New beardie... a question

Peanutplus6 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 12:03 PM

I went to a pet store to buy crickets and I think they are too big. The guy said they knew the lady I got my beardie from and what size to feed him but I just think they are wrong. First of all, they are bigger than between his eyes. Also, I watched him yesterday and he tried to get them 5 or 6 times and kept missing. They were just too fast for him. It seemed he got frustrated and just stopped trying. Then the little guy kept climbing on the glass toward me like he wanted me to hold him... too weird, like he just wanted the crickets to go away. I picked him up and he went fast asleep, like he was exhausted. I took the 5 remaining crix out... he did manage to eat 2 that were smaller. Oh, and I would say the crix are 1/2" and most are a "big 1/2" size.

I didn't ask the exact date he was born but Erwin is only about 6 inches. So I am thinking he still needs "baby" crix. Do I tell the store a size? I said "the smallest you have" and this is what they did! ugh! I am so frustrated!

The pet store doesn't open until noon ... should I wait and exchange the crix or try them again in a couple of hours when he is probably rested? (It's 5 am now)

Someone please help! I am already attached to this little guy... it would kill me if something happened to him because the crickets are too big for him to eat. I have to admit... this is the "filthiest" pet store I have ever been in. It pains me to even go back there but they are right around the corner and Petsmart is a good drive away. It's hard to get back and forth to the store so often. Any suggestions for how many crix to buy at a time and HOW to house them??

A couple more things... what is a good "time" to feed my bd? Should I not feed him too close to nighttime? Does it affect his digestion with changing the basking bulb to red? And I just read something about someone who "times" their lights... Should I only put the UVB on for a certain number of hours and the basking, too? I just turn the UVB on around 8 or 9 a.m. and turn it off 8 or 9 p.m. at night. Then, I keep the white basking bulb on from about 8 a.m. until night time and switch it to red.

NONE of the care sheets on the web are detailed enough for someone without ANY experience.

Would you recommend any books on beardies out there?

Thanks for your help!!

Stacey

spike06 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 02:03 PM

feed 1/4". just order them online. 1000 for like $20 shipped. ur beardie should easily be going thru 25+ crix per feeding. him climbing on the glass is just him seeing his own reflection and hes trying to get to it.

easy way to house crickets...get a 10gal tank with a screen top. take 2 or 3 jar lids, turn them upside down and put cricket food in them.

feed ur beardie about 1-2 hours after the light goes on and feed no less than 2 hours before they go out.
leave the lights on 12-14 hours. both lights, the basking and uvb.
i wouldnt use red light just because beardies thrive on bright light and reptiles cant see the red.

the 2 site i ordered crix from are Premium Crickets and Armstrong Crickets -

and not to be mean, but u shouldve done more research before u took in this beardie.

Peanutplus6 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike06

and not to be mean, but u shouldve done more research before u took in this beardie.

While I DO very much appreciate your advice, this comment was HIGHLY inappropriate. You don't know me, don't know my research, and therefore should not make flipant remarks. I have admitted I am new to reptiles. I have admitted this is my first beardie. I am ignorant to raising them because raising one in theory is a whole lot different than raising one in real life.

Also, I am asking questions because the local pet store AND breeder have given me advice that has conflicted with "my own" research. I am in this predicament because after telling the pet store "owner" that my beardie was 6 inches, he gave me 1/2" crix. I also questioned him AGAIN after he handed then to me, to make sure he did not misunderstand me.

And btw, I would say that I am very smart, actually, in coming to you guys, the "experts", who can mentor my boys and I through correctly raising this little guy. Everyone needs mentors in their life. Noone knows everything about a beardie. And those willing to admit that will gain lots of useful information along the way.

And IMHO, good "research" is surrounding yourself with the people who have done what you are trying to do, not being afraid to ask "ignorant" questions, and being open to opinions other than your own.

~Stacey
Wife to 1 Comedian
Mom to 6 kids, 1 dog and 1 beardie

angrybananapeel · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 03:46 PM

For some reason you get some crazy pet store owners who have crazy ideas. One of my local stores doens't even have different sizes in crickets. God, I hate that place. Definitely going to have to start ordering them online until it's an adult. Sounds like you're doing fine. How big is the enclosure? I had to bump my baby down to a ten gallon for a while because of trouble catching the crickets.

spike06 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 12:49 AM

stacey, i am sorry if my comment offended u. u are right, i dont kno u, or anything about u. the reason i made the comment is because the questions u asked are questions that u shouldve known the answers to before getting the beardie.

Peanutplus6 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angrybananapeel

For some reason you get some crazy pet store owners who have crazy ideas. One of my local stores doens't even have different sizes in crickets. God, I hate that place. Definitely going to have to start ordering them online until it's an adult. Sounds like you're doing fine. How big is the enclosure? I had to bump my baby down to a ten gallon for a while because of trouble catching the crickets.

Contrary to what most advice says, I, too, have him in a 10 gallon tank for starters. (I appreciate your honesty in that!) I know he will need bigger soon but gosh, he definitely wouldn't be able to catch the crickets if in a bigger tank.

I DID go back and exchange the crix, btw, and the guy told me he was sorry. He said that he was going by what my breeder friend orders and what they feed theirs. He sounded shocked I said my beardie couldn't catch them and that I was still concerned about their size. But he did not mind switching them out at all.

I honestly did not know or even think of ordering online. I order EVERYTHING online but did NOT think I could buy crix that way. So that was huge advice!! (Thanx Spike06!) Since my neighbor's son got a beardie as well, we will be able to order 1000 easy and share them.

Thanx for your input...

~Stacey
Wife to 1 Comedian
Mom to 6 kidz, 1 dog and 1 beardie

Peanutplus6 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike06

stacey, i am sorry if my comment offended u. u are right, i dont kno u, or anything about u. the reason i made the comment is because the questions u asked are questions that u shouldve known the answers to before getting the beardie.

No worries...

~Stacey
Wife to 1 Comedian
Mom to 6 kidz, 1 dog and 1 beardie

spike06 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 01:36 PM

if u share the crix u will run out FAST!!! when spike was on crix he would go thru the 1000 within 2-3 weeks. a 10gal will work fine until
hes about 10-11" or so.

as for him catching the crickets, try putting him in a small rubbermaid container. small enough that he can catch them easier, but big enough so he can move a little bit..make sure its also about 8" high so the crix cant get out.

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