Rescue Beardie

[stumpylump86]

Hi! I'm new to the group and have just rescued an 18 month old bearded dragon called Kim. I have researched diet but there is so much conflicting advice! I think the one day cricket, one day salad/veg and one day no food will prob be the best for us (unless it's totally wrong!). Just wondering on the amount of salad/veg/fruit. I've read about 50 crickets per week. I just want to get it right and give her the good home she deserves! Thanks in advance

 

[Heather1979]

Hi, I personal would feed 5 days a week 8/9 crickets or 6/7 locusts and fresh salad. (No iceberg lettuce, spinach or too much fruit) beardies like kale, rocket, watercress, peppers , strawberries as a treat, dandelions ,cabbage , book Chou and mustard greens) there are more you can feed. On the other day you could do a salad and put about 5 large mealworms in it . Make sure your dusting your live food and salad with calcium every other day and nutrobal the other days this is very important. You can also give her a pinkie once a month as a treat although I know not everyone does. Make sure you are gut loading your live food . By this I mean feed the crickets /locusts with salad , bug grub and bug gel so they are nice and healthy for your beardie . If your beadie finds she can't eat all the live food don't panic it will vary on different days . If feeding crickets don't leave them in with her because they will bury themselves in the substrate and you won't know they are there. They also can bite the beardie , I keep to locusts because I find the crickets nasty little things . Good luck.

 

[Heather1979]

Sorry I meant on the other 2 days

 

[PatsyB]

I like to offer salad every day whether it gets eaten or not. They get a lot of their water from their salad. I also offer live food every day, some days they eat it and some they don't. I like to let them choose what they want to do.

 

[stumpylump86]

Thanks Heather! I will try this and see how we get on with it. We already have crickets, meal worms and the calcium as we have tarantulas and a gecko. It was just the quantities I was concerned about! With the salad, do you just put in a good handful and leave it a little while or leave it in all day so they can graze? Sorry for all the questions! I'd just rather get advice from someone experienced rather than go through the massive amounts of different advice on the internet!

 

[stumpylump86]

Sorry for the ridiculous timed reply, just finished a nightshift and forget the whole world isn't up at 4.30!

 

[Heather1979]

Don't worry , I offer and decent amount and spray it with water . On the days I don't offer locusts I will put a bit extra in and make it more varied . Do you know if your beardie is definitely female ?

 

[stumpylump86]

She's definitely female. The place we got her from take really good care of all their rescue animals so Kim had a full health check. Thanks a lot for your help. I think I will try to switch to locusts rather than crickets as I've heard stories of them injuring beardies and causing infections. I have an excellent reptile shop on the doorstep so offering a wide variety of food is easy. Is there any veg/fruit she can't have? I was told no to avocado and rhubarb as they are poisonous.

 

[Heather1979]

The reason I asked if she was female is because of her laying non fertilised eggs . If have does this and mine would lay about 15 every 4 or 5 weeks then she will start digging so you will need deep substrate for her to lay she will also need peace and quiet . After she has laid she will be very hungry so feed her whatever she wants to eat . A pinkie is good after, make sure your giving her enough calcium. Also give her a bath after she's finished laying and massage her tummy a little to make sure she has no eggs stuck as they can get egg bound which is very dangerous . You may also find she will want a drink . I tend to stuck with the foods I know but best thing is to get a list of foods not to feed her from the pet place you rescued her from .

 

[stumpylump86]

She is digging like crazy and we were told there is a good possibility she is going to lay eggs. We weren't sure what to do after other than remove the eggs, thanks!

 

[Heather1979]

Good luck , the eggs should be not to hard and not too soft . If they come out mushy that's not good so go straight to the vets .