Feeding

[McCoy402]

What is the proper feeding cycle for a baby beardie, daily and weekly. I've read multiple things that were different and I just want to be sure

 

[YoursTruly]

The general rule is: feed hatchlings and juvenilles live feeders 2-3 times a day, as much as they will eat. Offer salad, but don't be surprised if he or she isn't interested in the vegetables until around 7-8 months to a year..

Here's what I do: I use banded crickets and dubia roaches for feeders. I dust the feeders with calcium+D3 once a day 4x per week and a multivitamin once a day 3x per week. This encourages proper muscle growth and bone health. Daily, I offer a salad of appropriate greens (no kale, cabbage, spinach or lettuce) and vegetables. I use mustard greens, carrots and zucchini.

 

[McCoy402]

I've read to feed him crickets one day, veggies one day, and nothing the next, is that correct? Lol seems fishy to me. And you said no kale? I've read that they like it

 

[YoursTruly]

I'm not sure where you read these things, but both are incorrect. I am going off of studies and information from breeders (many post here as well).

They MUST have live feeders 2-3 times a day when they are under a year. This provides sufficient protein for muscle and organ growth that is crucial within the first year of life.

They cannot have kale because it binds to calcium that they take in from their supplements and food, and it does not allow them to properly digest it. Spinach causes the same problem. Intake of calcium is extremely important, along with a proper UVB bulb to process it, in the prevention of metabolic bone disease.

You can find mustard, collard, turnip, or dandelion greens at your local grocery store. Even the big chain grocery stores near me sell them.

 

[YoursTruly]

Here is the forum's care sheet, where you can find the above information under the "Feeding and diet" section (this also spans to page 2 of the care sheet). It also tells you important things like what size feeders to purchase and what other vegetables and fruits are appropriate. This is the best information available.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/caresheet/

 

[McCoy402]

Thanks guys/gals. I'll make a list of what he can and can't eat so I don't have too keep looking it up. he has a small 10 gallon tank for now. I'm making a custom 40x20x20 tank and putting a divider in it till he's older and bigger. I'll use the other half to feed him

 

[YoursTruly]

Good plan! Espeially with the divider as too much space can be stressful and intimidating for a baby. I too am upgrading, this weekend actually. I'll be getting a 36x18x12 because I have a fairly small girl. I will have to get more tile and repitcarpet, too. Sigh, our little ones are so expensive, aren't they?

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

Good plan! Espeially with the divider as too much space can be stressful and intimidating for a baby. I too am upgrading, this weekend actually. I'll be getting a 36x18x12 because I have a fairly small girl. I will have to get more tile and repitcarpet, too. Sigh, our little ones are so expensive, aren't they?

If you're going tile, Home Depot will cut tile for free (whether they give attitude or not...)

6x36 "plank" tiles, purchased 3, 1" off the length of each, 1" off the width of 1.
Did this for both dragons, fits perfectly

 

[YoursTruly]

I tried to get them to cut tile and they said they didn't have a tile saw. So I ended up piecing together stuff myself.

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

I tried to get them to cut tile and they said they didn't have a tile saw. So I ended up piecing together stuff myself.

Sounds like they were making excuses not to do it, imo... I had mine cut at 2 different locations, but they did tell me that the 36" was too long to fit but still did it