Any luck with commercial dragon food?

[MTovar]

Both were introduced to pellets while still on live prey. Then slowly taking them off. If I can remember right, on the back it says that pellets can be used as the only source of food, claiming that they have every thing that they need. Both dragons had new MVB bulbs, and were handled daily. They were ALWAYS in their " Dark " Stage, and again seemed to not grow nearly as well as my other dragons. One was started at a few months of age, and the other as a sub adult who seemed to hardly grow while on them. Again, this is just with two dragons, but I think the best way to raise dragons is with insects, and pellets just as a treat in their salads. If people do decide to feed pellets, offer dusted insects daily as well, along with their salad.
Dragons are not cheap to raise, anyone who properly owns one knows that well. I get asked alot about pellets and that is why I tried them, because people seem to think that it is a cheaper way to raise them.

I am curious if you remember the Bearded Dragon forums from 10ish years ago. If so do you remember Tom and Jackie Vandiver? I think many people in the midwest will remember this very nice couple from show displays and their website. Large, healthy, and colorful dragons. All raised on Rep-Cal juvenile pellets...no insects. You probably know the benifit of not feeding hatchlings crickets as you went to silk worms. The same can be applied to pellets. There are benifits. It is NOT about being cheap.

I was not a huge operation by any means. But I did have several groups and at times was getting 80 babies well started. Feeding 80 babies by hand is in no way cheap I'll tell you that. Time=money. I did not have a pet store, nor a business. These were my pets and I raised them because I did presentations for schools and scouts and felt they were a great reptile pet due to the docile nature. Sharing the lizardlove

What I do wish to refute is that pellets can not make a good "main" portion of a healthy Bearded Dragons diet. This is simply not true. I know this from raising healthy, vibrant, tame Bearded Dragons. The OP asked how to introduce it, I dont feel adding it to the food is the best way for the reasons I posted. I wanted to give the OP some good methods for her question as well as dispell any misconceptions about pellets.

If you try changing the diet to Pellet Food, just try one of the methods I used. It really does work and if they take to it...unless the formula has changed, if you have the correct set up, you will have big healthy dragons.

[Beardedragon]

I just think that anything artificial isnt the best main diet for these types of lizards. If you look on the back, it says that there is corn meal, which they cannot digest, and they are made of Majorily these fillers , and artificial colors. My concern is about quality and digestability, and that it is drastically lower than it is with dog or cat foods and lack of nutrition is often made up with by throwing in a bunch of random vitamin powders.

Also, are you talking about these forums, or BD.org?

[MTovar]

Also, are you talking about these forums, or BD.org?

I really havent been there in a while. But it was BD.org, yes. I remember they were great forums. It has been a while.

I did find an old Care sheet from the Vandivers. Just to show that I am not the only person did not have issues with pellets. We just use different methods for starting the animals on such a diet. Here is a quote:

"No more crickets! We have done away with feeding crickets/mealworms and vegies except for occasional snacks. We now feed them Rep-Cal bearded dragon food (a dry food - pellets in a jar). A small dish daily for hatchlings up to 6 inches SVL, followed by hand feeding the little ones once a day (usually evenings). Larger dragons 6 inches SVL and up, we give 5-6 pellets daily. Watch your fingers if you hand feed them these pellets. For both the juvenile and adult food, you soak the food in warm tap water about 5 or 10 minutes before you feed it to them. The food should feel spongy."

here is the link for the quote:
http://members.tripod.com/~bearded_dragon/BDCare1.html

They never sold young babies and they were always healthy, plump, and Tame as tame could be. They hit the midwest shows and had some of the best beardies hands down where they attended. So even if one does not agree with how they (or I ) cared for their dragons. One could NOT say they were unhealthy, had runny poop, or were skiddish.

My point was to give the OP what she asked for basically. I did not go to the extreme the Vandivers did with strickly pellets. BUT, I did use it as a main source and the methods I posted for the OP are a terrific way to start it.

I hear ya though about how you feel the best way to care for your beardies I dont think everyone will have the time to use the methods I used. But I want to be clear...I know it works BECAUSE I had very healthy, vibrant, and tame dragons. My daughter does now. I would not give the advice otherwise.

[MTovar]

it says that there is corn meal, which they cannot digest,

I am genuinely interested in finding out where this information about "cannot digest". Could you provide a link please?

[Crazy4Herps]

I will accept no less than fresh greens and live bugs for my boy. I'm sure there are at least a few good beardie diets out there, but I want to be positive he is getting his vitamins and proteins and I'm not about to trust any of those companies that recommend compact UVB bulbs and calci-sand for beardies. In any case, he won't eat anything that's processed or freeze-dried. The spoiled brat.

[BrianaK]

I'd stick with the crickets and phoenix worms. Sometimes I'll soften the commercial food up with hot water and put it in the cricket carry. That way they eat it and then the beardie gets it as well.

[Beardedragon]

I am genuinely interested in finding out where this information about "cannot digest". Could you provide a link please?

I will look for a good link a little later.

Corn itself is VERY hard to Digest, think about what you often see in your OWN stool

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Well it seems my little dragon is on Matt's side because this little guy absolutely REFUSES to even try the dragon food. He only wants to stuff his belly with his worms and crickets and occasional greens. I did get him to accept some greens from my hand the other day but as far as the dragon food goes, no go.