Baby Beardies died

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Its upsetting to report for all those who love beardies, but 20 out of my 22
babies have died over the last couple of weeks.

It's a mystery, I have checked everything, lighting, impaction, heat, died,
but it has made no difference.

The beginning sign is listlessness, unsteadiness, and spasms, I have read
everything, could anyone tell me what they think it could be.

Please help, I have 2 precious beardies left, which have outlasted the others
by 1 week.  Hoping they will survive.

Thanks

ANSWER: Having no info what-so-ever I certainly cannot make a diagnosis.  YOu should take one of the deceased lizards to a vet for necropsy, that will tell you what might be wrong.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have 2 Adult Females and 1 Male Beardies.  They are all about 3 years old.  The females had 2 clutches each, between october and november 08 (Spring in Australia). There were 60 eggs laid between them, of which 25 were not fertilized, 10 died prior to hatching due to malformation.  several were born with deformaties (intestines on outide of body) these beardies were euthenaised.The beardies are now between 4-5 mths old approx 11cm - 13cm long (approx 4inch) from tip of nose to tail (there were 2 which were 9cm).  

They all were placed originally in a 20ltr fish tank, with heat and UVB&A** subtrate paper towels, Diet consisted of various green chopped lettuce (not iceberg)with Wombaroo reptile suppliment, + bearded dragon calcium supple +buttercups.  Several times a week they were given pinhead crickets, tiny meal worms both the crickets and the meal worms were gut loaded  They all had great appetites, and were doing very well, however I was becoming a little concerned that they were not growing very quickly, 2 of which seemed not to grow at all.

After 4 weeks, placed them in a large fish tank approx. 60-80litres.  We set up their tank with flurescent UV
lighting throughout tank, one end being the heat source,the other end their food and water. They had various logs to bask on + rocks and little hiding places, they looked very healthy and very active.  

There was lots of pooh, all of which looked fine, dark brown specked with white, formed.  The Food and water containers were cleaned daily just with water and dishwashing liquid.
The sand was strained 1 - 3 per month and logs etc were cleaned 1 or 2 a fortnight in water and detergent, and left to dry in sun.

All seemed well except I was concerned about the growth, I began introducing new foods alfalfa,broccoli - blended.  Bits of treats were introduced now and then apple, banana.

Then several weeks ago I found one dead in cage, it was a tiny one so initially I thought it was natures way to ween out the strong from the weak. Then the following day another died again it was a little one.  At this stage I placed all beardies out side in the sun, and spring cleaned their tank.
I replaced the sand with Paper again just to be sure they were not getting impacted.  

All was well for several days, and then a larger size beardie died, this is when I knew I would probably loose them all, I was noticing some were not as active as they were.  I spent several hours bathing them in warm water and messaging their stomachs just in case they were inpacted, a small amount of olive oil was given to each.  

The next day a few more died, because they had just died I autopsied them, all organs seemed fine, their was no evidence of impaction.  There was also no evidence of infestation, in or on the body, as the week went on more and more died, there seemed no use to seperate them at this stage, for if they had a disease they all would have it, besides a lot of them know were on the quiet side.  About 12 hours before they died, they would get quiet, listless, if they mobilised it would be slowly and some would shake.  Several hours prior to death they would have small spasms, twisting of the head (maybe this was due to the actual dying process.

All in all it was very stressful and upsetting.  I have two beardies left, they look fine so far, they have outlived the others by a week, I have been putting them outside in the sunlight, to be sure they are getting the proper UV rays. I have also introduced carrots, chicken, and papaya to their diet - all chopped up very small.

I think the reason they may have died is probably due to malnutrition for I think the UV light may have needed to be replaced for it was several years old, but I can't be sure. I did replace it, but it was obviously to late by this stage. I was also considering impaction due possible sand ingestion
(I was not aware that this substrate was not advisable for baby beardies)

These were my first beardies, I was not sure of the rate of growth of beardies, but I should of been more mindful that it should of been a quicker rate then what was occuring.
Therefore what do you believe may have been the cause, I never took them to the vet, it all happened so quickly.  We live in the country, a long way from suitable assistance in this matter.  I did however spend much time even before the babies hatched reading all about beardies, so I be would well prepared for their arrival.

I miss my babies.

Please help if you can.

Thanking you  

Answer
NOW THAT IS HOW YOU ASK A QUESTION!!!  Very nice.  I have very few concerns about your set-up but here are the ones I have.

Is there any chance they ate something while outside that may be the cause?  Pesticides on the grass, fire-flies, ants(???).

Was the chicken cooked?  Chicken can harbor some nasty stuff.

You live in Australia so you know better than the rest of us that the outback is not covered with paper towels.  I personally don't buy the whole sand is bad for babies thing.  Maybe so, but then how has this species survived in the wild for so long?

The UVB could be a problem especially if they went the entire first 4 months w/o a good UVB source.  But as you had so many malformed in the eggs I'm wondering if you don't perhaps have some genetic issues to deal with or maybe some incubation issues.  Do you have any way of knowing how closely related the adults are?