Substrate with babies

AdamSoS · 21-02-2009, 09:06 AM

Just a lil question as to what people use with there little one's.

I have two 6 month old margies and using sand/soil one side and wood chips the other but find the sand/soil is getting in there eye's a bit.

sandy · 21-02-2009, 09:25 AM

Reduce the sand as thats what would irritate the eyes. Soil is the substrate they would naturally have in the wild.

alotoffluff · 21-02-2009, 10:23 AM

I use pure soil one end and wood chip the other. Fluffy chooses the wood chip to sleep in, he really doesnt like getting his feet dirty in the soil!!!

Ozric Jonathan · 21-02-2009, 10:47 AM

I've been gradually using less and less sand in the mix. I do use a bit of sand with it still because the soil here tends to be a heavy clay. I also have quite a lot of stones in it, I make sure they are too big to get eaten. I also bring in naturally weathered bits of wood that have been lying in my garden for a year or two.

mazkc · 21-02-2009, 06:49 PM

I tried the sand and soil mix to start with but Paddy kept getting it in his eyes and didnt like it! so i now just use soil and he's fine with it!

sky · 21-02-2009, 07:35 PM

I use soil and readigrass with mine.

chris3012 · 21-02-2009, 07:50 PM

My babies (ibera 6mths) had been raised with a paper substrate. When I got them home I put them in 70/30 soil/sand mix and it irritated their eyes now got them on soil only and they have had no problems, as they get older I plan to add sand but in small quantities as my other ibera has a 70/30 mix and has no problems with it.

sandy · 21-02-2009, 08:23 PM

My iberas just have garden soil

janeL · 21-02-2009, 09:35 PM

I have never had any problems with just soil. I give it a good water every day and it is tickerty boo!

Paulg1 · 22-02-2009, 03:46 AM

most soil bought from a bag has a high sand content anyway. 99% of the time there is no need to add sand.

21-02-2009, 09:06 AM	#1
AdamSoS Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Worcester Posts: 396	Substrate with babies Just a lil question as to what people use with there little one's. I have two 6 month old margies and using sand/soil one side and wood chips the other but find the sand/soil is getting in there eye's a bit.

21-02-2009, 09:25 AM	#2
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Reduce the sand as thats what would irritate the eyes. Soil is the substrate they would naturally have in the wild. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

21-02-2009, 10:47 AM	#4
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	I've been gradually using less and less sand in the mix. I do use a bit of sand with it still because the soil here tends to be a heavy clay. I also have quite a lot of stones in it, I make sure they are too big to get eaten. I also bring in naturally weathered bits of wood that have been lying in my garden for a year or two. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

21-02-2009, 06:49 PM	#5
mazkc Member Hatched Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Midlands Posts: 499	I tried the sand and soil mix to start with but Paddy kept getting it in his eyes and didnt like it! so i now just use soil and he's fine with it! __________________ Maria 0.1.0 THB - Paddy ♥

21-02-2009, 07:35 PM	#6
sky Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Wales Posts: 2,901	I use soil and readigrass with mine. __________________ Kayx 2.7.4 THB 0.3.0 Gpigs 1 grumpy husband

21-02-2009, 10:23 AM	#3
alotoffluff Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greenwich, london, previously born and brought up in Kent! Posts: 2,127	I use pure soil one end and wood chip the other. Fluffy chooses the wood chip to sleep in, he really doesnt like getting his feet dirty in the soil!!!

21-02-2009, 07:50 PM	#7
chris3012 Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: washington NE Posts: 120	My babies (ibera 6mths) had been raised with a paper substrate. When I got them home I put them in 70/30 soil/sand mix and it irritated their eyes now got them on soil only and they have had no problems, as they get older I plan to add sand but in small quantities as my other ibera has a 70/30 mix and has no problems with it. __________________ 4 ibrea spur thigh, + 1 we board 4 weeks a year, 1 hubby, 3 kids, and so many grandkids forget names....lol

21-02-2009, 08:23 PM	#8
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	My iberas just have garden soil __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

21-02-2009, 09:35 PM	#9
janeL Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: northampton Posts: 1,435	I have never had any problems with just soil. I give it a good water every day and it is tickerty boo! __________________ www.urbantortoise.co.uk For Tortoise Food, Plants and Pre Alpin info & sales Hermanns THB 2:3:0 Algerian TGG 1.2.3 Ibera TGI 0.1.0[/CENTER]

22-02-2009, 03:46 AM	#10
Paulg1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,116	most soil bought from a bag has a high sand content anyway. 99% of the time there is no need to add sand. __________________ 0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry 0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo 1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino "Stop the world, I want to get off!"

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