Hello Kski,
I'm glad you have read all about brumation and it appears you've been doing a great job.
I can give you info on my 2 boys who are 18 mo.+, and their journey, neither one has gone into full brumation..... slowed down, but not full. I've even fed them with a (needleless) syringe and they always pooped daily, one boy usually pooped in his
bath, the other in the viv and smeared it everywhere
As they grew, they slowed down in their "daily constitution" because the need for high amounts of food decreased, so now, they poop weekly. I've tested their poop, everything is fine and it makes my life easier. You just want to check their urates to make sure their getting enough fluids, (white plug on whether it's hard or soft)
I know of folks who have prevented their beardies to fully brumate.......... some never do............. while others sleep for months. About your bd hide/cave, I have a boy that would stay in his 24/7, so I stuff up the holes during the day with soft cloths, then he's able to bask on the top and theirs no beardie anger. Then I open the "doors" when it's close to bedtime.
One note about syringing, (I have to do this daily), please only put the food on their lips and let them lick it off as oppose to putting the syringe in the mouth and giving 1cc all at once. I've had to give medication deep in the stomach with a syringe, but feeding the same way is a high risk for aspiration, they can't handle all that amount at once in their mouth unless your completed in their stomach, which is a special technic. It sounds drastic, but I learned the hard way,
They soon learn to lick from a syringe or spoon, so spoiled! FYI: Unsweetened applesauce, mineral oil gtts, or pumpkin are great laxatives, as mentioned.
I hope I havn't been redundant,
Keep us updated........Bugs and wishes to you and yours,