OK, I don't want to step on any toes, but there is something that I'd like to clarify here. Meal worms versus Super worms. It is actually the meal worms that are highly likely to cause impaction. They are mostly chitonous shell and very little protein, and the shell is very hard for dragons, especially young dragons, to digest. Supers have some chitonous shell but way more protein. Having said this, supers should not be given to very young dragons, under 16 inches in length. Once a dragon reaches 16 inches, the slight bend in their digestive tract begins to straighten and risk of impaction decreases considerable. Supers are a good semi staple for sub-adult and adult dragons. Meal worms are not. Mealies are an ok treat for adults, 1 to 2 times per week but no more. Below I am posting a list of feeders for you all, with a breakdown of nutritional values. This should help when choosing what feeders you would like to use as staples for your dragons.
Here's a list of nutritional content:
Insect: (M) moisture, (P) protein (F) fat
Dubia roaches: (M) 61%, (P) 36%, (F) 7%
Turkistan roaches: (M) 64%, (P) 37%, (F) 5.5%
Silk worms: (M) 76%, (P) 64%, (F) 10%
Horn worms: (M) 85%, (P) 9%, (F) 3.07% and calcium: 46.4 mg/ 100gm
Pheonix worms: (M) 65%, (P) 17%, (F) 9.5% also high in calcium
Superworms: (M) 59%, (P) 20%, (F) 16%
Butterworms: (M) 58.5%, (P) 16.2%, (F) 5.2%
Crickets: (M) 70%, (P) 18.5%, (F) 6.25%
Mealworms: (M) 59%, (P) 10%, (F) 13%
Wax worms: (M) 61%, (P) 16%, (F) 11%
Lobster roaches are in the same range as the dubia and turks.
You'll notice the red highlighted feeders, I did this for easy comparison. Notice that a Super worm is approx: 20% protein and 16% fat versus the meal worm that is approx: 10% protein and 13% fat. I also red highlighted the hornworms to point out that they are 9% protein and 3.07% fat, but they are really high in moisture and calcium (BTW, the hornworm %s come directly from the GreatLakes Hornworm co.). Horns are a good treat/semi staple (1 to 2 times per week). They are really high in moisture and can cause runny poop. You'll notice that the highest protein and most nutritious feeders are the roaches and silks. Even crickets are moderate in protein and low in fat, and they are more chitonous than roaches (the roach shell is quite easily digested as it's much softer/thinner).
The main point I'd like to make here is that mealies are really not an appropriate food for Bearded Dragons. They don't offer enough nutritional value and dragons do not digest mealie shells very easily. Mealies are great for geckos, and a few other lizards, but not for dragons. Supers and horns are ok for a semi staple, and supers will definately get a dragon to gain weight. However, don't feed supers to young dragons, under 16 inches. Although they are less chitonous than mealies, they are still a little too high in chiton for young dragons to digest properly. Horn worms are an ok semi staple, even for young dragons, however,they do not have enough protein content to be a daily staple for a rapidly growing baby/juvenile dragon. Young dragons under the age of 1 year need a lot of protein as this is when the majority of their growth happens. They are still growing from 1 year to 18 months, but growth slows down considerably during this time and their protein intake begins to decrease as their greens intake increases. By 18 months a dragon has reached it's full length, though slight growth can continue until 2 years old when they are adults. After 18 months, their diets should be approx 80% greens and 20% protein.
So, Please, don't feed your dragons mealies. There are much better and safer feeders. For a couple more good sites to get multiple types of feeders:
http://www.greatlakeshornworms.com
http://www.coastalsilkworms.com
http://www.reevescricketranch.com
http://www.flukerfarms.com
http://www.gourmetfeeders.com
www.reptilefood.com
These are just a few, and many of them offer many types of feeders.
Good luck with whatever choices you make. I hope you find this info helpful.
