Won't eat Phoenix worms...help

[bonz152]

I've had my 3 month old Bearded dragon for about a week now. We were hoping to feed him mostly Phoenix worms as a staple but aside from eating a couple of them the first day he arrived he won't touch them. So we were forced to go out and get crickets. I'd LOVE him to at least start eating some Phoenix worms so that we can keep crickets to a minimum but so far, no luck.

Everything seems good in his cage - basking between 102-106, cool side between 76-82.

He's eating about 15 crickets a day and for the first time yesterday at a lot of his salad (dandelion greens, squash, collared greens). Other than the crickets, he won't usually eat much when we're watching him but I think he's starting to become more comfortable with us and is letting us pet him and move him within he cage. So far we haven't really taken him out of his cage yet since he still has some stress marks. They have started to fade a lot but we're trying not to handle too much until he's settled.

Is there any way for me to get him to like his Phoenix worms? Should I try Repti-worms (i know their supposed to be the same but wondering if there's any difference for taste). How about Silk worms? How to you keep and care for them?

 

[FBradshaw]

You say you've had him for about 1 week which may be the cause of his lack of appetite. Beardies sometimes suffer from relocation stress when moved into new enclosures and should pass in a week or so. Give it a couple days and then try offering them again. Silkworms are very good for beardies, however they are very expensive and not so easy to care for.

 

[bonz152]

In the morning (about an hour after lights on) I give him a salad and a bowl of Phoenix worms. Then later in the day I give him crickets. I leave the worms there all day (in a glass bowl so that they don't get out). Is that alright?

 

[bonz152]

6 Phoenix worms gone from his bowl this morning. It's a start at least!

 

[ZeusAlmighty]

Try a salad of blueberries with them. Or mix in some other worms too! Don't feed em the berries too often but they helped me stimulate their appetite.

 

[ZeusAlmighty]

Try a salad of blueberries with them. Or mix in some other worms too! Don't feed em the berries too often but they helped me stimulate their appetite.