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Post by Steven on Mar 23, 2005 21:50:46 GMT -5
I still don't trust bird seed at all, but thats just my opinion.
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Post by geekcoboy103 on Mar 23, 2005 22:48:01 GMT -5
Why not, it's food isn't it? There is nothing different between bird and reptile digestive systems. They are even related back to the Cretacious period.
-collin
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Post by elizabeth on Mar 23, 2005 23:21:16 GMT -5
Exactly. If you want it to be safe and look good at the same time... Go to Homne Depot (or Lowes) and buy 'Wild Bird Seed'. DO NOT BUY IT FROM A PET STORE. Pet store brands have added sugars and 'treats'. There are rumors that it molds when wet, it does not. If it gets wet, small plants will begin to grow, just reach in and pick them out when they occur. If the Bearded dragon eats it, no big deal, it's made for eating. If it is dusty when you dump it out, rinse water through it. Then blow dry it. I think it looks very cool. And no matter what ANYONE says, sand is sand, and bad is bad. Sand is ROCK. Rocks aren't something your mother would feed you, so don't be the father who feeds his kids rocks. Good luck. -collin Actually the suggested seed is the Parakeet seed the one with no sunflower seeds etc added to it... I use it for my Uros and they are thriving and it works great for them!! It warms up nicely under the lights and they have something they can dig into...
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Post by jeremyhaas on Mar 30, 2005 18:49:20 GMT -5
I agree with Elizabeth I wouldn't use anything but the parakeet seed, the shells on several of the seeds in the wild mixes would be difficult to digest and the risk of impaction increases. The parakeet seeds not only have a thin shell, if the shell is not digested fully it is round and small and his dragons would be old enough they could easily pass them.
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Post by Steven on Mar 30, 2005 21:07:41 GMT -5
I just dont think its the best, I dont like wheat bran either, but thats just my 2 cents. I recently tried non ahesive shelf liner and I love it! It looks really nice and doesn't slide around. I dont know if I will use it all the time cause its hard to keep up with when you have many reptiles, so newspaper is still #1 with me, lol!
Steven
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Post by elizabeth on Mar 30, 2005 22:05:34 GMT -5
yes the only two I have the birdseed for are my Uros but Little Foot is on newspaper... My snake has another kind of bedding in his tank to hide under etc... the frog has moss and so on and so on... It really is a matter of personal choice and then a matter of being a responsible owner and researching the choices...
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Post by prismwolf on Apr 2, 2005 23:19:10 GMT -5
I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here.
I know there has always been, and always will be, a debate on proper substrates for certain animals. I would like to point out that though many herps, such as the tropical species (igs for example), should never be kept in a sandy environment. Then there are those whose natural habitat is exactly that...sand. These animals have adapted/evolved to accomodate these special living conditions. IMHO...and that is all it is so take it for what it's worth...that these animals, with proper hydration, should do fine on substrate of their natural homeland.
I would definitely never use any of the other particualte substrates such as corn cob, bark and the likes. Calci-sand is also out in my book. Purchasing regular playground sand for ADULT beardies would be acceptible. Babies should be kept on newspaper just because they are so small.
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Post by prismwolf on Apr 2, 2005 23:40:52 GMT -5
Actually...there are differences. The digestive system consists in enlargements of parts of the esophagus, the crop, where food is stored and softened. The stomach is divided into the glandular and muscular parts. In the latter, or gizzard, food is subjected to mechanical treating with the aid of pebbles ingested with food.
Bearded dragons do not have this type of digestive system. Even with my Uro...I grind it in a coffee blender and add it to the 15 bean soup which is also ground in the same machine. I have fed the whole seed to her...and it comes out quite whole.
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Post by gimlimakaio on Apr 3, 2005 10:03:04 GMT -5
i would definately NOT recommend bird seed for bearded dragons. the only truly safe thing to use is shelf liner or newspaper. everything else has risks.
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Post by Steven on Apr 3, 2005 13:49:55 GMT -5
The thing is, beardies DONT live on sand in the wild! They live on hard compacted clay which is much closer to newspaper, shelf liner, or paper towels, THEN it is to sand! See, the people who use sand, bird seed, wood chips, etc. ALL know that there is a risk and that things CAN happen, so why do they want to take the risk? I dont get that!
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Post by geekcoboy103 on Apr 11, 2005 19:14:17 GMT -5
Really, Elizabeth? Our wild bird seed has no sunflower seeds. Thought only parrot food had that stuff in it. I didn't mean to say no difference. And I didn't know parakeet seeds had thinner shells either. Can someone give me a link where I can buy sugar-free parakeet seed? Thanks.
-collin
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Post by zachbaker on Apr 12, 2005 18:42:51 GMT -5
I eventually did change to parakeet seed and they did get some into their system but after they did their business I did not see any whole peices of parakeet seed in their poop. I guess they did digest the seed. I watched them eat a little of the seed when I was feeding them. The seed gets all in their food dish and such so if they eat any it isnt doing them any harm. They didnt seem to be affected by the change of substrate. Well just thought I would put a close to this discussion because their is no point in arguing it any more. Late, zach
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Post by geekcoboy103 on Apr 12, 2005 19:15:38 GMT -5
That's good. Thanks.
-collin
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Post by Steven on Apr 12, 2005 19:45:29 GMT -5
We're just saying that there are risks to the loose substrates. Things might work out for awhile but then suddenly change. You never know.
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Post by mark on May 1, 2005 19:52:29 GMT -5
I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here. I know there has always been, and always will be, a debate on proper substrates for certain animals. I would like to point out that though many herps, such as the tropical species (igs for example), should never be kept in a sandy environment. Then there are those whose natural habitat is exactly that...sand. These animals have adapted/evolved to accomodate these special living conditions. IMHO...and that is all it is so take it for what it's worth...that these animals, with proper hydration, should do fine on substrate of their natural homeland. I would definitely never use any of the other particualte substrates such as corn cob, bark and the likes. Calci-sand is also out in my book. Purchasing regular playground sand for ADULT beardies would be acceptible. Babies should be kept on newspaper just because they are so small. this is wrong... the part about sand is 100% wrong... beardies do not live on sand in the wild, they live on a hard packed, clay type material. www.reptilerooms.com/Sections+index-req-viewarticle-artid-93-page-1.htmlid definatley say that ANY particle substrate is dangerous to beardies health, they can get impacted from it, and that can cause death. btw, playsand has still caused impaction in beardies, i have seen it myself...
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