Worms as staple

[peepsmastro]

We got our son a baby beardie. He/she is almost 8 weeks and about 10" . He/she was fed crickets until we got him late last week. My only rule was no crickets, roaches, etc. Only worms. We have been feeding him super worms along with collard greens, bits of green bean, tried some papaya today.....is the baby too young for superworms as a staple? We also dust the worms.

 

[unkempt1]

The baby is too young. The rule is 16" from nose to tail before you feed superworms. A lot of people swear by Phoenix worms, but I prefer what you don't: crickets and roaches. :mrgreen: In my opinion they provide better nutrition when they are properly dusted and gut-loaded, but if you're 100% against both as an option you should go with the black soldier fly maggots (Phoenix worms, calciworms, or reptiworms). I don't think there are other viable, healthy bugs out there.

 

[peepsmastro]

Thanks. What is your opinion on baby bites?

 

[Mistyck]

They're not nutritious enough to feed as a staple. They can be fed as treats, but the dragon still needs live protein.

 

[unkempt1]

They're not nutritious enough to feed as a staple. They can be fed as treats, but the dragon still needs live protein.

Yes, there are some brands of bites that are really good for dragons, but they're really intended for older dragons. Now that mine is close to a year old, I'm thinking of mixing them in with her greens to see how she reacts to the different colors. Plus, if she doesn't eat them, they'll make a good chow for my roaches. Biggest thing about them is you want to moisten them because if they are eaten dry they could contribute to dehydration.

I think I'm understanding what you are getting at. You want a non-gross feeder option. There really aren't any if you don't want bugs in the house. In my opinion, you should focus on how you'll contain them. Maybe do some research on those cricket keepers where it's hard for them to escape because it has that little tube you gather them up with?

 

[Claudiusx]

There are tons of better worms to feed.

In order of first choices,

Silkworms, butterworms, Phoenix Worms, Reptiworms, Calciworms, hornworms.

And you shouldn't only feed one type of insect. You wouldn't like eating the same thing everyday, keep a variety in your dragons diet.

-Brandon

 

[peepsmastro]

Brandon, any website suggestions for ordering silk or butter worms?