Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw an add for certified organic millet that said it could be used as a substrate for beardies. It is not made of walnut shells. It is supposedly passable if it gets digested. Has anyone had an experience with this stuff?

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0.0.1 Ball Python Pisces
0.1 Bearded Dragon Bindi

I've never used it but all I've ever heard is bad things. mold, etc. If you want a loose substrate I'd really consider sand box sand.

>>I saw an add for certified organic millet that said it could be used as a substrate for beardies. It is not made of walnut shells. It is supposedly passable if it gets digested. Has anyone had an experience with this stuff?
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hmm.. dry seeds mold and create pockets of nasty bacteria when they get wet. They expand when they get wet. If they are ingested, they will soak up the internal moisture of the animal and swell and cause internal blockage likely leading to a nasty death. I guess the stuff is safe if it's being used in a cage with a toy lizard and not a real live one.
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PHWyvern

Hmm. Do all your replies have to be sarcastic? The poster was asking for an opinion regarding what he/she read or heard. It makes people feel stupid when they get answers like that and prevents them from asking for help in the future. The point of the board is to offer advise and help, not critisize or degrade.

>>Hmm. Do all your replies have to be sarcastic? The poster was asking for an opinion regarding what he/she read or heard. It makes people feel stupid when they get answers like that and prevents them from asking for help in the future. The point of the board is to offer advise and help, not critisize or degrade.

A person stating an opinion about an OBJECT (in this case a particular product) in a matter of fact/direct way is not in any way shape or form criticizing or even degrading a PERSON - the person is not the topic of the discussion -- the product is what was being discussed. You choosing to attack a person for having stated an opinion, however, is out of line IMHO.
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PHWyvern

Sorry, but posts starting with "Hmmm" and ending with "I guess the stuff is safe if it's being used in a cage with a toy lizard and not a real live one." just sound sarcastic to me. Maybe I am just too sensitive then.

heh, dangerous to correct the lady in charge of the forums LOL

But Wyvern is right, she isn't being sarcastic about the poster, just the product he is asking about.

Millet is basically a type of grain, most often used to feed budgies. It does mold and swell up...it probably won't cause blockage unless alot of it is consumed. It can also ferment...which won't be good, unless you want a drunk dragon on your hands.

It is also very slippery and unstable, thus your dragon or any lizard will sink through it and get little to no traction on it. All in all, it is a totally useless substrate for lizards. Great as a food source for mice and budgies though.

Oh and this stuff also can harbor grain mites and moths...adding a new collection of small bugs flying around the house.

Pretty much, of all the loose substrates available, the only good one for bearded dragons is washed children's playsand. Coincidentally enough, it is also the cheapest.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for the information as I was simply trying to get some ideas and I always research before trying something new with my beardie. I am thick skinned so sarcasm doesnt bother me.
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0.0.1 Ball Python Pisces
0.1 Bearded Dragon Bindi

person in charge of forums or not, i kinda thought the comment was a bit sarcastic myself, glad i wasnt the one who was being replied to with it, woulda made me feel like an idiot.
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Beach Beardies

2.2. bearded dragons
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

Yeah thats why I visited this forum alot before I posted didnt really expect that since I was simply asking for information to make the best decision from my animal. No offense to anyone in this forum but the posters in the Ball Python and Rainbow boa forum are less sarcastic and open to help others.

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0.0.1 Ball Python Pisces
0.1 Bearded Dragon Bindi

well most people here are very helpful and willing to offer any info or opinions they have. some are more pushy than others, some dont like when they are disagreed with, but thats life. only a select few, not many, are sarcastic and just plain rude sometimes. i just dont expect it usually from a forum moderator
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Beach Beardies

2.2. bearded dragons
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*