Hey all I've heard beardies can be fed the occasional pinky. Do you think it would be a good idea to give my recent rescue a pinky to help him build some calcium and fat? I have to pick up a rat tomorrow for my snake, figured I may get the beardie a pinkie if yall think it might help.
Also I'm assuming if it is advised that a live pinky would be prefered? I don't think he would take it without it moving.
We don't recommend feeding pinkies as they are very high in fat and the bones could cause health health issues including impaction. The only time it might be considered is when a beardie has laid eggs but is otherwise in good health.
If your rescue is thin and hadn't been fed properly, a pinkie mouse could overtax his system causing liver & kidney damage. Better feeders would be dubia roaches, hornworms, silkworms, butterworms or even crickets or superworms. Best to feed more than one feeder so your beardie stays interested.
Ok thank you for the info, I appreciate it. I've had him on a superworm/cricket and fresh salad diet. He seems to be putting on weight in his belly pretty good, and he's having good frequent poops. But his hip region just still seem so skinny to me, that's what I was primarily worried about.
Hey all I've heard beardies can be fed the occasional pinky. Do you think it would be a good idea to give my recent rescue a pinky to help him build some calcium and fat? I have to pick up a rat tomorrow for my snake, figured I may get the beardie a pinkie if yall think it might help.
Also I'm assuming if it is advised that a live pinky would be prefered? I don't think he would take it without it moving.
Just food for thought here... I know most here don't agree with pinky feeding, but why do you need to put all the calcium we do for our bearded dragons? In my opinion it's because all we feed them is bugs and in the wild they will eat small animals with bones which gives them the calcium they need.. So in my opinion I like feeding pinky mice although I don't because my wife won't let me lol.. Not like their food is dusted with calcium in the wild and they aren't getting mbd.. Just something to think about and hopefully discuss
Years ago I gave my adult dragon a pinkie. He bit it in half and would not eat the other half. I don't have an objection to occasionally or rarely feeding a pinkie if it comes from a clean reputable place. But even the frozen rodents aren't guaranteed to be free from salmonella so I don't chance it.