Beardie Help

[vojnik]

Hi guys at APS,

First post here hopefully not my last. I have been given two central bearded dragons over 2 years old. They look considerably undersize for adults and the person who handed me them said they only had the ocassional contact with sunlight for uv exposure once a week if anything. I'm worried that they are ill because in comparison to the ones listed on APS they are tiny.

Any ideas on what i should do? This is them and their sizes the bigger is the female the smaller is the male.

Thanks for all the help.
Yfrog - 06112009459
Yfrog - 06112009460

 

[vojnik]

help anyone?

 

[knoxy1221]

you should have a UB blub in the tank at all times (10.0) keep it on for around 7-8 hours a day
the temps sould be around 35-40 degress they need heat for around 8 hours a day

what size tank do u have for the beardies?? ( 4ft will fit 2-3 fully growen beardies)

feed them 3 times a day with crickets and woodies nd some fruit nd veg

if i missed anything just ask

 

[bundysnake]

well i don't have much experience with beardies but i would get them in a enclosure that has a decent uvb bulb, get them on a good diet and get them out in the sun as much as you can.

Make a tub with a mesh lid and put them out in the sun, of course you will need to have the tub half in the shade so the have somewhere to cool down.

just my 2cents.

 

[Chris1]

how are the being housed?

are they eating?

i run my beardy lights with the sun hours, thats both heat and UVB. (be aware that they need to get within 6-8 inches of UVB tubes or coils to get the full benefit)

get them out in the sun as much as u can, u can get mesh sunning cages from herp shop or animal attraction.

dust their daily insect feed with phosphorus free calcium, dont let them over eat at teh start, offer a few smaller meals a day.

basking temps should be 40+

dont use any loose substrates till theyre healthy, u dont want to add to their problems. (if they havent had enough uv exposure their muscles might be quite wasted making them more prone to impactions)
choose roaches over crickets, better shell to meat ratio.
give them baths to help them poo, stay with them at all times and give them something to grip on to so they dont freak out. (like a facewasher or something, i used the bathroom sink when mine still fit haha)

offer them a fresh salad everyday.

mine get a salad of bok choy, chinese broc, butternut pumpkin, green beans, snow peas daily and sweet potato and carrot once or twice a week.

a 4x2x2 foot tank is recommended per beardy, its best to house them seperately so they dont bully each other, if u do plan to house them together 6x2x2 with a few hides would be ok,...

good on u for taking them,..and good luck!!!

 

[vojnik]

Ok guys ill get this gear then this weekend should i build a double bank enclosure and get my cousin whos a sparkie to wire it up? The two enclosures that they are in now are too poorly designed so i am thinking just to build a melamine one this weekend and then build a wire mesh outdoor bank and put it them in until i can get these uv fixtures and everything arranged.

Bloody mess if you ask me poor guys are weight undersize and underweight i would assume. BTW What vegies should i be feeding them normall brocolli/carrot/sprouts? Anyone know of any good cockroach supplier in nsw... i can't find anyone that isn't overly overpriced.

 

[JAS101]

what do they weigh?

 

[vojnik]

I'm not sure i haven't got anything that measures in increments under a kilogram

 

[Lollypop]

atm they look ok, about the size of one yr olds, but if they brumated over winter this would explain.
Just pretty much follow what Chris1 said. Observe them over the next little while to see if they're walking ok, standing well on all 4 legs, no visible shaking, that sort of thing- if any signs of these, need immediate vet visit (advisable regardless). Gutload the woodies/crickets with calcium& vitamin sups at least twice a wk.
Let us know how they're going!

 

[vojnik]

Yeh they are walking fine and enjoyed the carrots with the slight dust of calcium. I will get some woodies and start building an enclosure asap. Bloody woodie suppliers in NSW are rare.

 

[killerb]

What area are u in?

 

[knoxy1221]

you will have to show us some pics when they are good

 

[vojnik]

I'm in Fairfield near Liverpool NSW. Will do knoxy1221

 

[Darren86]

I've had 2 female beardies for around 2yrs now. I bought them at 4 months of age and they are both around the same size as yours. mine have always had access to UV, heat (40 degree basking spot), heaps of dusted food, and access to sunlight. they just never got big. i've had them at the vet, and been given clean bills of health and was told by them that some are simply small. i'm not saying there's nothing wrong with yours, but not all beardies are giants.

 

[Chris1]

carrot isnt great as a staple,..

NEVER use spinach, avocado or rhubarb

mine get a salad of bok choy, chinese broc, butternut pumpkin, green beans, snow peas daily and sweet potato and carrot once or twice a week.


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