What is best for my beardie?

[msina11]

I am owning a bearded dragon for the first time so everything is quite new to me. When it comes to his diet I am still not sure what is really best for him. If i give him beardie pellets, does he still need to be fed crickets? And also, can I give my beardie dead crickets or only live food?

 

[Mistyck]

Yes he needs LIVE food, not just pellets. That's how he's going to get his protein. If you don't like crickets, then try hornworms, calci-worms (phoenix worms) or dubia roaches.

 

[Soulwind]

Some beardies will eat the "canned crickets" that some pet stores sell, some won't.

Either way, the canned ones are quite a bit more expensive than live crickets, and less nutritious
(since you can't gutload them and because of the canning/preservation process).

Crickets are, in turn, quite a bit less nutritious than some of the other options (Phoenix Worms, Dubias, etc)
but are easier to get and cheaper (unless you start up your own colony).

Those beardie pellet foods are OK as a supplemental diet, but you shouldn't really use them as your only food,
(assuming you can get your beardie to eat them at all -- neither of mine will touch the stuff).
Yes the label says those pellets are "complete" nutrition, but you still need to give good gutloaded insects and
fresh salads/veggies, in my opinion.

 

[unkempt1]

Soulwind said it best (I disagree about Phoenix worms being a comparable staple, but that's another thread). If you are looking for convenience, just get crickets and properly gut-load them. Feed them green-colored stuff from this website: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html. Offer those items that are "green" to both your dragon and the crickets, along with the pellets.

If raising roaches is right for you, do that! My dragon LOVES roaches and they are easy as hell to breed (fun too)! :twisted: Let me know if you are curious about raising them! I'm always willing to offer my experiences and advice!