At what age do beardies become primarily vege eaters?

[pamelacoe]

I know that when they are young, most of the BD is live food (we use crickets and meal worms). We are lucky that our dragon, Oz, has pretty much always eaten at least some greens as well since she came home.

So she was about 8.5" when she came to our home on July 12, 2010. Judging by that length and the date now, we figure she is about 1 year old. I don't know her current weight, but she is about 17" now. She has always been healthy.

Now, I know a guy who has an adult beardie he says he only feeds once a week (live food) and otherwise keeps a variety of greens in the cage. Does this sound right? I don't even know if Oz is considered an adult yet. Long story short, I would like to know if we can/should reduce the amount of live food in exchange for more beardie salads? Or perhaps not feed her every day (2X daily) but every other day or what?

Any assistance from those in the know is appreciated.

 

[lauraj1055]

Most beardies as they get older will stop eating live food, and go more for their greens.. hence as they are older it's 80% greens 20% protein. My one year old only wants live food maybe once a week if that... I have friends who have older beardies age ranges from 2 - 4 and they get fed supers 1 - 2 x a week... So, as they get older they will definately slow down on their live feeders. I would say yours is probably coming pretty close to that age.

Also, did you say you still feed her 2x a day feeders? At that age once a day is plenty.. Even every other day.

 

[pamelacoe]

Yes, we feed usually twice daily, about 15-20 crickets and then some meal worms. Sometimes we miss the second feeding. She really likes turnip greens (yuck, I tried them; she is welcome to them!). We have never feed her supers just because I get afraid that it will be too big and impact her. Our vet also suggested the worms that are raised specifically to be food - he said you don't even have to feed them and they just die after about 30 days, no turning into beetles of anything like that. LOL, I finally had a date night with hubby tonight :lol: (son is at a Boy Scout camp out) so we went out for drinks and I can't remember the name of these stupid worms. Do you know what worms I am talking about? :?:

 

[pamelacoe]

Somebody help me out, please?

 

[lauraj1055]

Reptiworms maybe? But they will eventually turn into flies, even though I have never had it happen to me.. but you don't have to feed them they just stay in the stuff they come in..

 

[pamelacoe]

My son is home now, so I asked him if he remembered what the vet said. He said it was phoenix worms. Do you have experience with these? I'm not even sure where to get them from. My Petsmart only has two types of worms: mealies and supers.

Also, I know there is a link to go that lists different foods/veges with their calcium amount, etc....I just can't find it. Do you know of this, and if so, could you pass it on?

Thanks so much.

 

[Paradon]

Phoenixworms are excellent! It has the ideal calcium to phosphorous ratio of abut 1.5:1, or is it 2:1. Within the range of 2:1 and 1:1 the body can make use of calcium very efficiently, so your bearded will have strong bones and grow properly. Reptiworms have the wrong ratio because they don't feed their worms properly; I think that's how they are able to sell it cheaper. Personally, if I had the money, I'd feed all my geckos Phoenixworms right now; that's what zoos feed their animals. The ratio of calcium and phosphorous makes all the differences. :wink:

 

[lauraj1055]

repti worms and phoenix worms are basically the same thing.. they are black soldier fly larve. They are excellent for beardies as they are full of calcium, and don't need to be calcium dusted.. I use them for my baby. you can get them at www.reptiworms.com use facebook20 for the coupon code and you will get 20% off your order...

I just ordered 500 of them will be ordering more in a week or so. Next time I'm getting 1,000

 

[catUK]

My son is home now, so I asked him if he remembered what the vet said. He said it was phoenix worms. Do you have experience with these? I'm not even sure where to get them from. My Petsmart only has two types of worms: mealies and supers.

Also, I know there is a link to go that lists different foods/veges with their calcium amount, etc....I just can't find it. Do you know of this, and if so, could you pass it on?

Thanks so much.

here's the link: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Paradon]

repti worms and phoenix worms are basically the same thing.. they are black soldier fly larve. They are excellent for beardies as they are full of calcium, and don't need to be calcium dusted.. I use them for my baby. you can get them at http://www.reptiworms.com use facebook20 for the coupon code and you will get 20% off your order...

I just ordered 500 of them will be ordering more in a week or so. Next time I'm getting 1,000

They don't have the same nutritional value, I'm afraid... Reptiworms and Calci Worms have the wrong ratio of calcium to phosphorous; while the Phoenix Worms has about 1.5:1 which is the correct ratio, and therefore, do not need to be dusted.

 

[lauraj1055]

repti worms and phoenix worms are basically the same thing.. they are black soldier fly larve. They are excellent for beardies as they are full of calcium, and don't need to be calcium dusted.. I use them for my baby. you can get them at http://www.reptiworms.com use facebook20 for the coupon code and you will get 20% off your order...

I just ordered 500 of them will be ordering more in a week or so. Next time I'm getting 1,000

They don't have the same nutritional value, I'm afraid... Reptiworms and Calci Worms have the wrong ratio of calcium to phosphorous; while the Phoenix Worms has about 1.5:1 which is the correct ratio, and therefore, do not need to be dusted.

According to the reptiworms website they have:

They have an ideal 1.43:1 Calciumhosphorus ratio.
(Between the Ca range of 1:1 to 2:1 as recommended by the herp community)

Because I am now questioning whether or not I have to dust them every other day I am consulting my breeder as everyone on here has different opinions, and everything gets so confusing as to who to listen to and who not to...

So once I hear back from her, who is the #1 person I trust, I will listen to what she has to say.