Kale

[KittyLovesDragons]

We ran out of grown kale so Bodhi has been eating baby kale. It's exactly the same, right? It's kind of a stupid question, but it'd be nice to know if she getting the same nutrients from either one.

 

[Gormagon]

We ran out of grown kale so Bodhi has been eating baby kale. It's exactly the same, right? It's kind of a stupid question, but it'd be nice to know if she getting the same nutrients from either one.

Khale should be fed rarely because it binds with calcium and, passes through your dragon unmetabolized, causing stunted bone growth and calcium deficiency problems.
Better greens are collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens. These have good calcium levels in them and, won't bind to calcium.

 

[KittyLovesDragons]

Oh, wow I had no clue! Every website I looked at said that kale was one of the best staple greens... :shock: Thanks so much!

 

[AHBD]

Kale can be fed right along with a mixed salad of other greens, just not as the sole one.

 

[Gormagon]

Kale can be fed right along with a mixed salad of other greens, just not as the sole one.

AHBD, I really do respect your opinions and, trust what you say but this one has me stumped!
If it binds with calcium why feed it? I was under the impression that dragons needed calcium for strong bones and, growth. If it takes the calcium out with it when it is passed out the other end, wouldn't it be detrimental to calcium intake? Now I am totally confused here, for the last 8 1/2 months on here and three months of research prior to joining, I have read that khale does this. This is the first time I have heard anything good about feeding khale.

 

[AHBD]

I know that was the thought before, but kale actually has moderate oxalates, about the same as collards from what I've read. I think Taterbug wrote something as well about kale being fine as part of the diet.

 

[Gormagon]

I know that was the thought before, but kale actually has moderate oxalates, about the same as collards from what I've read. I think Taterbug wrote something as well about kale being fine as part of the diet.

That's all well and good but it doesn't change the binding factor, this is the part that bothers me. Why not just feed collards that don't bind with calcium?

 

[AHBD]

Collards , turnip greens, dandelion and kale all contain moderate levels of oxalates, which is what binds calcium. None of them are harmful in reasonable amounts. It's spinach that contains the most and should be avoided for the most part.