Laying Box

[xcynnerx]

Can I just leave a sand box in my Beardies' enclosure?? I've no idea when they're gonna lay but, they were digging like CRAZY so, I just plopped it in there :| AHHH!

 

[Kajolic]

Alfalfa pellets I hear are a great substitute to any dig box. If they are ingested they are digestible from my understanding. I was wanting to make a post to this regard in the near future because I wanted to give my little Dovah a dig spot.

I wouldn't use sand, although in a small area, you still can risk impaction.

 

[xcynnerx]

I bought some reptile sand that is made from calcium carbonate. It SAYS if it's ingested, it won't cause impaction...

 

[Kajolic]

Oh my, marketing at its best...worst.

Please read: http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=132151

Isn't Calci-Sand supposed to be digestable?
Actually, Calci- Sand is especially dangerous. It is made out of calcium carbonate, but it is known to harden like cement when it gets wet. Many beardies also develop a taste for it, and start eating it! Not only does calcium sand have an incredibly high risk of impaction, but it can harm your dragon in many other ways too. This article explains the dangers of Calci-Sand quite well: http://www.herpcenter.com/calcium-sand-dangers.html

 

[xcynnerx]

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh... That's why I said "it SAYS"....ugh. how unfortunate.

 

[Kajolic]

They will sell you anything to make a quick buck. Never time you're at a pet store, look at the Zilla combo packs for Bearded Dragons... It's sad. Sand or Crush Walnuts... CFL for UVB (bad for their eyes) you need linear. ... NIGHT TIME BULBS!!!! NEVER!!! But yet they are suppose to KNOW REPTILES and sell you what is best. NOPE!

Don't want to derail you thread talking about pere-packaged kits, so I'll leave it at that, just wanted to tell how bad marketing is to sell for an easy buck.

 

[xcynnerx]

I appreciate any and all responses. I'm just learnin here

 

[Kajolic]

Must you will learn here. Don't hesitate to ask any question you may have. No such thing as a reposted question that people will complain about. I ask them all the time it seems, haha.

 

[xcynnerx]

I'm sure I'll be posting LOTSA repeats...although, in my defense, I DO search the forums for answers first

 

[pmcphotoinc]

When my girls are getting plump and miserable, I put a dig box in with them and use a cork flat covering half the box for security and resting place on top. I use vermiculite( you can get at any nursery supply store) mixed with organic potting soil( remove any big pieces) a 50/50 mix wet so it clumps but does not drain water from when squeezed. Place on cool side of home, which should be 85*. sand is to heavy, I've had bad experience with it. But this mix works every time for me. Hope this helps!

 

[xcynnerx]

So um...how exactly do you tell when they're ready to lay eggs, and how often do they do it? I would hate to have something happen to one of my girls due to my negligance

 

[pmcphotoinc]

It is very very rare for a clutching female bearded dragon to get egg bound. But you'll know when they are clutching and get near their egg laying. 1st) she will look big and plump like she's about to burst like an inflated balloon. 2nd) she will stop eating a few days before its time. 3rd) she will start digging every where. I also realized I gave you miss info, it's not potting soil you mix with vermiculite, it's Eco earth(coco fiber). During breeding season I leave a dig box in their home, if your enclosure is big enough it won't be an issue. Mine are home built 4ftX2ftX2ft, I just freshen it with moisture weekly and change it out about every 3weeks or as soiled. It depends on age, but the average is 2 to 4 times a year, with one introduction. But important thing is, when eggs are laid to candle them(shine a pen light through them) if you see no veins then they are not fertile, if you do see veining. You will notice what appears to be a circle with a dot in the center, this is the side that should be up, it's the vent for gas. If you have anymore questions feel free to private message me or email.

 

[xcynnerx]

Oh, ok I have 2 lady beardies. One is an adult, the other is a sub-adult. They're in a temporary enclosure until my new one arrives so, it's not NEARLY big enough (only 25 gal). They new one we're getting is 55 gal so, they'll be MUCH more comfy in there

 

[pmcphotoinc]

Well I would recommend on getting 40 gallon breeder instead!

 

[Kajolic]

I just want to post to the regard of my previous posts. I thought you meant a digging spot to satisfy your Bearded dragon urge to dig to either relax or sleep. Didn't realize it was from laying eggs. Even though you posted in "Breeding". This was my facepalm moment for posting right off of work and only reading the post content in the wrong mindset.

I have done some research in the past of reading, videos, etc. Vermiculite mixed with organic soil, as pmcphotoinc, is a common suggestion. Also, given it is just a egg laying bin, I have seen packed sand or top soil used. Alfalfa pellets would most likely still work, but given I was mistake on the situation, they would be too loose of a substrate to use so disregard that. Some Bearded Dragons breeders like to use a packed material so the Bearded Dragon can dig a tunnel, other just let them dig a pit and the Bearded Dragon is more than happy with that.