Helping a bearded with a new start

[bluesox_68]

I just took in a 4-8 month? bearded dragon from a co-workers son, It was neglected and not fed well. I am looking for advice for feeding in regards to routine and and time too feed it. I raised a bearded 10 years ago but it started healthy. This guy is shy to eat while I watch. I'm thinking about feeding him in a smaller separate tote at the same time every day with a mixture of dusted crickets and worms with vegetables and fruit every 4th or 5th day but any ideas for timing? in the 5 days I've owned him he has only eaten a few wax worms. The 40 gallon terrarium is fine with ideal lighting and temps too. Thanks

[ManSlaughter33]

I would keep offering in the tank in the same spot or he will always expect to eat in that separate tote. just keep trying and leaving him alone to settle for a bit and he will figure out he will infact get be fed regularly. My beardie before he came to me only was fed brocolli slaw..

[bluesox_68]

Thanks for the reply, My concern is that I'm told that i should feed him crickets and whatever he doesn't eat after 15 minutes I should take out. Because the way his set up is I wouldn't be able to retrieve the crickets. Too many hiding spaces. I did that the first day thinking he would be starving and they crawled on him and he didn't do anything. I just don't want to stress him out. What do you think?

[ManSlaughter33]

Drop In 1 cricket at a time.. You could always hold it with tweezers.
I wouldnt move him to feed. It would cause more stress. Even my comfortable happy beardy wont eat anywhere other than the comfort of her home.

[bluesox_68]

Hmmm that's a very good idea. I hope my wife doesn't mind me using her tweezers lol, Actually i will go pick up a pair. I just want to see him eat a cricket and I will feel better, He will be getting a nice warm bath tonight too.

[pinefamily]

If he's undersized, maybe try offering mealworms with tweezers. Most beardies can't resist them. Not good as a staple diet, but an excellent way to get some weight on him a bit quicker. Woodies are an alternative to crickets, and a bit easier to handle with tweezers.
You can try just putting 1 cricket in at a time, as Manslaughter has suggested. Even if there are places for the crickets to hide, beardies are usually excellent hunters.
And I'd be offering him greens every day, even if he doesn't show any interest at first.

[ManSlaughter33]

yes greens daily.. even if he doesnt touch them.. he will if hes hungry.
Try offering mealworm just ot encourage him. or if you can get them Dubia Roaches.. Great staple and they go nuts over them.

[bluesox_68]

ok will do. He came with the small pellet version of these Iguana Foods (http://www.repcal.com/aiguana.htm) can anyone tell me if they are safe and if they have a similar nutritional value to the comparable bearded dragon pellets? I did put a small amount in but I cant tell if he ate any. I think these pellets were the primary food source for him too.

[ManSlaughter33]

ok will do. He came with the small pellet version of these Iguana Foods (http://www.repcal.com/aiguana.htm) can anyone tell me if they are safe and if they have a similar nutritional value to the comparable bearded dragon pellets? I did put a small amount in but I cant tell if he ate any. I think these pellets were the primary food source for him too.

I give my adult some once in a while.. but I'd stick to fresh green and good protein right now.

[bluesox_68]

I would love to get my hands on dubia roaches but every time i look I see its illegal and I'm nervous of responding to a kijiji add on them, With my luck it would be a sting operation lol

[ManSlaughter33]

I would love to get my hands on dubia roaches but every time i look I see its illegal and I'm nervous of responding to a kijiji add on them, With my luck it would be a sting operation lol


They're illegal here too.. But then again so is weed..
and that's everywhere. I still get Roaches , theyre listed as "Special Feeders" over here.

[bluesox_68]

I'm in southern Ontario. Know anybody that sells special feeders?

[ManSlaughter33]

Couldnt help you im Reeeaally Far West from you. .I'm in BC..

Good luck, depending on if this is a young or adult, try king worms?

[jarich]

If you keep the greens in there all the time, you wont have to worry about the crickets biting. They only go after a reptile if they are on the verge of dying from dehydration or starvation. Also look into Phoenix worms (black soldier fly larvae), silkworms, and nightcrawlers as these are all worms that have a much better Ca : P ratio and lower fat content than waxworms, mealworms and supers. Plus they are all legal in Canada ;)

As mentioned though, its likely just a bit of relocation stress right now. After a move, the corticosteroid levels are high, which lowers their appetite. Should get back to normal if all else is right, within a week or so. Try not to handle it until it gets back to eating normally. Do you mind if I ask what the lighting and temps are? Just good to get some feedback since its a new animal.

[bluesox_68]

Thanks for the tips and i will get the temps when I get home from work. Can roaming and wandering crickets create stress? I bought some tweezers and will try to feed him some worms when i get home, Would you say keep my hands out still for a few days or attempt a warm bath? I have handled him a few times but he is skiddish.

[pinefamily]

As Jarich suggested, keep all handling to a minimum until he settles in. His appetite should start to increase then too.
And don't stress about the crickets in the tank. Only worry when they start roaming the house. That's when I get into trouble.......

[bluesox_68]

So when I got home from work he ate 4 butter worms in front of me with tweezers and then had 10 small meal worms from a dish so that's encouraging! Tomorrow I will make a little sallad mixed with small pellets. When I get home from work I will throw in 10 or so dusted crickets. How often should he be dropping duces? Any health indicators from that other the color? To answer the other question about temp it's about 112-115 at the top of his basking spot and 90-95 in at the other end. I also have a 60 watt night blue bulb that barely emits light but helps with the night time temp. My guess is 82-88 but I will look in the morning.

[ManSlaughter33]

You can put a couple worms in the salad to encourage him to eat that too

[ManSlaughter33]

I don't use bulbs at night. I feel like if I can see it they can see it. I use a ceramic heat emitter :) no light only heat.

[pinefamily]

I don't use bulbs at night. I feel like if I can see it they can see it. I use a ceramic heat emitter :) no light only heat.
+1 with this. Any light can disturb a dragon at night. A CHE is the way to go if the nights get too cold. Bear in mind in their natural habitat, night temps can get very cold, although not below 0.

[bluesox_68]

Today was a successful day, I don't think he touched the salad but he eagerly ate 10 dusted cricket 1 by 1 as I slowly dropped them in. He's acting like he has a turkey hangover after the feast lol. I will also try to mix meal worms in the salad, seems like a great idea! My reasoning behind the night bulb came from best intentions. The last time I had a bearded dragon was over 10 years ago and this guy came as a surprise. I did remember that good things came from the lights for his bones and stuff so I figured if I could provide that during the evening it would be twice the benefit lol

[ManSlaughter33]

Night bulbs do not emit UVA/UVB so there is no benefit at night. Only disturbance. You were right to think about it and it was with the best intentions. But it is not the best idea :) ceramic best emitter my friend !!

[pinefamily]

I wouldn't bother with the pellets. In my experience, beardies won't touch them. If you want to use them up, tip a few in with your crickets. They will eat them, and then pass on any nutrients to your beardie.
And don't stress about him not eating salads; as they get older, they eat more "greens", and don't need as much protein (prey).