Calcium troubles?

[Jaime]

Is my baby calcium defficient?...Ive tried but he wont eat anything if it has the power or the liquid...ive tried both...I do feed the crickets calcium quencher but I worry its not enough ...what can I do to encourage my 1 year old to eat more calcium!? Hes a little smaller than id like to see, he had a late start, when i first got him he didnt eat much for about a month and since then hes been growing a slightly smaller scale in my opinion..his body looks to be in good shape, good muscling, carries himself well, speedy little hunter and sheds regularly. He gets veggies and crix regularly. Thanks in advance

 

[Aleena]

Put some of the calcium powder on his nose. He will involuntarily lick it off throughout the day

 

[Jp]

I would just focus on dusting live food 3-4 times a week.

 

[Germ]

The only other alternative that I can think of, would be to feed foods that have very high calcium to phosphorus ratios. What comes to mind is Collard Greens as it's staple Green as it has an extremely high ratio, something like 14:1 & Phoenix Worms for it's staple Prey item, as they are said to have a ratio of 1.5:1, putting them in the ball park of the desired 1.5-2:1 ratio that we are looking for. Most other live feeders have a very low ratio & really require to be dusted. If I was in the situation you describe, that it absolutely refuses to eat anything externally supplemented with Calcium, this is what I would do & that is pretty much all I would feed with the exceptions of fresh Papaya periodically tossed in, which also has a higher ratio of something like 5:1, along with periodic Mustard, Turnip & Dandelion Greens for a change up, as they also have a higher ratio of something like +2.5:1.

 

[Jaime]

Thanks everyone! and thats great advice Germ! I was so glad to hear you say collards...thats been his staple veggie since I first got him as a baby and I didnt even realize it had calcium. Hes a very picky eater and I usually have to feed him his favorite to keep him plump...I always give him a mix of veggies and a few fruits as a treat here and there but collards have always been his very favorite, he gets angry with me if I dont give him any collards and attempt to introduce something else lol. Ive tried some squash, nope, kale, he eats a few nibbles, sweet potatoes, nope, mustard greens, he nibbles, collards, he cleans his bowl! Stawberry, gone in 2 seconds and finally carrots, also gone in only a few bites haha (those last 2 are pretty much fed here and there as a treat to mix it up)...I have no experience with pheonix worms...where do they sell them and is he old enough/big enough for them? I will be glad to try those.

 

[Germ]

Phoenix worms & Reptiworms are one and the same, both the Larvae of the Black Soldier Fly. Your year old would have no trouble with the large ones. I have never used them, so am not all that familiar where to get them, also I am in Canada. Unsure what part of the world you are in? In the 'For Sale' section I know Small Pet Feeders has an ad for them. There is also Reptiworm.com, Phoenixworm.com & I'm sure many others. As I am unfamiliar with them, hopefully someone else that uses them will chime in to give their input, where they get them, how long they will keep before turning into flies, etc. I know Jessica Domke, one of our members, swears by them.

 

[jessica domke]

lol germ is correct. phoenix worms are really good feeder insects, the only down fall being, even the large 1's aren't all 2 big. but here is the cheapest site i have found. hope this helps! http://www.smallpetfeeders.com/presta/112-phoenixworms

 

[Germ]

Jessica, how long will they keep, will they turn into flies after so long. Can they be gutloaded, I noticed in Small Pet Feeder's ad, it states that you don't feed them ???

 

[WatfordOleary17]

In my experiance with calci worms( uk name for repti worms) I found that most died within a week, they r very small so quite a few would b required for ur dragon to feel full

 

[jessica domke]

@ germ, u are correct. u do not need 2 feed/gutload the phoenix worms. they come in a small plastic container that has some kind of like it almost looks like sawdust looking oatmeal. & ur suppose 2 put a few drops of water in it once in awhile, but i guess it keeps the worms alive & healthy. i 4get what the stuff is called & wut it contains. they can turn in2 flies after awhile, but they go so quickly, they really don't have time to change. u can tell if they're starting 2 change, cuz they get way darker in color...which is y u feed those 1's first. but they keep 4 a couple weeks. even the large 1's are so small, they don't really last 2 long. but they are in my opinion, a very good feeder insect, aside from how small they are. this site has a few +'s bout the phoenix worms. http://www.floridaherps.com/live-phoenix-worms/

 

[jessica domke]

i believe it's like wheat bran or something of that nature

 

[Aleena]

i believe it's like wheat bran or something of that nature

sounds like what i've heard... maybe oat bran? but that was for super worms so... probably not applicable here, sorry!