Mazuri or similar?

[MBH]

I tried searching for this, but didn't find anything - my first post here, so my apologies if this is a dumb question. I'm in the "Research" phase of ownership (we have not yet acquired our new bestie but are planning to very soon) - is there a reason that people aren't feeding a quality commercial diet as a supplement for baby bearded dragons? For reference, I have pet rats and frogs and I feed appropriate Mazuri foods to the rats and to the feeder crickets to gut-load, and I am really happy with my experiences. I tend to be the kind of person who thinks that a commercial food as back-up (to a main diet of live feeders and veggies in the case of beardies) can help ensure there are no gaps in nutrition. To be clear, I'm not specifically advocating Mazuri, it's just the brand I know. Anyway, what's the stance on commercial diets? Thank you in advance, and I'm so excited to be hopefully joining your happy ranks of Beardie-Ownership soon! =)

 

[AHBD]

Not many people seem to go for that, insects and veggies are what they eat in the wild [ although there would be some different insect and plant life than is found in their native Australia ]

 

[Claudiusx]

For the majority of this hobby's existence, commercial diets have been sub par at best. Made of cheap processed ingredients that dragon's did not even seem to really have any interest in.

In the past few years, Rapashy has become a semi-popular product that has gained some traction in the hobby, and they seem to be a bit more science based in their approach to nutrition. Some owners use these Rapashy products, but I don't know of anyone who uses them solely.

The other issue you run into is that most dragons are encouraged by movement to eat. With the exceptions of salads which they recognize as vegetable matter.

The other issue you run into is that commercial food made for other creatures typically have scientific study and literature to back up nutritional needs of the creatures they are feeding. There really have been no scientific studies on the nutrition requirements (and how they change through age) of bearded dragons. All we have is anecdotal evidence on what nutrition requirements a dragon has based on what has worked in the hobby for the past few decades. We have no real way of knowing if a commercial diet that sounds good on paper due to it's high nutrient levels, would actually be detrimental to the health and life expectancy of a dragon.

Another anecdotal statement that is worth pondering. Back before these commercial diets became popular, back before the push for super high protein diets of as much as a dragon can eat, back before super powerful UVB bulbs, dragons had a life expectancy of around 12 years, and we often saw that. I can't remember the last time I've seen or heard of a dragon making it to even 8 years. Many are dying at 3, 4, or even 5 years of age.

But I digress..

Great question and definitely a conversation worth having.

-Brandon

 

[CKnodel]

I have been looking into a supplement of sorts for Tyrion. I ran into an issue just this past week that the entire shipment of Dubai roaches were dead when they arrived. Now, this is because I live in a town with no source so I order straight from fluckers. The USPS had them in the truck to long and they got cold and died is what I am thinking. I can't have them shipped to the post office because they kinda through a fit when I asked. So, anything as an "oh crap what now" is something I am looking into. Was wondering if one of those water based gel foods would work but just unsure.....

 

[NickAVD]

I have been looking into a supplement of sorts for Tyrion. I ran into an issue just this past week that the entire shipment of Dubai roaches were dead when they arrived. Now, this is because I live in a town with no source so I order straight from fluckers. The USPS had them in the truck to long and they got cold and died is what I am thinking. I can't have them shipped to the post office because they kinda through a fit when I asked. So, anything as an "oh crap what now" is something I am looking into. Was wondering if one of those water based gel foods would work but just unsure.....

You can use crickets if they are available. Try to find canned roaches in your local pet stores. I think it will be better.
Obviously you should use an alternative postal service to get the roaches. Once you get them, try to start your own colony so that you do not have to depend on the postal service. Roaches reproduce very well and require almost no time to maintain a colony.

 

[ChileanTaco]

The other issue you run into is that most dragons are encouraged by movement to eat. With the exceptions of salads which they recognize as vegetable matter.

I'm also pretty sure he wouldn't eat it. If I observe him eating (hand-feeding, or I am right next to him when he is eating from the bowl), if there is an insect moving not or significantly less, he precisely leaves that one out - must appear to him unappetizing, I guess. Doesn't look to me like a "feeding reflex" triggered by motion, but he looks, thinks, selects.
I think that's really like when we humans have a bowl of e.g. cherries and decide not to eat that one that looks a bit weird but all the others are fine and the existence of all the nice cherries won't make us eating that particular one.

Could think very well this has evolved as insect moving less or not at all = insect is possible sick, full with parasites. Like for us fruit that's moldy = do not eat.

(So I'd say very hard for them to overcome it, when even for us humans - knowing that the food is safe (the dragon does not know) - that looks like this but indeed is fine sometimes still might feel unappetizing or really gross, like edible forms of mold like in blue cheese, or "fun food" where it's done intentionally like Halloween food.)

 

[AHBD]

As far as canned or any non moving insect, many beardies will still eat them when hungry. Just try poking them around near the dragon so they appear to be moving or use tongs. They might also eat some reashy grub pie, scrambled egg [ microwaved with no oil for a minute or slightly longer in a small soup bowl ] but these things should be temporary and not fed in large quantities.