Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I have the clutch of ten that are now a week old. I have a new home lined up for one, a young man (18) who helped care for the babies for a couple days this week while I was away. Although new to beardies, he's soaking up all the info I can give him, and has bought and set up a wonderful home for his new baby beardie. He's asking lots of good questions, and will be able to contact me with any further questions (he lives close).
I know to wait 8 weeks before shipping babies to new homes, but at what age would it be safe to give this young man his new pet? I'd be giving him one of the strongest, best eaters of the clutch. He's eager to get started, but willing to wait till I say it's best for the beardie. A fairly perfect home, I think.
Thanks in advance for your expertise and help!
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1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris
2.0.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Johnny
2.4.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Marigold, Caijun, Phoenix & Spook
0.0.11 beardie eggs in the incubator
1.0.0 Fattailed Gecko, Beltaine
3.0.0 Pet Rats, Monk, Spaz & Punkin
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

It is always best to wait till the dragon is at least 6 weeks old or 6 inches long (head to tail length) before getting them a new home. This ensures the dragon is pretty well established before it endures the stress of going to a new home. A change of environment is stressful for babies, whether they are shipped to their new home or hand delivered. Also, make sure they are eating well and don't have any other problems (ie parasites) this makes the change more easy to endure than a dragon who isn't eating well, slow to grow, has parasites etc.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for your help! One more question - is it safe to dust the crickets with Parazap to be sure the babies are parasite-free going to new homes?
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1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris
2.0.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Johnny
2.4.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Marigold, Caijun, Phoenix & Spook
0.0.11 beardie eggs in the incubator
1.0.0 Fattailed Gecko, Beltaine
3.0.0 Pet Rats, Monk, Spaz & Punkin
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

I don't think dusting with parazap will be a good ideal. From what i know of Parazap, it needs to be disolved in water (almost like a 'tea') and fed daily for a week or two (directions should be on the bottle or if not, on the website). You certainly can give the baby(ies) the tea a week before you give them a new home. IT probably be quicker just to get a fecal done by a vet to check for any parasites. If there are some though, will need to treat the dragon first, keeping it isolated and cleaning it's cage daily during treatment till the parasites are eliminated.
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PHLdyPayne