Help with feeding my new beardie, please!

[Tammy94]

I have very recently stepped into the world of bearded dragons and just a week ago bought my first. He is apparently 8 months old (appx) we decided to name him Douglas.

We've been given very mixed information as to how often/much you feed these little guys. The lizard specialist at our local petshop advised a diet of 8 locusts spread over 2 feeding sessions each day, alongside a fresh variety of salads/fruits that is changed over daily.

I have however seen many other sources advise that you feed your beardie "as many locusts" as it can possibly eat within a 10 minute feeding session (unsure as to how many feeding sessions are expected each day) I can certainly tell you Douglas would eat many more than 8 locusts a day if given the opportunity, but after being advised only 8 per day we are worried to feed him any more in case of over feeding.

We also wondered how frequently should we be dusting his meals with calcium powder? We were told around 3 times per week (again by our local pet store) however have seen other sources advise differently.

Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated, i've made it my #1 priority to try and ensure our little Doug is the healthiest, happiest lizard he can be

 

[CooperDragon]

Welcome to the forum! The information overload is discouraging at first but I'm sure you'll find a routine that works for you and Doug soon. At his age he is still growing so I would provide plenty of protein (bugs). Since their appetites and requirements fluctuate I like to go with the all you want for 10 min or so feeding method. You could probably get away with one meal per day at his age but two is still OK. I would follow the dosage instructions on your calcium supplement first but I dust bugs with calcium supplement at every feeding. I replace the calcium with a multivitamin supplement once or twice per week. I would also make a salad available to him every day so he is familiar with it as a food source. As his growth slows down at around 12-18 months (every dragon is slightly different) his diet should change to primarily veges rather than bugs. It's a gradual transition but as an adult his diet should be approximately 80% veg. I offer bugs to my adult dragon only about once every 3-4 days while he gets daily salads. Here is a list of good ideas for salad items: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Tammy94]

Hello and thankyou! Your information was really helpful. At the moment he is on medium sized locusts, I will begin feeding him as many as he can eat over 2 10 minute sessions each day. As for his calcium powder there is n direct instructions, so I have taken it upon myself to dust his bugs and salads every other day, hope this is ok for the little guy!

Thanks again