Baby dragon feeding help

[OperationReggie]

Now. Have heard multiple saying different things about how many and how often to feed a 2 month old beardie, first off i heard as much as it will eat in 10 mins next was 10-15 crickets twice a day and thirdly was from a family friend who said they fed theirs 6 crickets a day. Now can someone clarify what is the best, i have been doing 6-10 a day and he seems to be full he is never searching for food and he always has a small salad available to him. Any help is appreciated

 

[CooperDragon]

At that age, I'd go with two feedings per day for 10 minutes or so all he wants or until he loses interest. I feed the bugs in small batches of 5 or so at a time and then repeat so that they're easy to track and none are left in the tank after feeding time. The amount that he eats will vary depending on his mood and if he's having a growth spurt or not so it's hard to give a number of bugs to eat instead of a rough timeframe and number of meals.

 

[OperationReggie]

My only issue with feeding twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) i don't want to get him into the habit of every time i open the cage he is going to get food, mainly for handling purpose and not wanting him to be expecting food and not getting it. At the minute i feed him 8-10 crickets at a time and he doesn't seem hungry after it, and he knows when its time to feed because when i enter the room around that time he is always ready for me to put crickets in. Any help is appreciated

 

[CooperDragon]

It's easier to scatter the routine when they get a bit older. When they're little they eat so much it's tough not to feel like you're feeding them at every interaction. You can try to integrate some play time around feeding but if you're not around during the day I would continue to offer morning and evening meals for now.

 

[OperationReggie]

Ok thanks, would it be ok if i fed him at 7:30 am and then again at 4:30pm due to school these are really the only times i have free in the morning or are the times spread too far apart?

 

[CooperDragon]

That's fine. You can set his schedule to work around yours. I used to feed my guys before work and then again right after. They'd get some play time after their meal and then some basking time.

 

[OperationReggie]

At what age should i switch to feeding him once a day?

 

[CooperDragon]

Out between 12-18 months probably. That's whe. Their growth starts to slow and they start to transition to a mainly vegeterian diet. It's a gradual transition though.

 

[OperationReggie]

Ah right ok, i just fed him 6 crickets now and he was confused at first because he had never been fed that early, i will feed him 6 more later and see how he is.

 

[OperationReggie]

He ate 11 crickets the first day, now on the second day i fed him at 8am when he ate 3 crickets then ran to his basking spot (does this mean he has had enough?) i did offer him more but he didnt accept it, so i waited until now at 1pm and he ate 4 this time then ran to his basking spot, does that mean he has had enough for now or is it something i should worry about that he has only eaten 7 crickets today. I may offer him a few more later on but im not sure he will eat them. Any help is appreciated

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like he's taking what he wants and then going to bask and digest. That's pretty normal behavior. His appetite will fluctuate as well and that's OK as long as he remains alert and active. Just keep offering and he'll take what he needs.

 

[OperationReggie]

Thanks so much for all the help you have given me man, he is also a little spoilt every time i put veggies in he will go and lick it then run back to basking spot, then when i offer them to him at his basking spot he will take it. Crafty lil guy, i cant refuse his little face though

 

[CooperDragon]

Sounds like he owns you =)

 

[OperationReggie]

Haha on the odd occasion i find him chomping at the salad if he knows i wont get up and feed him directly, so you could say we are neutral