Newbie Feeding Questions

[thepiefairy]

Hi there! In about a month I will be getting my first bluey. I've been researching and getting my supplies for a year now and I'm very excited. I'm having some trouble figuring out a diet plan. I have printed off the food chart in the care sheet section but I was wondering if I can buy some of the things frozen. I also have a huge garden and I could freeze some things and thaw them out for my bluey. Or does the food absolutely have to be fresh? The frozen things would mostly be veggies and fruit.

Any advice would be great. Thanks! =]

[Dakota]

You can use frozen, or dehydrated, it could/can take away nutrient/vitamins. I wouldn't feed STICTLY frozen/dehydrated veges, but that's just a person choice. It does come handly when you get babies that eat everyday.
As for fruit, I wouldn't freeze, just feed every so often when it is available.. they are recommended to be fed as treats.

[Susann]

There is no need for the food to be fresh. Some thiamine gets lost in the freezing process, but as long as you don't feed exclusively frozen it is perfectly fine.

Welcome!
Thank you for doing your research!!!
Do you have the vivarium all set up with good temps? Which kind of BTS are you getting?

[thepiefairy]

You can use frozen, or dehydrated, it could/can take away nutrient/vitamins. I wouldn't feed STICTLY frozen/dehydrated veges, but that's just a person choice. It does come handly when you get babies that eat everyday.
As for fruit, I wouldn't freeze, just feed every so often when it is available.. they are recommended to be fed as treats.

Thanks for the advice! I'll remember that.

[Dakota]

person? Wow.. I need to slow down.. personal*

[thepiefairy]

There is no need for the food to be fresh. Some thiamine gets lost in the freezing process, but as long as you don't feed exclusively frozen it is perfectly fine.

Welcome!
Thank you for doing your research!!!
Do you have the vivarium all set up with good temps? Which kind are you getting?

Thank you! I added notes onto the feeding chart and I'll figure out some type of schedule with frozen and fresh. I'm getting a Northern bluey. =] I have a 40gal glass vivarium with floor measurements of 36" x 18" x 16" and a locking screen lid. It was one hell of a battle getting that thing up the stairs by myself, ha! In the future I'm hoping to commission a custom tank from a local guy. I have a light for basking, aspen shavings, digital hygrometers and thermometers, a UV light, and a nice big water bowl. The only thing I have yet to get is a basking rock. It's hard to hunt down one big enough for a Northern so I may just go with something else. Everything is set up and working properly and I even got an UTH just in case, since I live in a fairly cold area. I want the best for my girl. =]

[Susann]

[Ellie_A]

The only thing I have yet to get is a basking rock. It's hard to hunt down one big enough for a Northern so I may just go with something else.

Do you mean a heated rock that plugs in? If this is what you are talking about then please don't get one! They are well known for overheating and causing burns. The best thing to get is a flat piece of slate, places like Home Depot and Lowes carry them in the garden centre usually. Put this flat rock underneath the basking light, the rock will heat up during the day and cool off at night. You can also glue some little legs to it which will give your bluey a hide underneath it.

[Susann]

The only thing I have yet to get is a basking rock.

Do you mean a heated rock that plugs in? If this is what you are talking about then please don't get one! The best thing to get is a flat piece of slate. Put this flat rock underneath the basking light.

I think that's what she's talking about, why she calls it a basking rock, rather than a heating rock
...I could be wrong though...

[thepiefairy]

The only thing I have yet to get is a basking rock. It's hard to hunt down one big enough for a Northern so I may just go with something else.

Do you mean a heated rock that plugs in? If this is what you are talking about then please don't get one! They are well known for overheating and causing burns. The best thing to get is a flat piece of slate, places like Home Depot and Lowes carry them in the garden centre usually. Put this flat rock underneath the basking light, the rock will heat up during the day and cool off at night. You can also glue some little legs to it which will give your bluey a hide underneath it.

I'd never use a heat rock. I do have previous reptile experience so I know better than to use one. Thanks for the advice about the slate, although the Home Depot near me doesn't carry them so I'll have to go hunting around at Menards and Lowes. I already purchased the light and know for sure it provides the proper amount of heat.