how long can I keep my baby beardies together???????????????

[markyboy81]

hello i'm back again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do problems keep arising for me?? just when my baby beardie seemed to be perking up it's gone bad again. I bathed them all earlier and they all seemed to really enjoy themselves but my baby that I had the problems with (I'm going to call him "Lucky" as he seems to have had outstanding luck so far considering his future was looking so bleak). Anyway, after bathing my babies I put them back in their vivs and continued to monitor them every five or ten minutes just to make sure they were all doing okay, however Lucky seemed to go really black under his chin and around the neck area and it appeared rather swollen, he was hardly moving so we took him out and gave him some TLC. he seems okay now but this is the second time this has happened to him, he probably won't eat again now for a while as that is what happened the last time this problem occurred. It seems to be one step forward followed by two steps back with Lucky. Can anyone explain what is causing this problem and also i would like to know are there any SAFE mineral/vitamin formulas I can administer to lucky while he doesn't have an appetite to help him continue to grow during his troubled times, he's soooo tiny it's worrying. Thanks Holly so far for all your sound advice, you seem to know what you're talking about, do you have any ideas????????????????????????????????????

 

[DistDrag]

I didn't catch the ages on these but since you bought such a group fro a low price I'm guessing they were much less than 6 weeks. It really sounds like the "Lucky" may be stressed. The darkening is typically a sign of stress or distress of some sort. I would avoid handling the little guys as much as possible until are a little older. There are some things you could try to feed him. I've used a product called Carnivore Care by Oxbo here is a link so with a little more info on it. http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/Carnivore-Care-25-ounces--pr--015OXP0225to before which is very good. You mix it with water to a paste or even thinner consistency if needed. It can be fed with an eye dropper or syringe. I don't know if it available in your area though. Some people have also used baby food. I haven't and don't know which ones you would want to use. I would think squash would be good though.

Good Luck
Kevin

 

[Ethelia]

Hi there,

My first reaction is that this doesnt sound like anything dramatic. Some young dragons are incredibly susecptable to change and stress.
A darkened beard can signify stress (among other things).
By the sounds of it you have a very shakey little baby there and the stress of seeing his brothers and sisters OR just the new experience of a bath freaked him out.
Some babies are incredibly skittish and some are confident and outgoing, thats just the luck of the draw.
Some babies can socialise with their clutchmates for a limited period of time and some will immediately withdraw and need to be seperated (as you have done).

The smallest things can stress young dragons out. Especially other dragons and especially change.
When I changed my babies substrate from paper towel to slate she refused to eat for two days and spent the first day refusing to tread on the ground.
Think frightened stubborn toddler.

When my baby dragon is spooked she will attempt to darken her beard (she can only manage it in patches the darling), she will show dark circles on her underside ("stress marks") and will push her body flat to the ground.
Does this sound like similar behaviour?

If this sounds like it might fit Luckys behaviour I would advise that you no longer allow her to physically see her clutchmates.
Many dragons will not tolerate the sight of another dragon, to the extent that people make sure dragons can never see eachother from their vivs.
My babys viv is ontop of my sub-adults and when I get my baby out I make sure she is never allowed to see my bigger boy so as not to excite either of them.


In terms of suppliments you want to be dusting your babies food with vitamins twice a week and calcium powder 3-5 times a week.
ReptiCal, Calypso and Dragon Dust are some good brands that spring to mind.
You should be able to find them at petmoutain.com or any online reptile store.

In terms of appetite stimulant I would look at Critical Care formula, Carnivore Care or Jump Start.

How is Lucky's appetite and general behaviour now he is alone?

Holly