Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[fireman sam]

hi everyone
i'm new to the forum and to keeping beardies,i purchased a pair of 4 week old beardies just before xmas from captive bred ( highly recommended ) there both very happy in their new home and both are eating 5-6 crickets a day and growing very fast the only problem is they won't eat any greens , i've tried most things,broccoli,courgette,kiwi,water cress its been chopped small enough but they don't even touch it can anyone help please? and does it affect them not havin greens? i look forward to hearing from you many thanks F.S

[Scott W]

Hi Gav,

They were feeding on shredded greens (spring green). If they are a bit fussy now, try not feeding any crickets in the morning, take out the water bowl for a few hours, then place some shredded greens (anything, they loved broccolli too) and spray the green with water.

That quite often gets them interested again. If not, try some iceburg lettuce but once they are taking it, don't let them have too much.

I wouldn't worry too much if they don't touch greens, some are never fussed about them and will still grow quick, strong and healthy.

Regards
Scott

[d4nclark]

I was quite lucky with mine. They started eating greens almost straight away. Mine has a liking for Cauliflower Leaves.

[JohnC]

I find that individual beardies vary in their liking for greens.
An adult pair that I have had for 18 months during which time they bred and eggs were laid, provided the extreme. The female never ate any greens all the time I had her. The male ate collard greens freely every day.
When they are only a few weeks old, I have found that they generally don't eat much veg. Some will eat a bit, some none.
As they get older, they turn to veg more.
I have two of my own breeding which are 4 months old now. I give them greens in the early afternoon and they usually eat some. Then I give crix after tea. If I give the crix first, they fill up with them and eat less greens.
Hope that helps.
Incidentally, collard greens are probably the best greens for them, they have a good calcium content. They are sold in the UK in supermarkets as Spring Greens (Asda) or Fresh Greens (Morrisons). They look like a cross between cabbage and Kale.
_________________
John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.