Best thing to feed baby beardie? No crickets or roaches ...

[Kiara1125]

I am in a pickle. I want a baby beardie, but what can I feed it for the meat portion of its diet growing up? I'm an hour away from pet stores and bait shops, so I can't get crickets. The only way I can get crickets is if I order them in bulk online, which is going to be a no-go since I have nowhere to store the rest of the crickets and I don't care for their chirping. I'm in Florida, so the only roaches that are readily available to me are discoid. But, roaches in general are a no-go since my in-laws don't want them in the house. I'm afraid they'll die if I keep them outside if I do decide to breed them.

What do you guys suggest I do? I see things like Nature Zone Bearded Dragon Bites, but I don't know if these are healthy enough for the baby beardies. I have tons of plants I can supplement with the bites (pear cacti, hibiscus, etc.), so that part is covered. The only problem is the meat portion of the diet. Can someone help me with this predicament?

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. I'd do worms like silk, horn, Phoenix and butter.

 

[Taterbug]

You may find it challenging to your budget to avoid crickets and roaches for a baby.
They can have huge appetites and silkworms and black soldier fly larvae while great feeders, can be expensive. I generally encourage live feeders when possible as many commercial diets are questionable and primarily ingredients that aren't part of a dragons natural diet.

Some folks keep their roach colonies outside or in a shed - could be worth researching.