Crickets

[Morgana73]

So I am going to get an adult bearded dragon soon. How many crickets should I feed him/her a day? And at what time of day is best to feed them? I also know that I need to dust them with calcium dust 3-5 times a week and to gutload the crickets with vegetables. Also, do bearded dragons need to be fed vegetables everyday or just a few times a week?

Thanks
-Morgan

 

[Morgana73]

Ok nvm I found out that you just feed them till they're full. And they do need vegetables everyday. But whats better, dusting the vegetables with calcium dust or dusting the crickets?

 

[Kriechtier]

Be careful about "just feed them till they're full", if you do this you will most likely end up with an oversized obese dragon that is prone to fatty liver disease, goiter and other ailments (Vet bills don't come cheap). I think 20% protein to 80% veggies is better for an adult. There is no problem in having a fast day per week, at least for protein I recommend it.

The "just feed them till they're full" "rule" is more for growing baby dragons - although I do not subscribe to that, many people will recommend it. Am more for a balanced diet as our dragons are in terrariums and do not have the mobility to burn extra energy(calories) as they have in nature.

That being said by no means should you underfeed your dragon.

Ok nvm I found out that you just feed them till they're full. And they do need vegetables everyday. But whats better, dusting the vegetables with calcium dust or dusting the crickets?

 

[dociledragons]

Growing dragon feed live food daily till full. Adults feed 2-3 times /wk of veggies then feed live. They will always prefer live over veggies IMO.

 

[cocoa2013]

I would try feeding your beardie crickets around 12:00 pm, or if it starts to seem like it's really hungry. Many care sheets that I've read say that you should feed them until they're full. Usually they'll eat 3-6 crickets a day.