Eating schedule for baby

Hey all - Today is the first morning of having my new baby Charlie home. I know there will be an adjustment period, but I'm already worried about feeding. I'm not close enough to home to go there at noon to feed her. I usually leave the house by about 7:10 am - her lights come on at 6 am. I tried to feed her at 6:30 am, and she wanted nothing to do with it. That means she will be waiting until I get home to feed her around 5 - 5:30 pm. ugh. I did put down a dish of finely cut up bok choy and strawberries with calcium and vitamins, but I know she needs her insects. It's been a long time since I've had a tiny beardie (over 10 years ago). I'm assuming the lack of appetite is due to the stress of changing homes? Thoughts anyone? My husband is home during the day until mid-afternoon, but there is no way he will feed her (he just can't). Any advice is really appreciated!

Hello, you can try leaving a bowl of bugs in her enclosure. Maybe a small dog bowl. Might be harder to keep crickets in but I think most would stay. Dubias and pheonix worms are easier to keep in.

Try breaking the crickets' legs before putting them in the bowl. They'll stay alive but won't be able to hop out, as long as it's ceramic or smooth, like glass. It took several weeks to get my little girl on a good eating schedule. It is likely due to relocation stress with Charlie right now. But I have also realied that lights need to be on for about an hour before mine is interested in food. If you have to feed her at 6:30am, then I'd suggest lights on at 5:30am. Just make sure she is getting 13-14 hours a day of UVB and basking light.

I am pretty sure avout the stress. I will set the timer to go off earlier and try that for sure...as for pulling legs off crickets...ummm as weird as it sounds I don't think I could bring myself to! Lol

I know it sounds nuts. But when Thane was weak, it was the only way to get her to eat them. She wasn't fast enough to chase them. I hadn't discovered dubias at the point, either. You do what you have to for your pet, I guess.

That is very true. I would hold them with my tweezers when Evee was too weak. Dubias are unfortunately illegal in Canada ? Charlie has lots of energy, she is quick enough to catch the crickets, I think it's a combination of early morning and not up long enough like you said

That's weird that they're illegal in Canada, I didn't know that! I wonder why? You guys have even colder and drier weather up there, meaning they are even less likely to infest anywhere.

I totally agree! I found it really weird too. I think it's because they aren't a naturally occurring species up here. It's on the federal website. I read it last year, but I can't remember the details. I just know we're not legally allowed to have them.

I am 99% sure her lack of appetite was from the stress of the move. She doesn't eat a lot though - only 4 or 5 small crickets at a go. I'm offering LOTS of veg and fruit options. I want to make sure she grows up loving them. But she hasn't touched them either. I think she'll be fine as she adjust to home.

How is she doing? Is she eating any better? You could try some supplements to improve her appetite. My vet gave us a blend of echinacea/ashwagandha and that perked up her appetite overnight. You'd have to see a Herp vet, though.

She ate about 4 or 5 small crickets this morning. She wouldn't eat any tonight BUT she ate some bok choy!!! Her first time ever eating veggies So adorable. I think my 3 year old is stressing her out a bit, he is very - exuberant - about watching her and is a loud talker (working on that :shock: ). But I'm glad she at least ate something, it's a start.

Unfortunately, there are no herp vets in my area. However, my regular vet does consults with an exotics specialist when the need arises (she did that often for my poor Evee). I know that if Charlie needs help, she's a good one to turn to.

- Bok Choy for the win! She LOVES it! She wouldn't eat her crickets again this morning tho...I need to come up with something to encourage her to eat them. She was 32g when I weighed her on Wednesday. Itty bitty baby

I just had to share this really cute short video of Charlie eating her bok choy with my 3 year old cheering her on lol
https://youtu.be/J3SxpWz504U

lol yea Charlie!

How do people get their babies to eat more than a few crickets a day! Charlie will eat max 5 to 10 in two meals. That's it. She is eating some veggies too, but still. She looks fine - her colouring is great, she's active, she's alert, but she just won't eat.