"force feeding" a beardie? When/How?

[KarlW]

Hi everyone,

I know this isnt the best of topics, but i thought i would ask for some thoughts on it.

As some people know, i bought 4 tiny baby beardies from a local shop (who i have sworn never to buy animals from again - we estimate these were no older than a week old when they were sold to me) and unfortunately 1 died.

Of the 3 remaining, 2 have huge appetites after we have managed to get them to eat properly (as far as i know, the petshop didnt feed them as much as we do/they needed)

So they are now eating alot(might be declaring bankruptsy soon if this goes on......) but 1 only seems to want to eat about 2-3 hoppers/day (maybe that is all the petshop fed them, i am unsure)

I have tried various things - moving him to a different container for feeding, changed from crix to hoppers as they are slower and he prefers them, but still he only eats 3-4 on a good day, and appears to not be putting on any weight.

Ive had him nearly 3 months now, and he is still tiny. I have considered wether i need to look at forefeeding him, but then again, ive had him 3 months and he has lasted this long without eating a huge amount (i was hoping it was just because he was the little one of the litter) On the plus side, he seems to like the cress we put in with him.

Any advice is appreciated

Karl

[ju5t1n]

im not an expert on beardies not by a long shot but i would have thought it very difficult/impossible to force feed them, imo (what it counts for) id just make sure everything he does eat is gut loaded and dusted in the nutrients that way no matter how much he eats you know he is getting the right stuff

[liz200898]

You need to seperate them, chances are the smallest if feeling bullied/thretened and stressed out its quite hard to get very young beardies to eat anyway.

Have you had a fecal test done on them? if you haven't why?? it could be parasites that are causing it not to put on any weight, you should get them all tested espeshally if the shop wasn't one of the best.

You could try a couple of wax worms once a week maybe just jump start its weight gain, don't feed it too much cress because at such a young age it can give it runny poo's which can dehydrate it, but ultimately its either going to be down to stress or health so you need to get it in its own tank and get them tested asap.

Hope this helps.

[Adam W]

Force feeding is only used as an absolute last resort as it is very stressful on the animal.

The first thing you need to do is separate them out as already said, their is most likely a hierarchy system where the smallest beardie doesn't get any food and is highly stressed out much like if we as humans are being bullied or abused.

One per viv is your best bet, if your little one will not eat after a week or so then get him to a vet, they are the ones who can best make the decision as to whether force feeding is appropriate or can advise you on the best course of treatment. Be prepared to pay a bit of money, but remember this is a life.

Please get them to a vets before you attempt to force feed, it can be very stressful, its not even something that I'd attempt without expert advice. Also please do separate them, it would be a shame to lose another if it could be avoided.