Undersized? And Digestion?

[samchavles]

Hey all, a couple months back I had an issue with my beardy. He was only 9 months old and underweight, and ate like a pig. Since then, I got him treated for parasites, and have been feeding him phoenix worms every day, as much as he can eat. He's about 7 months now, and 14 inches, and 135 grams. Is that normal? Or maybe hes just on the smaller end?

Also, for the past week, his phoenix worms have been coming out in his stool, some whole and some still moving. Which is disgusting by the way. Especially when he sees them moving around the tank, and eats them again...

Temps are about 110, so I don't think it's a heat problem. Repti Sun 10.0 UVB tube. Gets meals coated in Repti Cal twice a week, and I don't coat with calcium since I feed him Phoenix worms.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Also, he sheds normally. Always alternating between legs, then body and arm.

 

[daner923]

Sounds pretty normal to me. Maybe a bit on the small side, but the parasites may have caused that. He still has plenty of time to catch up, though. And by no means is he TOO small, just maybe a little behind the curve, or he may just be a slightly smaller dragon. As for the phoenix worms... that's actually pretty normal. What's happening is that he likes them so much and they are so small he isn't chewing some of them. This is why I stopped using them with Max. The way to fix that is to feed him just a few at a time, so he has to slow down. It will take a bit longer to feed him, as you will have to keep adding a few to the bowl at a time, but he won't poop them out alive. The other option is to poke them all with a pin so that even if he eats them alive, his digestive juices will get inside of them. It's not dangerous for him to poop them out alive, but eating them again can be dangerous - it is a good way for him to get parasites again.

 

[samchavles]

I'm out all day, so it's hard to feed him slowly ):
I got the worms so he can have an ample supply of food throughout the day. but he usually eats all the worms in one sitting haha

 

[XiDiS]

Whats your lighting and work schedule like? My lights are on for 13 hours a day and i am gone for 9-10 of that and still manage to give my baby 2 feedings a day. Maybe adjusting the schedule to something that works better is the key?

 

[samchavles]

The schedule is all day, every day, I'm working 14 hours a day ):
His lights are on 12 hours a day, and he doesn't bask all the time. Half the time he likes laying under his basking rock instead of basking.

 

[daner923]

As I mentioned, you can also use the pin method. It would take a few extra minutes in the morning, but then you wouldn't have to worry about it. Also, just want to mention - if he is eating all the worms you offer at one feeding, then you need to offer more. If you are going to leave food for the whole day, then you should leave enough so that he will have enough for a second meal later.

 

[samchavles]

Alright will do, he goes through a lot and they aren't too cheap haha, but it's fine. He loves them, and I love not having to deal with crickets. Why can't there be a good staple that doesn't cost a lot AND I can leave sitting in the tank all day with no consequence?

 

[daner923]

Dubia roaches? They cost a lot at first, but then nothing once your colony is established.