Discouraged Baby

[clsullivanak3]

Hi everyone,

My bearded dragon that I got 1 week ago doesn't eat that much. He's about 5in long so maybe it's because he's very young? Anyways, I feed him crickets in a separate feeding bin. He actively hunts for them, but sometimes he misses. When he misses them several times, he gives up trying to eat. I ordered some black soldier fly larvae, so maybe that will help a little bit more.

Anyone got suggestions besides ripping the crickets legs off?

 

[charmander16]

The BSFLs will be good. I also find that when I dust them heavily with calcium or vitamins that slows them down as well.

 

[JessPets]

When you dust them, shake them, kind of doing a 'shake and bake' type thing, and them IMMEDIATELY dumb them into the tub. I heard this slows them down, at least for a moment. But yah, the BSFL should be better.

 

[JessPets]

The BSFLs will be good. I also find that when I dust them heavily with calcium or vitamins that slows them down as well.

Sorry, didn't realize you already commented :lol: My computer didn't show your post until AFTER I posted mine

 

[clsullivanak3]

Thanks! I'll try shaking the crickets up a little bit more. Apparently it's going to take until next week to get the BSFL. I'll try crickets again when I get back home tonight. Otherwise, I might try little roaches tomorrow.

 

[AHBD]

Yes, shaking slows down the crix as Jess pets mentioned, but only if you do it in a plastic container or jar. Shake them until they're slightly crippled and they move slowly. Do it with a few at a time so the baby can grab them as he wants and not be overwhelmed by masses of them. After he eats 5-6, add more until he loses interest.

 

[leslie179]

What i do is that i pinch off the hind legs so the crickets cant jump and that the hooks of the hind leg wont scrape my beardies inside or mouth. u can maybe try poo utting them in the fridge to slow their action or give them more shakes so theyre dizzy

 

[clsullivanak3]

Alrighty, shaking them up worked wonders. I fed him during my lunch hour. He only ate 3 though. After a few crickets, he always wants out of the feed box or loses interest. Maybe he's not use to it yet. But at least he's able to eat something!