light schedule for beardies

[stephnt619]

do beardies have to have a specific light schedule? My bearded dragons are not for breeding if that matters any. I was wondering if they need specific light times, or if its okay to turn the lights on around 9 am when i wake up and then turn them of whenever I go to bed or leave their room for the night, which usually wouldn't be until 7 or even 11 at night. The previous owner had them on a 14 hour light 10 hour dark schedule during the summer. Would it harm them to put them on my somewhat random light schedule?

 

[spurlee01]

It's not very good for them to be on a random schedule. A 14 hour schedule is good. I have Lilly's lights on a timer so they come on at 7:30 am and go off at 9:30 pm.
Sara

 

[Pleaides]

my 2 also have quite a strict routine. either 13/14 hours day time then 10/11 hours night time and the only reason for the hour differnce from time to time is because of my work as i do not have them on a timer...really need to invest in one though as ive always got to be up for them even on my days off! LOL

 

[zebraflavencs]

Mine also go on around 8am and off again at 10pm. This allows for the "summer" lighting. During winter, I change the settings on the timer for 8 am to 8 pm. This way they are more in sinc with the current seasons.
Janie.

 

[momof2boys]

I've been wondering this myself... My beardie doesn't open his eyes until 730 am and around 730 pm he puts himself to bed! i heard you should leave the lights on for 14 hours but he seems to like to sleep! I'm thinking I"ll put the lights on at 7 and off at 9... but won't it be upsetting for him to have the lights on after he's trying to sleep?

 

[stephnt619]

so where can i buy one of these timers and about how much do they cost. I don't wanna mess up their schedule if its bad for them. He said during the winter he gives them about 11 hours of light and 13 hours of dark. Is that a proper schedule?

 

[spurlee01]

11/13 or 12/12 is fine during the winter. I bought a timer at walmart for $6 and a strip with 3 outlets for $2 (the timer only has 1 plug).
Sara

 

[fkalb]

I have my timer set to turn on at 6 AM when i wake up for work, and off at 8:30 PM.. so 9.5 hours. Might change to come on a little earlier because im normally out of the house around 6:30.. let him get more warmed up i normally feed like 15 mins after the light comes on when hes still groggy i have to bring them up to his rock most of the time