Feeding Frequency by Age
How often you feed your beardie changes dramatically as they grow. Here's a simple breakdown:
| Age | Insects | Greens | |-----|---------|--------| | 0–3 months | 3x daily | Daily (offered) | | 3–6 months | 2x daily | Daily | | 6–12 months | 1–2x daily | Daily | | 12+ months | Every other day | Daily |
Daily Schedule for Baby Beardies
A typical day for a 0–6 month dragon:
- 8:00 AM — Lights on, allow 1 hour to warm up before feeding
- 9:00 AM — First insect feeding (10–15 minute session)
- 12:00 PM — Fresh greens offered
- 2:00 PM — Second insect feeding
- 5:00 PM — Third insect feeding (optional for hatchlings)
- 8:00 PM — Lights off
Always feed in the first half of the day so your dragon has time to digest before temperatures drop at night.
How Many Insects Per Feeding?
Let your dragon eat as many as they want in 10–15 minutes for each session. A healthy baby can easily eat 20–50 small crickets or dubia roaches per day.
Watch for:
- Eating enthusiastically = good sign
- Ignoring food = check temps, stress levels, shedding
- Bloating = reduce feeding, check for impaction
Greens Every Day
Even if your baby ignores greens at first, keep offering them. Mix a small amount of bee pollen powder or fruit juice onto the greens to entice eating. This habit pays off enormously when they're adults.
Calcium Dusting Schedule
| Supplement | Frequency | |-----------|-----------| | Calcium (no D3) | Every feeding | | Calcium (with D3) | 2–3x per week | | Multivitamin | 1x per week |
Transitioning Schedules
When your dragon starts slowing down on insects (usually around 12–18 months), that's normal — they're becoming more herbivorous adults. Gradually shift the ratio toward more greens.
Summary
Consistency is everything. Feed at the same times each day, dust supplements properly, and keep fresh greens available. Your dragon's growth rate will tell you if you're on track.
