Do you have to calcium dust worms?

[Teabug]

We feed crickets to the one year old bearded dragon we adopted eight days ago. But she has only pooped once during that time, and is not really eating greens. Bathing hasn't helped. A friend recommended switching to worms, so I am reading up on the best varieties. But I am confused on dusting them -- does it depend on the species of worm?

Thanks for any help. From what I'm reading, butter worms seem like the best try first for the issues we're having -- do you dust them with calcium?

 

[Taterbug]

It depends on the worm. Black soldier fly larvae (reptiworms, calciworms and Phoenix worms) do not need dusting, as they have a positive Ca ratio. All others (including butters) need calcium dust to balance the ratio.

 

[Teabug]

Thank you!!

 

[Claudiusx]

You still should dust BSFL even if they are your main staple bug, although you don't need to do them the 5 days that is recommended. Twice a week will suffice.

-Brandon

 

[Teabug]

Hi Brandon,

You are a wealth of knowledge, thanks for all your help here.

I am confused about the five days of dusting you referred to. My dragon's original owner only fed crickets every other day. She would switch multivitamin with calcium. So that means the beardie is getting calcium from the dusted bugs only twice a week.

(The crickets are gut loaded with a calcium-enriched commercial food as well as greens.)

Should I switch to live prey every day? I wanted to stick to her original conditions so she would transition well. But I'm noticing on the day she's to be fed (before it happens) that she is pressing herself flat to the floor of her terranium. I'm thinking that means she's hungry? Since heat isn't the issue.

We are on day 10 of owning her. She has only pooped once. I'm going to give it a couple more days and then take her to the vet. I feel like all I do is worry about this girl!

Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

 

[Claudiusx]

At a year old, the dragon is likely still growing, you should definitely still be feeding protein at least once a day still. Dusting with calcium 5x per week is the norm for growing dragons, along with 2x week for a multi.

If Bsfl are being used as the main feeder, the calcium supps. can be cut to twice a week instead.

-Brandon

 

[Teabug]

Ok, thank you again! I will switch her to everyday.