him so far:
first day: 4 mealworms and a bit of broccoli
second day: I tried giving him veggies, but he only ate one piece of celery
third day: 5 mealworms
I know that mealworms might be dangerous for them, but I don't have any other insects to offer. And I tried offering him veggies, but he didn't eat them.
He has gone to the bathroom once on the second day, and twice on the third day. He doesn't have diarrhea.
Is it ok to give him mealworms? How many mealworms per day?
How many veggies should I feed him?
He is hydrated, and in overall good health. I'm just hoping that I can provide a good care for him.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
No broccoli please!!!!! Feed greens like fresh collards turnips mustard and kale----------- squash any kind green beans ---- occasional fruit - No Citrus----- here is a website for nutrition http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
mealworms should not be the main insect - feed crickets dubia roaches or BSFL- BSFL do not need to be dusted but you will need to dust the other insects w/ calcium D3 and vitimans alternating the two here is a website to order BSFL
https://symtonbsf.com/
here is where you can order dubia roaches
www.dubiaroaches.com
www.abdragons.com
www.mulberryfarms.com
www.joshsfrogs.com
At this time all the places are on Xmas break - you can put in orders tho and they will ship out in Jan- I would get some crickets in the meantime and start feeding those 2-3 times per week - a fresh salad should be offered every day---- you can offer super worms as a treat as well --- they sell those at your pet stores --- you can get butter worms horn worms from the places I suggested dubias from --- dubias are more nutritious than crickets --- I recommend those -- they are easier to care for - if you have a 10 gallon aquarium or tote they can be kept in there and fed dubia food and carrots for hydration - they like squash as well ----
Karrie
 

NewbieLizard43

Member
Original Poster
Thanks Karrie! Also, I can't post any images on my other question right now, because my beardie is sleeping (It's 8:31 pm here in Canada)
 

DorgEndo

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Devlyn
Keep offering vegetables. It's a challenge to get your dragon to eat vegetables but the long term health benefits are worth the effort. My dragon wasn't as old as yours (6 months) and it took at least 2-3 months before she was eating vegetables and fruits regularly. I wish you better luck sooner.

Common tricks people try are adding something that smells fresh and appealing. Small amounts of herbs, edible flowers, or bee pollen all might work. People will add an enticing worm into the salad so the dragon has to dig into the salad to get the worm. Some dragons will show a preference for greens that are cut up, torn, or left in larger pieces they can bite themselves. Offer greens first. An adult that is 2 years old can go a few days without insects, offer only greens every day and when you add insects do so later in the day (lunch or dinner time). Even if they don't eat right away, an adult that is a healthy weight won't be harmed by a few days being stubborn and refusing greens. Be more stubborn than the dragon is my thoughts on this.

You can pick whatever technique makes sense for you. Offering greens every day as the first food choice is the simplest way for you and your dragon to get into this new habit. Making a salad plate for your dragon is now part of your morning routine like brushing your teeth.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Ok well post tomorrow so we can see how you got your set up ---- NO colored lights -- NO coil UVB's TUBES are the best and bright white basking bulbs -- that keep temps at 95-105 -- oh dear Canada -- no roaches then unless you can get discoid roaches --- we have some people on here who are from Canada they can give some ideas on other insects besides crickets
Karrie
 

kingofnobbys

BD.org Sicko
Welcome to your life as a bearded dragon's trained human (slave).

Show us photos of your big boy and his tank , so we can check out his tank layout and the lights and their setup.

https://www.completecritter.com/bearded-dragon.html is a very good guide for adult bearded dragons that has some science behind it.
In the wild they rarely eat vegetables or herbs , and are known to eat mostly insects, spiders, small birds in nests, eggs, smaller lizards and even small animals ( if they can catch them ).

If your dragon wants insects , give them , perhaps a small meal of live insects each day along with the salad.
ie
one to two large silkworms
or
40 to 50 large BSFL
or
12 large crickets
are all OK.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I would upgrade that tank to as big as you can afford----- 75 -120 gallon is what they recommend - they need floor space not height-- try FB marketwatch and Craigslist -- if you find a tank there make sure you sanitize it real good before using -- you can use paper towels for now in the tank but I would get rid of the sand ---- even textured non adhesive shelf liner from your local home improvement store would work for now but get rid of the sand--- also try and find a tank that has doors that open from the front --- lot easier to get in and out of w/ everything ---- also the lighting is one of those a coil UVB --- if it is I would get rid of it --- they are insufficient I am gonna use that word--- you need to invest in this
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot inside the tank – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot inside the tank—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- this is what is recommended on the forum and by far the best as we know ---
Karrie
 
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