Super worms

[Peppe]

Hello I currently have 3 bearded dragons and am currently using crickets as a staple. I have had it with crickets and am looking for something else to use a staple. Dubia is out of the question because my parents will not have that in the house. So is there anyone that uses supers as a staple? Have you had any problems? Would you recommend it? Thank you in advance.

 

[ShannyBeard]

Superworms have about a 1:18 Ca ratio, so they have about 9 times more of phosphorus than they should for it to be a healthy staple. You can use them as a feeder in combination with other more healthy feeders, but not as the only feeder. It can cause a calcium imbalance, and it's hard enough to prevent MBD without the overload of phosphorus in the diet. Make sure you always dust them with a fine grind calcium supplement, as it is hard to get calcium powders to stick to them.

If you can buy silkworms, butterworms and hornworms in addition to the superworms, then you'll be fine.

 

[cybercat]

Butterworms and silkworms are a great staple. Easy too keep and easy to order online. Just go to Mulberryfarms.com.

 

[Peppe]

Thank you for the replys

 

[diamc]

Moved here from General Discussion forum since it is about feeders.

How old and what length is your beardie? A young beardie still has a kink in their digestive tract so anything like supers could be hard to get down and digest sufficiently.

 

[Peppe]

2 of them are a year and 7 months. The female is 17 inches and the male is 20 inches. I also have a 5 month old that is 12 inches but I wouldn't start feeding her super until she is a year old and 16 inches long.

 

[diamc]

You could certainly try the adults on the supers. It's always a good idea when you first start offering them to only feed a few and wait a few days to make sure their bodies are passing them ok rather than showing big parts of undigested worms.

 

[Claudiusx]

I have used superworms as a staple for years and haven't had any problems.

Diane had good advice, start them off slow on them. All too often they get over excited and eat way too much too fast and can end up vomiting. 2 or so a day for a few days is a good start point.

-Brandon

 

[diamc]

Exactly and since they have a harder shell, they can dry their systems out so also a good idea to make sure they are kept well hydrated or they may have a problem pooping.

 

[Peppe]

Thank you for all the help. I have a few question. How would I get the calcium powder to stick to them? Could I sprinkle some water on them and then dust the powder on them soothe powder will be able to stick better? Also after I get them used to eating it if everything goes well, how many should they be getting a day?

 

[Claudiusx]

I have no trouble getting powder to stick to my superworms, but I usually dust the salad instead.

-Brandon

 

[NeosMom]

Brandon & Diane... I see that you both feel that supers make a good staple. Both Figment & Fluffy are absolutely addicted to supers and are up to 6-7 each in the evenings. I put them into their salads to get them to eat more veggies. I have been considering crickets to be the "primary" feeder with supers being more of an extra. But my babies have decided that they love their supers and are starting to turn their noses up at the crickets.

Do you think this is going to be okay? It doesn't seem like enough to me, but they won't eat more crickets and I'm reluctant to give them more supers.

Oh... They are both roughly 6 months old and almost 17" long. And eating less than a dozen crickets a day now.

 

[diamc]

I always recommend at least 2 feeders at a time to keep their interest and keep them guessing as to what they will get that particular day. Even though they're not to crazy about crickets now, that may change in a wk and only want crickets, I have been through that several times over the years. :lol: Have you thought about dubias, silkies or horns? Those are some other good choices.

 

[NeosMom]

Oh! Hornworms! I want hornworms so badly!!!! Can't get them locally. It's totally not worth my effort unless I order them in and make an effort to really keep them. Have actually investigated breeding them and talked to my local pet shop about whether they would buy the extras from me. They said yes.

I don't know anything at all about silks. I think they will be my next investigation.

As for roaches... I live in SW Florida. We have roaches that have mutated into something the size of small dogs. And they fly. Double puke. Stupid laws here say I can only deal with roaches that are native to Florida. That sticks me with the icky flying palmetto bugs, or bringing in a different type of roach to breed. I've met one guy locally that uses roaches and he breeds lobster roaches. Those things can climb. :bleick: No way!!!! I don't mean to be squeemish, but roaches are just a touchy thing around here.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Peppe]

Thank you guys for all the help. Just one more question about how many super worms should my dragons be getting a week if that becomes their main diet?