Hatchling Feeding

[Brucey]

Howdy,

Some of my leo's eggs have recently hatched and I'm wondering about the specific feeding needs of hatchlings. I know they only begin to eat after their first shed and then need to be fed every day until 6 months or so. But my question is how much do they need to be fed daily?

The one hatchling that is currently eating is being fed 5 or 6 appropriately sized dubias daily. What supplement schedule should I be using? Would it be okay to switch to an alternating schedule of dubias and mealworms every other day (I'm working on getting a dubia colony going but it's not self-sustaining yet, and of course they're much more expensive than mealworms)?

Thanks to Elizabeth for the very comprehensive caresheet, but is there something I should be doing more specific for hatchlings?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You're welcome, Brucey! Feed the hatchlings all they'll eat in 15 minutes.

Once your dubia colony is off and running, it might feed ALL your leos. Be sure you're feeding the dubia and mealworms something like Professional Reptiles Pro Gutload powdered diet.

Hatchling leos begin with Supplement Schedule 124. As long as you use Zoo Med's supplements, I would NOT keep a dish of plain calcium inside the enclosures.

Weekly Schedule 124 for Leopard Geckos 0-12 months old
(withOUT UVB)​

Early stage metabolic bone disease (MBD) symptoms include uneven (lopsided) gait, walking on one or both "elbows", bowed limbs, belly dragging, and an underbite.

The Reptile Supply Company based in Lodi, California stocks Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3.

Feed lightly dusted prey 3x per week.

• Monday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3
• Tuesday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Wednesday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate withOUT D3 (Zoo Med's Repti Calcium or NOW human brand calcium)
• Thursday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Friday > > crickets or dubia lightly dusted with Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3
• Saturday > > mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting
• Sunday > > no food or free choice > > no dusting

 

[Brucey]

Thanks again Elizabeth! I guess I missed this in on the sheet

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks again Elizabeth! I guess I missed this in on the sheet

No worries at all, Brucey. Missing info is easy to do when there are so many links. That leo care sheet is a work-in-progress. :biggrin:

Schedule 124 has a daily alternating schedule of dubias and mealworms built right into it.