An early surprise-need help

[Tigresssnow]

Oh boy. So I just checked the beardie incubator like I do daily and screamed. A baby hatched on day 58 of incubation and we only just started building the hatchling racks for 100l rearing tubs. We have a spare light before the rest come in next week I just need some lightning fast tips on setup. I have the baby in a shoebox tub with a hide/basking platform and a water dish on paper towel. He is very sleepy so I imagine he litterally only just hatched today. Any tips would be great!

 

[AHBD]

Here's how I've set up 20 years worth of hatchlings....no frills, simple and they can easily be carried outside in the sun for a few hours every day. Don't take them out in the sun until they are 5-6 days old and have the energy to get around well to access the shaded areas. The sticks are gathered from outside, no need to spend a penny on store bought items unless you simply don't have access to tree branches. Nothing sappy [ esp. like fresh pine ] Pop the sticks in the oven for 35-45 minutes. If you take the bins out in the sun, set up something AROUND or in front of the tub to provide partial shade, like a large fake plant or set them near a real plant or tree to provide partial shade. So here's how you set them up.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/29895/full

Branches are better than rocks or stacked tile, they don't get as hot and babies love to climb like little monkeys. I use plain halogen or other incandescent bulbs for heat with a reflector positioned over the top of the bin.

 

[Tigresssnow]

Thank you for your quick response. Hot spot should be 105 ferenheit right? And will the baby be ok in the shoebox tub until we get the 100L tubs? I have a styrafoam bown iverturned with a hole cut for a hide slash basking spot. We truly weren't prepared for them to come this early!

 

[AHBD]

A shoebox will be too small to get a heat gradient. You can run to Walmart ,K-mart or a Dollar store and pick up a nice clear bin , all sizes from $4- $12 and set it up quickly. I don't use a hide for hatchlings, I might put a crumpled up paper towel where a baby can still hide + feel secure but will still get enough heat. Temps. of 105 hot side, 78-82 cool side is fine.

 

[Tigresssnow]

Ok I may actually have a bigger bin free I'm scouting my reptile spare stuff closet lol. The baby has warmed up and is wandering around. I will upload a photo to show off the cutie

 

[AHBD]

Yes, that would be best, and I'll look forward to seeing the new baby. Just curious, where are you getting the rearing tubs from ? Are they being shipped or do you get them locally ?

 

[Tigresssnow]

There's a picture of the little one.

 

[CooperDragon]

I was hoping for a picture =). Cute little guy! Looks like he's in good shape too.

 

[Tigresssnow]

I may be talking about something different then what they are. I didn't know there were such things as rearing tubs other then tubs for growing up baby's lol! What is an actual rearing tub?
I probably sound unbelievably silly having to say that lol.

 

[AHBD]

He's very cute, as they always are ! A rearing tub or tote is whatever you rear or raise them in. You mentioned building racks for the 100L tubs so I wondered where you were getting them from. I just buy my tubs, such as the one in my picture , at the local stores that I mentioned.

 

[Tigresssnow]

I'll be getting them from Home Depot or walmart, whichever has them cheapest. I was going to build the 4x2x2 enclosures for them but I'm uncomfortable having such big groups together from hearing about tail nips etc.

 

[AHBD]

Walmart usually has the best selection. I use ones that are about 36-42" long and not too high. How many babies do you expect ? You can put about 6-7 babies in each tote. The chance for nipping can be there even with 2 per bin but frequent feedings and lots of basking places such as are provided by the branches will help greatly.

 

[Tigresssnow]

Ok so I'll be sure to keep up in feeding and look for branches. We live in southern intario so there's lots of maple trees (not as sappy as you think too as only some strains of maple make syrup ) I'm sure I can find lots. Salad wise, what's the best for babies? I feed my adults collard bok Choy and kale once in a while, I can't find mustard greens in my town unfortunately

 

[AHBD]

Sounds good ! The greens you use will be fine, just shred them in to tiny pieces like confetti. Especially do so with collard greens which are tougher. Once the babies are eating well, you can drop the pieces of reens in as the babies are feeding on the insects. They are attracted by the movement and then start eating the greens that flutter down near them.

 

[Tigresssnow]

Ok thank you. What size crickets for the baby? 1/4 inch? Or since they'd be hunting go to 1/2?