How, when , how often and what?

[turbojitsu]

My son and I have setup his soon to be bearded dragons tank and now I need to learn more about feeding the soon to be little buddy. We plan to get a relatively young beardie maybe a few months old. I just need some help clarifying what I've read and determining what to use?
Everything I've read says to feed them 3-5 times a day until there 8 months old then 1-2 depending on appetite. Not to feed it anything bigger then the space between it's eyes. I've read that its diet should be 70% insects and 30% greens but I've also read that at that young they don't eat much veggies?
From what I've read Dubai roaches are the best more meaty with more protein. Do I still need to sprinkle them with calcium dust? Where does everyone get theirs from? Any tricks on storing them?I don't want my wife to kill me if any escape.
My last question is the multivitamins. What kind, how much, and how often?
I want our soon to be little buddy to have a long and healthy life so and suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[seandeangelis]

My son and I have setup his soon to be bearded dragons tank and now I need to learn more about feeding the soon to be little buddy. We plan to get a relatively young beardie maybe a few months old. I just need some help clarifying what I've read and determining what to use?
Everything I've read says to feed them 3-5 times a day until there 8 months old then 1-2 depending on appetite. <<<< 5 times a day would be a ton, it's really more like 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes until ~1 year old, when you can slowly (over 6-12 months) transition to 70-80%
veggies, which is insects every 1/2/3 days.

Not to feed it anything bigger then the space between it's eyes. <<<< This is a good rule of thumb to avoid impaction.

I've read that its diet should be 70% insects and 30% greens but I've also read that at that young they don't eat much veggies?<<<< Offer veggies every day, but don't worry if it's closer to 100% insects when they're still growing.

From what I've read Dubai roaches are the best more meaty with more protein. Do I still need to sprinkle them with calcium dust? <<<< They are a good staple, but the only staple that doesn't need dust is phoenix worms.

Where does everyone get theirs from? Any tricks on storing them?I don't want my wife to kill me if any escape.<<<< They can get pretty expensive, many people start colonies which I've heard is fairly easy. Get a large plastic storage bin, they can't really climb it. I don't personally have a colony, but just google how to do it, it's pretty straight forward.

My last question is the multivitamins. What kind, how much, and how often?<<<< rep-cal is a good brand, you should do 5 days calcium/2 days vitamins per week when on the 80%
insects diet. Just coat them with it by shaking a bag or tub with both in a corner.

I want our soon to be little buddy to have a long and healthy life so and suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[turbojitsu]

Thanks Sean.

Does dusting need to be done once a day or to every feeding?

As far as roaches and crickets from what I've found ordering online its 0.13cents a cricket and .005-.11cents a roach. How many are they eating in a meal? How many should I order at a time and how regularly? If any one has a reputable roach breeder they'd like to suggest that be awesome.

 

[kingofnobbys]

at 3 months old my Peppa ((F) 61g) and Toothless ((M) 51g) were destroying up to 8 medium sized (1.5 to 2 inch long) silkworms and 20 x 1/3 size crickets EACH PER DAY , spread over 2 meals , + greens and grated veg.