When and how are you hibernating your torts?

Bride2b · 18-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Hi

Just wondered when everyone was going to start to hibernate their torts and how are you going to hibernate them are you going to use the box method, fridge method or let them dig down in a protected area?

aramintalovegrove · 18-10-2007, 11:56 AM

I'm going with fridge, I will only be doing an initial 8 weeks as my tort is a rehomer that has never been hibernated before...once we get to that time I will see how he is doing and poss leave for longer.

I need to start the fasting period as Tegumai is well and truley ready to go to sleep.
I must admit I have been putting this off as his appitite is so enormous, especially as I have fought so hard to stop him being a fussy eater, get him off pellets and onto the good stuff!

Out of all the things I was worried about hibernation... not offering food seems to be my weakness (dont worry guys he wont go down until his tummy is well and truley empty)

hobgoblin · 18-10-2007, 12:00 PM

started grissom off already, he has been soooo sluggish last few weeks sometimes not even bothering to get up during the day. we are gonna hibernate him for 6 wks (vets advise) he's currently boxed up in the cupboard under the stairs.

Bride2b · 18-10-2007, 02:38 PM

Hi

I havent hibernated my 6 yet, I have 4 rehomers, 3 of which have never been hibernated before so I am planning on hibernating them around December time but this will depend on the Jackson ratio firstly.
The youngest 2 will aslo go for hibernation around December time but they will only be for a few weeks as they are juveniles.
My oldest tort will also go around December time, I am planning on using an insulated shed, and then placing them in boxes with chicken wire around.
They will have a heater and thermostat so the temp doesnt drop to low or get to high in there.
Also I will be carefully weighing them weekly so that their weight can be monitored.
Well thats my plan.

shelley · 18-10-2007, 04:37 PM

I hibernate mine in the fridge, and they wont be starting wind down until the middle of next month... Or possiby the end of Nov. At the moment mine are still active, but then I have brought them into my livingroom!

ME SHELL · 19-10-2007, 01:07 PM

The past couple of days mine has become very sluggish. From today on I have stopped feeding Torty and getting him ready for hibernation, scares me to death tho.

tortoiseboy · 19-10-2007, 01:09 PM

When?
nest year
How?
In a box in the garage

Bride2b · 20-10-2007, 08:48 AM

Hi

Than ks for your views, I will be weighing mine today and will make a decision in a week or so if they will be hibernated depending on where they are against the Jackson Ratio.

sandy · 20-10-2007, 09:51 AM

If your tortoises have been winding down, and not eating, please take this into condcideration
when weighing them and using the jackson ratio. As obviously they will have lost weight. As
long as they were/are healthy then you should hibernate them.
I let my adults and some of the smaller tortoises bury down in the soil in my greenhouses, for
hibernation. This has worked sucssesfully for the last five or six years. I do box up any that
dont go down.

Bride2b · 20-10-2007, 02:10 PM

Thanks Sandy,

I will let them start winding down from the end of October onwards, they are all inside now and merrily munching away so I cant see them having a weight issue.

Tanya

18-10-2007, 09:50 AM	#1
Bride2b Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301	When and how are you hibernating your torts? Hi Just wondered when everyone was going to start to hibernate their torts and how are you going to hibernate them are you going to use the box method, fridge method or let them dig down in a protected area? __________________

18-10-2007, 02:38 PM	#4
Bride2b Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301	Hi I havent hibernated my 6 yet, I have 4 rehomers, 3 of which have never been hibernated before so I am planning on hibernating them around December time but this will depend on the Jackson ratio firstly. The youngest 2 will aslo go for hibernation around December time but they will only be for a few weeks as they are juveniles. My oldest tort will also go around December time, I am planning on using an insulated shed, and then placing them in boxes with chicken wire around. They will have a heater and thermostat so the temp doesnt drop to low or get to high in there. Also I will be carefully weighing them weekly so that their weight can be monitored. Well thats my plan. __________________

18-10-2007, 04:37 PM	#5
shelley Member Hatchling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 577	I hibernate mine in the fridge, and they wont be starting wind down until the middle of next month... Or possiby the end of Nov. At the moment mine are still active, but then I have brought them into my livingroom! __________________ Shelley Mum to three Newfoundlands, two Cocker Spaniels, one German Shepherd, 9 Chinchillas, and 4 Hermann's and 2 Leopards... Tortoises that is! http://pic2.piczo.com/GalaxybearsNewfoundlands

20-10-2007, 08:48 AM	#8
Bride2b Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301	Hi Than ks for your views, I will be weighing mine today and will make a decision in a week or so if they will be hibernated depending on where they are against the Jackson Ratio. __________________

20-10-2007, 09:51 AM	#9
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	If your tortoises have been winding down, and not eating, please take this into condcideration when weighing them and using the jackson ratio. As obviously they will have lost weight. As long as they were/are healthy then you should hibernate them. I let my adults and some of the smaller tortoises bury down in the soil in my greenhouses, for hibernation. This has worked sucssesfully for the last five or six years. I do box up any that dont go down. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

18-10-2007, 11:56 AM	#2
aramintalovegrove Member Juvenile Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 980	I'm going with fridge, I will only be doing an initial 8 weeks as my tort is a rehomer that has never been hibernated before...once we get to that time I will see how he is doing and poss leave for longer. I need to start the fasting period as Tegumai is well and truley ready to go to sleep. I must admit I have been putting this off as his appitite is so enormous, especially as I have fought so hard to stop him being a fussy eater, get him off pellets and onto the good stuff! Out of all the things I was worried about hibernation... not offering food seems to be my weakness (dont worry guys he wont go down until his tummy is well and truley empty)

18-10-2007, 12:00 PM	#3
hobgoblin Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nantwich,cheshire Posts: 69	started grissom off already, he has been soooo sluggish last few weeks sometimes not even bothering to get up during the day. we are gonna hibernate him for 6 wks (vets advise) he's currently boxed up in the cupboard under the stairs.

19-10-2007, 01:07 PM	#6
ME SHELL Senior Member Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8,484	The past couple of days mine has become very sluggish. From today on I have stopped feeding Torty and getting him ready for hibernation, scares me to death tho.

19-10-2007, 01:09 PM	#7
tortoiseboy Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: My house Posts: 1,340	When? nest year How? In a box in the garage

20-10-2007, 02:10 PM	#10
Bride2b Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301	Thanks Sandy, I will let them start winding down from the end of October onwards, they are all inside now and merrily munching away so I cant see them having a weight issue. Tanya __________________

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