How Many Roaches to Feed a Bearded Dragon (By Age & Size)
Matt GorenShare
How Many Roaches to Feed a Bearded Dragon
One of the most common questions new bearded dragon keepers ask is how many feeder insects to offer per feeding. The answer depends entirely on your dragon's age — juvenile bearded dragons eat significantly more insects (relative to body size) than adults, whose diet shifts primarily to vegetables. This guide provides exact feeding amounts for discoid roaches at every life stage.
Bearded Dragon Feeding Chart
| Age | Roach Size | Amount Per Feeding | Feedings Per Day | Weekly Insects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling (0-2 months) | Small nymphs (1/4 inch) | 8-15 | 2-3 | 100-300+ |
| Juvenile (2-4 months) | Small nymphs (3/8 inch) | 10-20 | 2 | 140-280 |
| Sub-adult (4-8 months) | Medium nymphs (1/2-3/4 inch) | 10-15 | 1-2 | 70-210 |
| Young adult (8-12 months) | Medium-large nymphs | 8-12 | 1 (daily or every other day) | 30-84 |
| Adult (12+ months) | Medium-large nymphs or adults | 5-10 | 3-4 feedings per week | 15-40 |
The 15-Minute Rule
A widely used guideline: offer as many appropriately sized insects as your bearded dragon will eat in a 15-minute window, then remove uneaten feeders. This prevents overfeeding while ensuring adequate intake. For juveniles, this typically means 2-3 sessions of 15 minutes per day. For adults, one 15-minute session every other day or 3-4 times per week.
Sizing Rule: Space Between the Eyes
Feeder insects should be no wider than the space between your bearded dragon's eyes. This is the standard sizing guideline used by veterinarians and experienced breeders. Feeders that are too large pose choking and impaction risk. For most hatchlings, this means 1/4-inch roach nymphs. For adults, medium to large nymphs or small adults.
Why Feeding Amounts Decrease with Age
Baby bearded dragons are growing explosively — they can double in size within weeks. This growth demands enormous protein and calcium intake. An 80% insect diet is appropriate for juveniles.
As bearded dragons mature, their growth slows and their diet must shift to approximately 70-80% vegetables and only 20-30% insects. An adult bearded dragon fed like a juvenile will become obese — one of the most common health problems in captive bearded dragons.
Complete the Rotation
Discoid roaches should be the protein backbone, but a complete diet includes variety:
- Roaches 3-4x/week — primary protein (shop roaches for bearded dragons)
- BSFL 1-2x/week — calcium supplement (5-15 per feeding, no dusting needed)
- Silkworms 1-2x/week — low-fat variety (3-5 per feeding)
- Hornworms 1x/week — hydration treat (1-3 per feeding depending on size)
Supplementation with Roach Feedings
- Every roach feeding: Light dust of plain calcium (no D3)
- Twice monthly: Calcium with D3
- Twice monthly: Multivitamin (alternate weeks with D3)
- BSFL feedings: No dusting needed — 9,340 mg/kg calcium built in
Signs You Are Overfeeding
- Fat pads visible behind the head and along the sides of the body
- Tail base is round and pudgy rather than triangular
- Lethargy and reduced activity
- Refusing vegetables but eagerly eating insects (indicates too many insects, not enough greens)
Signs You Are Underfeeding
- Visible hip bones and spine
- Thin, flat tail
- Slow growth in juveniles
- Constantly glass surfing or pacing (hunger behavior)
Shop discoid roaches for bearded dragons — available in small, medium, and large sizes, shipped fresh with our live arrival guarantee.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
