Horsfield Hibernation weight?????

[Rowan]

Hi,

Please can I have some help?????

Last year I overwintered my 2 horsfields as they were under weight for hibernation. The year before that I hibernated them for the 1st time for 8 weeks.

I'd like to hibernate them this year, not until December, but I am still a little concerened with their weight...........

They have both gained weight steadily this year, sometimes loosing some one week and gaining the next.

I weighed and measured today and I was wondering if they are still a little under weight to hibernate.

Tetley:- 488g (was 494g last week) and measures 136mm

Twiglet: - 288g (has been this for the last 3 weeks) and measures 110mm.

Thanks,

Row xx

[egyptiandan64]

Afraid to say they aren't much above the low for their size Row At Twiglet's size the low is 260g and average is 360g. At Tetley's size the low is 440g and the average is 600g . With hibernation wind down the weights would be close or at the lows for their size.
The only thing I can say is if you want to hibernate them, I'd feed them as much as they'd eat from now till November. Keep light levels high and at least 14 hours and temperatures reasonable (not to warm).
If you can't get much weight on them and want to hibernate, I'd think no more than 6 weeks and 4 or 5 might be better.

Danny

[Rowan]

Thanks Danny.

Was afraid they would not be heavy enough...... Poo!!!!

I really would like to hibernate them but like you say with wind down they'll loose weight...

I'll keep feeding and see how their weights go.

Any ideas as how to make them eat more???? And what to feed them to bulk them out abit?

Feel like I've failed

Row xx

[egyptiandan64]

What do they like to eat? Have you tried any pellets?

Danny

[Rowan]

Hi.

Since last year, when I 1st realised they were under weight I've been feeding pellets twice a week. They get about 1.5% of their body weight.

The rest of the time they get a good varierty of weeds, flowers and on occaisons bagged salad,,

Tetley will eat anything when he wants to but will on occaisons not eat at all, especially the day after having pellets.

Twiglet is super fussy, since starting feeding pellets. At the moment he will only eat hibiscus flowers. Last week he'd only eat mallow flowers and won't eat them this week. The week before only evening primrose flowers and won't eat them now. I offer Twiglet loads of other weeds at every feeding time but he picks out what he wants. At times I could cry and call him all sorts of names aaaarrrrrrrrgggghhhh!!!!

Any help would be great..........

Thanks,

Row xx

[fifi and the flowertorts]

How old are your horsefields Row?

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by fifi and the flowertorts

How old are your horsefields Row?

Tetley is approx 8 years and Twiglet is approx 6 years old.

Row xx

[kkenny]

I am in the same boat with my Hermanns THB, all 3 of mine on the very lowest end of the recommended at only about .16 on the Jackson scale.

I am going to take the advise given to you on this so thanks for raising it. Maybe only hibernate for a shorter while - 8weeks or something.

Have you tried Pre Alpine? Mine love that and have put a little weight on after having this once a week, I intend to up this once the weeds run dry.

Good luck and I would love to hear what you decide to do in December.

[fifi and the flowertorts]

I've got the same problem. All 4 of mine are underweight and i would like to heibernate them november time for a max of 3 weeks.

i feed mine a mix of weeds when i can find/grow them, safe salad/vegtables, and komodo pellets once a week.

Not sure if i weigh them weekly or monthly.

Hope all goes well for you Row.

[Rowan]

Thanks guys. I'm not alone lol!!!!!!!!!

Still haven't decided what I'll do will just wait and see how much weight they gain.

I'll keep you all posted.

Row xx