Redfoot experts please help!

[EJ]

ZooMed is one of the better companies I kinda trust... They do put out some pretty good diets and they do seem to do some research.

Animal protein for any tortoise is not a necessity. It will not hurt any tortoise if they occasionally come across it or are offered it as an occasional treat but I'm against the idea that it is 'required' for Redfoots. This crap stems from very limited information resourses and just gets propagated by the hobby.

Your last line... never heard that one... another good one.

The Redfoot is a tortoise like any other... just a different body shape dictated by genetics.

Originally Posted by Naturalee

Arrr! Interesting! I use zoo med forest tortoise food quite regularly as it somehow seems more natural! However, I mainly feed weeds and occasionally fruit. I only supplement with nutrobal mixed 1:4 with limestone flour but leave cuttlebone in the viv and a limestone block for them to help themselves.

Its great to hear how other people do things differently. Thanks guys!

What are your views on providing reds with animal protein?
I've heard they need it (in small amounts) when young as they have mobility issues later in life if they don't have it.

[Naturalee]

Cheers Ed! I thought as much! I occasionally toss mine a few mealworms when I'm feeding some of the lizards in the reptile room but thats about it really. I'm definitely more into the zoo med foods than the extruded pellet type foods. What prepared food do you use, if you don't mind me asking? And do you use them exclusively?

[EJ]

I use Mazuri(US) which is supposed to be the same as NutraZu(EU). The UK Mazuri is also supposed to be similar but I do know the zoos in the UK have been using the Mazuri(UK) for many years with great results.

I don't supplement greens but would like to. I'll throw in grass clippings when I have them.

Originally Posted by Naturalee

Cheers Ed! I thought as much! I occasionally toss mine a few mealworms when I'm feeding some of the lizards in the reptile room but thats about it really. I'm definitely more into the zoo med foods than the extruded pellet type foods. What prepared food do you use, if you don't mind me asking? And do you use them exclusively?

[Naturalee]

Oh! The legendary mazuri! That seems to be like rocking horse poop over here Ed! You just cant get hold of it! The grass clippings surprises me!
Do you reckon that zoo med foods could be used exclusively?

[EJ]

Nah... I wouldn't trust it only because I do not use it or know of anyone who does. I do respect the company.

Some of the formulated diets are the ones I trust because they are based on providing nutrition and not marketing as such.

Originally Posted by Naturalee

Oh! The legendary mazuri! That seems to be like rocking horse poop over here Ed! You just cant get hold of it! The grass clippings surprises me!
Do you reckon that zoo med foods could be used exclusively?

[Naturalee]

Cheers Ed! You're a hive of info!