Feeding BeeGee... Too Much???

[SoleSky]

Hello All,
I recently switched to reptiworms (and waxworms mixed once a week as a treat). BeeGee is now about 2.5 months old, I've had him for a month. Anyway I'm posting because he seems rather fat or bloated maybe. Today I came home and he usually eats a lot but he only ate about 5 or 6 reptiworms, just didnt seem interested. Each morning I leave 20 worms and in a bowl for him to eat and I also feed him one when I get home, also 20 worms. At the end of the day I feed him 10 or less. I have had many mixed reviews on how much I should give him. But seriously, how much should I give him? I trust your answers the most.
I just want to know because I was worried when he wasn't eating as much as his ravenous self. Or it could be that my mom fed him like she likes to secretly do because she claims to want to have nothing to do with him.

 

[beardie_love]

I am not familiar with reptiworms. But at that age, they should eat as much as they can 2-3 times a day in 10-15 minute intervals.

 

[SoleSky]

Well they're A LOT different than crickets in the way that they don't have to run around the tank to catch them. I just put them in a bowl and he chomps away which is why I feel that more than 20 is too much for him every feeding. He gets about 50-60 a day. Plus they are more calcium packed so I just don't know. I might alternate between crickets and reptiworms every other day to give him some variety and friday is his wax worm reptiworm treat. I also bought some butternut squash and he seems to eat that too. Idk he just seems a little bloated or overweight to me. I'll get some pics up and you guys can tell me wht you think but it will have to be tomorrow because hes sleeping. Any input would be great. Thanks so much guys

 

[staylor]

I am not familiar with reptiworms. But at that age, they should eat as much as they can 2-3 times a day in 10-15 minute intervals.

These are the same thing as Phoenix worms.

Each morning I leave 20 worms and in a bowl for him to eat and I also feed him one when I get home, also 20 worms. At the end of the day I feed him 10 or less.

He should be allowed to feed on these until his belly is full/he stops eating on his own. I would suggest alternating crickets. A variety of feeders is better. It gives them a more balanced diet and keeps them from getting bored with their food. Just to give you an idea on how much a baby can eat, Piggy would eat 120+ size appropriate crickets a day plus some Phoenix worms, and her whole bowl of salad. She had a bit of a large appetite but it is possible for these tiny babies to eat that much food in a day. Baby dragons grow very fast and need a lot of protein to grow properly. Just feed till he is full. The Phoenix worms are high in calcium so you do not need to dust them with powder, but they do need the D3 that is in the powder and that is where the crickets come in.

As far as the fat/bloated look, I thought the same thing. But it turns out she was not fat she was just growing and that is how they look. Here is a picture of when I thought she was fat but it turned out she was getting ready for a growth spurt.

 

[SoleSky]

aWesome thank you so much . I will feed him until he's full. Great advise and all. I will buy some crickets aftr school. He almost needs to be upgraded to larger crickets.

 

[li]

I dont know much about reptiworms...but many times you need to be careful with worms. They can have a much fattier nutritional value which can cause that. I am not saying that is the case since I don't know the value of those....but it is worth looking into.

With crix no worries...just feed 2-3x a day as many as he can eat in 10 minutes.

 

[SoleSky]

Well reptiworms are low in fat and high in calcium. What is d3 and should I dust his veggies? He doesn't eat many veggies maybe like a quarter of a bowl. But for D3 what's should I do?

 

[zebraflavencs]

D3 is a vitamin that is produced in the lower layers of the skin.
This is produced naturally when the animal is exposed to sunlight or artificial uvb rays of certain strengths.
Hope this helps.

 

[li]

If they are low in fat..then I don't think you can have a problem. He is probably just well fed.

D3....your calcium should have D3 in it. UNLESS you get your beardie outside for natural sunlight every day for 1/2 hour to an hour. Otherwise make sure you are giving it.

 

[staylor]

Lisa, reptiworms are high calcium, but low fat and low phosphorus. Some say they are better to feed then crix but like any other worm the cost cant get high depending on how much the beardie is eating. Gina (I think, sorry if it was not you Gina) does not like feeding these b/c she has seen them survive the digestive track and come out alive. I will see if I can find the thread where Brian and Gina where talking about them.

 

[renich]

Also, I would cut out the wax worms until your dragon is at least 8 months old. Very high in fat.
Are you offering salad daily?

 

[SoleSky]

Oh okay will do about the wax worms. Salad is offered EVERYDAY with multiple varieties: Always collard greens and butternut or yellow squash with sometimes a combination of carrots/grapes/cucumber/peeled apple. It all depends on whats in the house and my moms garden. For the most part he doesn't touch the salad, a nibble here or there, but he likes his protein. In my opinion worms are much cheaper than crickets. I spend about $11 on a pack of 300 and it lasts him 2 weeks whereas I have to pay $3 every 30 crickets and thats about $10 a day give or take. It's a ripoff which is why I switched. So far I haven't had any problems with Phoenix worms and he seems to really like them. Today I gave him some crickets and he loved them but he is the worst hunter in the world and doesn't even like to chase them he just waits for them to hop by his face. The problem with that is he eats much less in 10 minutes than most other dragons (i assume) so worms was a good option because they are all right there.

 

[staylor]

worms are good to feed as long as they are no bigger then the space between the eyes. Crickets from a pet store are a rip off. I would order mine in bulk from a couple different places and I would get 1,000-2000 for an average of $22 shipped. The hunting of the crix does get better and once they get the hang of it they will chase them down and gobble them quick. Just remember variety is key and it seems like your doing that. Many people have roaches that the breed and feed those that way it is only a one time start up cost and they have the bugs for the remainder of the beardies life. Try to limit the apples, they suppress the appetite. And carrots should be offered sparingly as they can cause a vitamin A toxicity. Everything else sounds good.

 

[SoleSky]

Thank you I do a lot of research and am trying not to make the mistakes that a lot of new owners make. I know petstores are a rip off but I just dont need 1000 crickets. I don't have enough room for them. Shipping is just too ridiculous, repitworms ship for 299 and I love it. Plus I get a 20% off coupon every time i order. I like cricks but only if I alternate. Reptiworms are very small and perfect for him. If it wasn't for you guys BeeGee wouldn't be so healthy!

 

[staylor]

I completely understand about the worms and if they are working for you keep feeding them.

 

[SoleSky]

Thanks for all of the input. I found that my mom was feeding him during the day in secret. I guess thats why he was like "I don't need your food" when I came home haha. She loves to watch him eat and I can't believe how mad she was at me when I first got him but now she loves him its so ironic. However he is a cutie pie.


Another question not relating to this thread but how do you guys measure your beardies (head to tail? Stomach?) Also where can I get a scale that does grams?

 

[staylor]

you measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. I use a soft alteration tape measure. In the past I have put tape on the counter and marked with a pen where her nose is and where her tail ends.

As far as a scale I picked one up at Walmart in the kitchen area for $20 I think. I know it was cheap.

 

[Pogie]

When I measure mine, shes NEVER in a straight position and I simply can get her to sit stil on a counter to measure her.
So Ive taken a piece of yarn (Any string would do) and I drape it from her nose along the centre of her body, along the curves to the tail tip. It actually grips well on the scales.
Then I remove the yarn and straighten that next to a tape measure.

I use a digital kitchen scale as well. Theyre covenient and cheap.