Baby is afraid of Crickets, very picky

[FlashNChester]

Hi guys, I'd like some suggestions on feeders for my baby... she had to be fed baby food for a bit due to not eating and is afraid of crickets. She will eat a couple of crickets in the morning and then runs away from them! I live in Florida so I can't have roaches. She doesn't like Phoenix worms and just plain ignores the hornworms I've tried. I am wondering if she will ever develop the voracious appetite I keep hearing about from other members here... I don't want to hand feed her because I think it suppresses their natural instinct to hunt, but I'm almost at an impasse as to what to give her. I've tried a separate feeding container but it freaked her out even worse and all she did was try to get out
If I hold her veggies up to her she will generally eat them, so that's how I've been sneaking in her vitamins and calcium (thank heavens for butternut squash!).
Any suggestions on protein sources are much appreciated!

 

[christineyellow]

How long have your had your baby? She might still be going through some relocation stress.. My Mushu sorta acted the same way with the crickets when I first brought him home (for the first 10-ish days). It's been over a month now and he attacks crickets like it's nobody's business!

 

[FlashNChester]

We've had her for well over a month now...

 

[LooptyLoo]

My baby is terrified of crickets, too.

What about the Nature Zone Baby Bites for Bearded Dragons? I haven't had any personal experience with them, so feel free to correct me, Forum. All I know is that they are supposed to have some necessary nutrients, including an appetite stimulant. Maybe she would like that?

(Mods, are we allowed to post links? Thanks!)

 

[FlashNChester]

I have the pellet type juvenile bites and the baby bites. The baby bites are moist and she does seem to pick at those a little. I was able to hand feed her about 20 phoenix worms and 2 small hornworms this evening. I just want her to do it herself--not that I mind spoiling her in the least, but she's so tiny and I worry about her

 

[FlashNChester]

Just an update... I have started putting her food in a small dish on her basking platform and she is definitely eating both the beardie bites and the collard greens. I'm thinking she wasn't that motivated to explore and look for food, but now that it's right in front of her its a different story! I will eventually move the dish down to floor level but for now I'm happy that she's taking more initiative. She is taking more interest in the hornworms which are easier to get into her than the phoenix worms.

 

[LooptyLoo]

That is fantastic!! I'm so glad to hear this