mealworms for hatchlings??

[damzookeeper]

I read somewhere on this forum that people feed their hatchlings mealies, is this true? I didn't think you could. I have always feed 1/4 crickets and stayed away from mealies till they were at least 4 months old. Is it safe to feed them mealies too? It sure would save me some money. lol, but I don't want to do anything that would harm them so please only answer if you know for sure. Thanks.

[reptilez]

I heard of ppl doin that to but have never tried it. I once tried feeding some baby beardies mealies. they ate them fine, but the next day there was regurgitated mealies everywhere; bad idea.

[LISA127]

I have fed baby leos mealies. I just try to feed them the smallest ones i can find, and i try to feed the white ones that have just shed. they are easier to digest. usually, tho, the babies don't seem to want to eat the mealies right away. I usually have to keep trying for a few weeks before they will accept them. then they end up loving them.

[damzookeeper]

reptilez beardies can't digest the chiten as well as the leos. Beardies would never be able to take as many mealies as a leo can. Even as adults. Imo it isn't safe to feed a beardie mealworms till it is about 10 inches total lenght. Even then I usually wait till they are 12 and they don't get many at a time. Leos however, can eat them at a young age and usually have no problem, I just wasn't sure if they could have them from day one.
Thanks Lisa I figured it would probably be the molted ones. They don't move all that much so that is probably why it takes them a while to get used to eating them. I may try it later on when I hear more about it or get brave. But for now I'll stick with what works for me, even though it's a little more dear. lol.

[beth wallbank]

i feed all of my leos baby mealies from the get go. Very little to no crickets at all, other than a treat for adults, along with pinks for adults. All of my leos are HUGE!

[Youkai]

I feed my hatchling leos small superworms the size of mealworms, and also mealworms on occaision as well.

[Pixie]

I've fed my little Pikachu little freshly molted mealies from day one and she loves them! She took to them right away with me. She's set up on paper towels and putting one an inch or two in front of her always gets her attention quickly! Just this week I got her used to eating out of a dish instead of one by one and she polishes it in 2-3 minutes! I give her small silkworms and waxworms 2-3 times a week and she's grown a lot over the past few weeks, has tripled her size

Pixie

[Smitty]

I feed all of my hatchlings meal worms, they love them. I just look for the smaller ones so they have an easier time.

[damzookeeper]

cool. Thanks for all the info. I may try using mealies when money is low or I am low on crickets. This is great to know. I doubt if I'll be able to pick out the molties to feed a couple dozen babies but I can do the small ones.

Thanks again.
Deb.