Vita-Bugs Bearded Dragon Study
The BHB Study conducted by Brian Barczyk
A few months back, world-renowned breeder Brian Barczyk wanted to discover what was the best and most nutritious way to feed his lizards at BHB Reptiles. His standard practice was to either gut-load his feeder insects or dust them with vitamin and calcium powders. His question is; is it possible that a nutritionally enhanced feeder insect line can be capable of carrying the same or even more nutrients than the traditional methods reptile and amphibian owners had been using for years?
The Test Outline
Brian set up three groups of Bearded Dragons that were all hatched within days of each other. Each group contained 12 babies that contained the same exact genetic makeup. The first group would be fed crickets that were dusted, as his staff would normally do. The second group would be fed crickets that were fed on a commercially sold “gut-load” diet. The last group were fed a combination of Timberlines’ Vita-Bug® crickets and CalciWorms®. The animals were raised in completely similar setups and had the exact same feeding schedules. As the test went on two factors were tested, overall animal weight and the eyeball test, or how healthy and attractive looking were the animals.
The Results
By the end of the first month significant results were prevalent. By the end of the second month not only did the Vita-Bug® groups growth exceed the other two options but their colorization was astonishing comparatively. The last month continued without any major surprises and the Vita-Bug® group continued to separate itself from the other two groups.
Brian’s overall findings are quite noteworthy. Not only was the Vita-Bug group the healthiest but also had the best colorization. Additionally the Vita-Bug® and CalciWorm® combination method was the easiest way to care for the lizard groups. No more worrying about whether the employees were supplementing the insects or reordering vitamin supplement supplies when they are low. Brian has now switched all his lizard groups to Vita-Bugs® and is enjoying the time and money savings as well as seeing the health of his breeding groups explode with the switch!