Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got 11 beardie eggs that are supposed to hatch in May, but I have a question that I want to ask because I know I'll forget to ask if I wait longer. How long are beardeds when they hatch? how much of that is tail? I know that crix needs to be no bigger than the space between their eyes, but how big is that on a tiny little hatchling? Should the cricets be 1/4 inch or what? Also, how fast should I expect them to grow? When would you say is the earliest that I can safely sell them, I heard five inches or five weeks, which ever is first, but I'm not sure if this is right. That ended up being a lot of questions, but its better to ask them now than when I have a swarm of little beardies!
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"Let us step out into the night and pursue that mighty temptress, adventure." (Albus Dumbledore)

My menagerie
2.1 Ball Pythons 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa 1.0 Corn Snake 1.0 Dumeril's Boa 1.2 Bearded Dragons(and 11 eggs!) 2.1 Crested Geckos 1.2 Sudan Plated Lizards 0.0.5 Eastern Painted Turtles 1.1.5 Eastern Box Turtles 1.1 Eastern Red-spotted Newts 1.0 Northern Mockingbird 0.3 Chickens 2.0 Cats 1.1 Ferrets 1.4 mice 0.0.34 London Shubunkin goldfish

the size of a hatchling when it comes out of the egg, usually is between 3-5 inches, average being about 4". The final size depends on the size of the parents and the over all health and fitness of the female.

Most baby dragons are not hungry out of the egg as they are still full from yolk, so typically won't eat for a couple days after coming out of the egg (note that they can pip and remain partially in the egg for a day or two, become coming out completely, often they are still absorbing the yolk. So once they are fully out of the egg, they usually are good for 1-3 days before they will eat.

About half the length of the dragon is tail...not sure if its slightly over half the total body length is tail, or slightly less...I can't recall.

1/4" crickets usually are fine for hatchlings...or smaller...

As for how much they will eat and how fast they grow, depends on many factors. Feed as many crickets (offered in small amounts at a time) each dragon will eat in 5-10 minutes...3-4 times a day for hatchlings to about two months old..then 2-3 feedings a day with finely chopped greens offered (most likely ignored but keep fresh green available, eventually they will realize that stuff is food)

gutload the crickets 24 hours before feeding to your dragons.

keep in mind a single dragon baby could easily eat 100 crickets a day (spread over multiple feedings) so keep that in mind when ordering crickets in bulk.

I think most breeders sell babies who are at least 6" long. Head to tail tip, which can make them as old as 6weeks, but again, each dragon can grow differently, even if they eat the same amount. This length of time ensures they are well established and more able to endure the stress of shipping and going to a new home.

I also feel that babies should not be housed more than 5 in the same bin. Larger ones should be separated from smaller babies as their growth rates vary. This ensures the big ones don't get all the food.
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PHLdyPayne

thank-you, your information was very helpful! It sounds like I'll be very busy in a few months, and I'll have to get a job just to feed them! (I could go through 1000 crix a day)
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"Let us step out into the night and pursue that mighty temptress, adventure." (Albus Dumbledore)

My menagerie
2.1 Ball Pythons 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa 1.0 Corn Snake 1.0 Dumeril's Boa 1.2 Bearded Dragons(and 11 eggs!) 2.1 Crested Geckos 1.2 Sudan Plated Lizards 0.0.5 Eastern Painted Turtles 1.1.5 Eastern Box Turtles 1.1 Eastern Red-spotted Newts 1.0 Northern Mockingbird 0.3 Chickens 2.0 Cats 1.1 Ferrets 1.4 mice 0.0.34 London Shubunkin goldfish