Baby Beardie question

[Greebo]

I have a premmie baby beardie that came out of an egg that I didn't think would hatch. He is only about 40mm from snout to vent (so tiny!) and I didn't expect him to survive the night. He is about 2 weeks old but I am yet to see him eat. I have been trying to get him to eat some tiny crickets but no luck.
Does anyone have some good tips/tricks that might get him started?

 

[bigguy]

Greebo, try force feeding him with small crickets and water. If not he will surely die. Best of luck .

 

[Greebo]

OK...any tips on how to force feed something so tiny?

 

[instar]

maybe you could blend water and crix into liquid mush and syringe it down ? have you tried fresh molt mealies? the wiggling might do it, be easier for it than jumping crix?

 

[Mr.K]

i had the same problem with a small one as well Greebo, and i soaked some beardie pellets in water to soften and then force fed. it took him 2 months to start to eat small crickets but ended up a champion feeder. Good Luck...and careful with the little fella, sounds like he would break easily

 

[Mr.K]

yep, ya pretty much have to use a small syringe, its hard work though

 

[Greebo]

the wiggling might do it, be easier for it than jumping crix?

I don't think the movement will help, I've seen crickets sitting on his head and he still shows no interest. I might try it anyway, it can't hurt.

 

[Mr.K]

maybe try also poking a half mealy in on the end of a toothpick?

 

[Greebo]

I syringed some food into his mouth and it seemed to go down ok. I was worried about it getting into his lungs but he appears to have swallowed it ok.
I almost need a magnifing glass to see where the line of his mouth is. I guess I'll just have to be very patient.

 

[craig.a.c]

Greebo, got any pics of the little fella??

 

[Greebo]

No pics yet but I think you were there when we first found him...or perhaps you were distracted by the Brown snake at the time.

 

[instar]

Good luck with it Greebs.

 

[spooky]

What about trying tiny woodies, I think crickets jumping would scare him when they are that little.

 

[instar]

thats a good idea actually, mine loved tiny woodies when they were small. let us know how it goes Greebs.

 

[angelrose]

Aww, i want to be its mummy, please keep us posted greebo, it sounds so cute. have you tried mushie pellets?

Angel

 

[Greebo]

I have been force feeding the little guy. I tried the mushed up pellets, a little hard to get through the syringe but managed to get a bit into his mouth.
This morning when I went to get him out, he fired up and put on a display. 4cm of fury! Hmmmm...I wonder...so I grabbed a cricket and waved it in front of him and bingo! It took him a little while to realise that it was food in his mouth but he eventually got the idea and ate it.
Woo Hoo! Doing the happy dance, doing the happy dance.

(If you told me 5 years ago I would be excited about a lizard eating a cricket, I would of asked if you'd taken your medication.)

 

[Guest]

Can't meal worms eat there way out of its stomack when there that small/Young?

 

[Greebo]

Yes, that's why you crush the mealworms head first.

 

[instar]

Good news Greebo, hope he keeps it up mate!

 

[instar]

Update??????