redfoots and meat should i start?

[katepalmer]

i have had 2 redfoots for my b day prez arrive a couple of hrs ago they are 5 yrs old and cb they are quite bummpy shelled ! the owner feed them on that pellet food and fruit and no meat at all !!!

should i start meat once a week with them and if so how much !

also fruit what would be the best x x and how much ?

thank you love kate

will put pics up later

[egyptiandan64]

Earthworms are a good whole food for Redfoots (they love them ). Depends on the size of the Redfoot as to how many worms, but I feed protein once a week.
Any fruit thats good for you (except for citrus fruit, shouldn't feed that) is fine for a Redfoot. Melons are usually liked. You will probably though have to try a few things to find out what your will like.

Danny

[katepalmer]

ok thank you will go digging worms ( have not done that since i was a kid lol )

[Naturalee]

I don't feed any meaty stuff to mine any more. I just don't think its any more necessary for reds as for any other tortoise. I used to give them soaked low fat cat biscuits once a fortnight but have since stopped this. They enjoyed gut loaded mealworms occasionally but I haven't given them any for ages. The best fruits are most tropical fruits. As Dan says though, avoid citrus. I also avoid apple as this is thought to inhibit gut fauna. The best fruit is probably papaya for the best calcium : phosphorus ratio. Apparantly figs are a good protein source and also good for intestinal movement due to the high proportions of tiny seeds. I also offer mango, medula, pineapple, melon (particularly cantaloupe). As for the pyramiding, never underestimate the necessity for a high fibre diet. This is often overlooked with reds since they're thought to be rainforest dwellers in the wild when in fact most of the wild populations exist at the forest edge and in savannah habitat.

[EJ]

With a good pelleted diet... there is no need for red meat. I would suggest feeding both fruit and red meat in the form of pinkies or mouse sausages only as a treat if at all.

Originally Posted by katepalmer

i have had 2 redfoots for my b day prez arrive a couple of hrs ago they are 5 yrs old and cb they are quite bummpy shelled ! the owner feed them on that pellet food and fruit and no meat at all !!!

should i start meat once a week with them and if so how much !

also fruit what would be the best x x and how much ?

thank you love kate

will put pics up later