My 3 y/o male Beardie keeps closing his eyes when I try to hand feed him

[Yuko]

So I just got this Bearded Dragon from a friend about 2 weeks ago. He seems healthy and well kept, definitely a bit stressed though. Anyways to the question at hand. I realized early on he prefers to hand fed instead of with tongs or just having the food put in the bowl, but recently everytime I hold a peice of food in front of him to eat he just closes one of his eyes and ignores it. It honestly doesn't seem like much of a problem but I'm getting concerned because he usually doesn't eat the rest of his food. I still give him Superworms, which he eats quickly and gratefully. So is this just him being picky? I don't know, if there is anyone who knows a solution or are experiencing it themselves please help.

 

[KarrieRee]

So I just got this Bearded Dragon from a friend about 2 weeks ago. He seems healthy and well kept, definitely a bit stressed though. Anyways to the question at hand. I realized early on he prefers to hand fed instead of with tongs or just having the food put in the bowl, but recently everytime I hold a peice of food in front of him to eat he just closes one of his eyes and ignores it. It honestly doesn't seem like much of a problem but I'm getting concerned because he usually doesn't eat the rest of his food. I still give him Superworms, which he eats quickly and gratefully. So is this just him being picky? I don't know, if there is anyone who knows a solution or are experiencing it themselves please help.

Please no more super worms- he's hooked- he needs salads and a staple feeder like dubia roaches crickets bsfl or silk worms- for a dragon a year or older insects 2-3 times per week and fresh salads every day

 

[Yuko]

Please no more super worms- he's hooked- he needs salads and a staple feeder like dubia roaches crickets bsfl or silk worms- for a dragon a year or older insects 2-3 times per week and fresh salads every day

I usually only give super worms to him once or twice a week, I also give him a small variety of veggies/fruits each day. Eventually he does go and eat the food on his own but it's still a bit slow.
I'm trying to stay away from crickets because they're a hassle, are super worms not all that good for them?

 

[KarrieRee]

I usually only give super worms to him once or twice a week, I also give him a small variety of veggies/fruits each day. Eventually he does go and eat the food on his own but it's still a bit slow.
I'm trying to stay away from crickets because they're a hassle, are super worms not all that good for them?

No they're good it's just that they get hooked on them-- dubias are a better feeder than crickets- if you need websites to get them I can post some- they are cheaper on line and best to order in larger quantities

 

[Yuko]

No they're good it's just that they get hooked on them-- dubias are a better feeder than crickets- if you need websites to get them I can post some- they are cheaper on line and best to order in larger quantities

Ah okay that makes sense, his previous owner (my friend's brother) had given them to us along with all of his stuff so we just continued with feeding them to him. I'm not so sure about online stuff quite yet, but do you know how much if Dubias are sold for in pet stores (PetSmart, Petco)? Me and my father(who has been helping me) have gone there for a few things since getting him and since they are local. (I really appreciate the help btw :'])

 

[KarrieRee]

Ah okay that makes sense, his previous owner (my friend's brother) had given them to us along with all of his stuff so we just continued with feeding them to him. I'm not so sure about online stuff quite yet, but do you know how much if Dubias are sold for in pet stores (PetSmart, Petco)? Me and my father(who has been helping me) have gone there for a few things since getting him and since they are local. (I really appreciate the help btw :'])

They are way cheaper look at this website www.dubiaroaches.com - get yourself a 10 gallon aquarium and get some dubia food and dubias dew- you can also feed them squash carrots don't feed the dragon carrots too to much vit A- fruit and other stuff you feed your dragon-- I usually order around 200 at a time - they last quite awhile- I also get horn worms too but order small amounts as they grow very fast

 

[Yuko]

They are way cheaper look at this website www.dubiaroaches.com - get yourself a 10 gallon aquarium and get some dubia food and dubias dew- you can also feed them squash carrots don't feed the dragon carrots too to much vit A- fruit and other stuff you feed your dragon-- I usually order around 200 at a time - they last quite awhile- I also get horn worms too but order small amounts as they grow very fast

Ah okay tysm for the help! Google really doesn't help when it comes to specific questions like these.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ah okay tysm for the help! Google really doesn't help when it comes to specific questions like these.

Please ask if you have more there are a lot of experienced people on here

 

[Yuko]

Please ask if you have more there are a lot of experienced people on here

Will do! Definitely gonna bookmark this.

 

[KarrieRee]

Will do! Definitely gonna bookmark this.

Just make sure your basking temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- and your uvb is a long tube fixture-- please no coils they are inadequate

 

[Yuko]

Yep no coils here!

Just make sure your basking temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- and your uvb is a long tube fixture-- please no coils they are inadequate

 

[KarrieRee]

Yep no coils here!

Ok what are you using for a uvb? Brand and bulb please-- your screen will determine where the uvb needs to be placed

 

[Yuko]

Ok what are you using for a uvb? Brand and bulb please-- your screen will determine where the uvb needs to be placed

Unfortunately I don't exactly know (It's late atm so I'm not able to check) since it was one of the things given to me. It was ultimately too big until we realized it should only cover around half of the tank so we have half of it covered up so it won't produce any light. Hopefully I'll be able to get a better one in the future haha

 

[Rocky2022]

I agree with all of the above and remember, you just got him and he's stressed. He needs some time to get used to the relocation and you (and vice versa). Give him some time, he will come along. And between bugs and greens, most beardies choose the bugs every time. My beardie is pretty good with the greens every morning but then one random day she will close her eyes, turn her heard and appear utterly offended. As you learn your beardie, you will figure out their personality but keep their needs first. Otherwise, he will run you like my beardie runs me (hangs head in shame LOL) -
Good luck and enjoy your new beardie!

 

[KarrieRee]

Unfortunately I don't exactly know (It's late atm so I'm not able to check) since it was one of the things given to me. It was ultimately too big until we realized it should only cover around half of the tank so we have half of it covered up so it won't produce any light. Hopefully I'll be able to get a better one in the future haha

Please check the bulb it will tell you and the bulbs have different expiration periods ---