How many supers in addition to pheonix?

[Annikan26]

Hello!
My dragon, anni, just turned 1yr old and is a little over 16inches. He has been eating about 100 pheonix worms a day along with salad. My vet said to introduce super worms to help him gain some weight. I have read a lot about only giving 5-10 every other day but since he needs to gain weight i will be feeding him everyday. My question is, how many phoenix worms and super worms should i feed him each day?

 

[CooperDragon]

Supers are a bit fatty and can become addictive which is why they are recommended in limited doses. I would turn to hornworms for a high protein, filling option. At a year old I would also try to introduce more veges like squash, green beans, dark leafy greens, bell pepper, etc. A wide variety of food in the diet will ensure they get the nutrients they need while still allowing them to gain weight in a more healthy manner.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Hello!
My dragon, anni, just turned 1yr old and is a little over 16inches. He has been eating about 100 pheonix worms a day along with salad. My vet said to introduce super worms to help him gain some weight. I have read a lot about only giving 5-10 every other day but since he needs to gain weight i will be feeding him everyday. My question is, how many phoenix worms and super worms should i feed him each day?

I don't think much of vet who recommends feeding supers as a staple feeder insect. Very high fat content , very poor Ca/P , and there is the issue of very tough to digest chiton exoskeleton.

I never give my adult beardies more than 2 or 3 supers in a sitting, and only ever give them supers as an occasional treat.

Better off giving your yearling silkworms , he can handle full grown silkworms , but I'd try him on medium sized silkworms (up to 2" long) , he can eat as many of these as he likes , they are a superb staple feeder insect with a high Ca/P..

 

[Annikan26]

Supers are a bit fatty and can become addictive which is why they are recommended in limited doses. I would turn to hornworms for a high protein, filling option. At a year old I would also try to introduce more veges like squash, green beans, dark leafy greens, bell pepper, etc. A wide variety of food in the diet will ensure they get the nutrients they need while still allowing them to gain weight in a more healthy manner.

Thank you! He has been eating veggies since i got him, i mix it up between collard, turnip and mustard greens each week along with two types of veggies, different ones each week. He loves his salads! I will look into the horn worms! Does the 10 minute rule still apply now that he is older?

 

[CooperDragon]

OK Great. A wide variety of veges will give him a healthy diet and help keep him at a healthy weight. The 10 minute rule applies to an extent. My adult dragon usually loses interest in roaches before 10 minutes (once a week or so). Hornworms are very big and filling so I don't usually offer more than 2 or 3 at a time but I give them more frequently and treat them as big snacks rather than a full meal.