Weight increase

[owenmorris]

Hi to all,

Just wondering why my hermanns tortoise is not gaining weight.
I have two Hermanns which I care for a lot, the thing is my 5 yr old is under weight averaging about 165g when really he should be about 250g according to jackson ratio.The thing is he eats a lot and I pick fresh dandi's everyday as well as that the outdoor enclosure is well growing now with herbiseed.I have had both of them to vets recently coz I saw a worm in indoor enclosure and they have to go back in another week for second and final worming for this year.
What can I do to increase his weight as the other hermanns is getting heavier at good rate.



sherman the 5yr old is on his log lol

[egyptiandan64]

I think once you have the worm problem under control, he'll start to gain weight. You'll have to get three fecals done in a row that don't show worm ova to be sure he doesn't have any more worms, if your vet didn't already explain this .

Dan

[sandy]

You really dont want your tortoise putting on too much weight anyway. The slower the better.
If they are eating then the worm load cant be that high. As generally they stop eating if the
worm load is high.
You will find all tortoises gain weight differently, I have one five year old that is only 150grms.
She is eating and drinking and doing what torts should do. So I dont worry.
Your torts sound like they forage for food, exactly what they should be doing, excercising while
eating. Please dont try to feed them up, slow growth is the way to go.

[owenmorris]

excellent thanks for help but you see so much info that it wories me as I want best for my torts hence I always go straight to vets.

[sandy]

Thats fine if you have a suitable tortoise vet. Always best to get them checked if you are
worried.
Just a reminder, the Jackson Ratio is only a guide, its not set in stone<g>. And only applies
to med torts. Ibera, graecas and hermans.

as sandy said but not all meds....... horsfields and marginateds cant use this

[mich]

Hi,

There is also genetics to consider! Not all of us are the same size and weight at the same age. There is a lot to be said about slow growth but that is not always possible. I currently have 3 Hermann’s all bought from the same batch and fed the same but 1 is enormous at 188g, compared to the others at 128g and 101g. All are smooth and currently eating what they find in there outdoor pen such as clover, grass and a little dandelion, this is topped up with picked dandelion, lettuce and calcium 4 times a week.

Regards

Mich

[sandy]

Can we have some pictures please Mich?
What age are they?
Sounds like one needs to be left to graze weeds, without the top up of extra food<g>.