horsfields and hibernation

mandyxx · 10-12-2010, 11:20 PM

hi my tortoises have been in the fridge 4 weeks on tuesday this is my first time hibernating them i was just wondering how long i should hibernate them. they weights are
start weight current weight scl
248g 250g 10.5cm
279g 282g 11.5

there weights were average to low on the ratio but i know it is more of a guide line and i felt they ok to hibernate. have i done the right thing ? is losing weight the only sign that hibernation is going wrong ?

all and any advice welcome thanks for reading

**egyptiandan64** · 11-12-2010, 01:20 AM

Hi Mandy,
Personally I wouldn't have hibernated either one as they are both below average (10.5cm-300g and 11.5cm-400g). The 10.5cm animal is at least between low and average (low is 225g and average is 300g). Your 11.5cm animal is below low (low is 300g and average is 400g).
I would get your 11.5cm Horsfields up as soon as possible. That weight is just to low for size. I wouldn't hibernate the 10.5cm Horsfields for more than another 2 weeks (if that).

Danny

mandyxx · 11-12-2010, 03:30 PM

thank you for your reply. to be on the safe side i have woke them up. they have had a bath and they are now basking. i will try and build them up slowly till next winter then try again. any tips on putting weight on them without over feeding ?

**16 shells** · 11-12-2010, 06:09 PM

What do you normaly feed and about how much Mandy, have they ever been checked for worm's.

mandyxx · 11-12-2010, 06:30 PM

i grow most of their food weeds ect they have some shop bought for a 'treat' like watercress. i have wormed them but never had them tested. im guessing that getting them tested is the next step when they are eatting again. they didnt weigh much when i got them cant find their first weight record sheet but monty was about 100g hes now 250g and george was about 140g and hes now 282g is that to slow a weight gain over 15 months ? ( sorry not 18 like i said above)

mandyxx · 11-12-2010, 06:36 PM

sorry i feed them a pile each that is about as big as their shell plus they are plants in their table what they can eat .i feed them every day too

**16 shells** · 11-12-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyxx

sorry i feed them a pile each that is about as big as their shell plus they are plants in their table what they can eat .i feed them every day too

Feeding an amount as large as there shell is a good starting advice for young yearling's, this can let you observe and learn there appetites. In good warmer weather some can eat twice this much and be more active.
Another option, small meal of Tortoise pellet's twice a week along with plant's can help build up an under weight tort. It has been said.

mandyxx · 11-12-2010, 07:09 PM

i feel well guilty now

i was worried about over feeding and i have be under feeding.

10-12-2010, 11:20 PM	#1
mandyxx Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: lancaster england Posts: 69	horsfields and hibernation hi my tortoises have been in the fridge 4 weeks on tuesday this is my first time hibernating them i was just wondering how long i should hibernate them. they weights are start weight current weight scl 248g 250g 10.5cm 279g 282g 11.5 there weights were average to low on the ratio but i know it is more of a guide line and i felt they ok to hibernate. have i done the right thing ? is losing weight the only sign that hibernation is going wrong ? all and any advice welcome thanks for reading

11-12-2010, 01:20 AM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Hi Mandy, Personally I wouldn't have hibernated either one as they are both below average (10.5cm-300g and 11.5cm-400g). The 10.5cm animal is at least between low and average (low is 225g and average is 300g). Your 11.5cm animal is below low (low is 300g and average is 400g). I would get your 11.5cm Horsfields up as soon as possible. That weight is just to low for size. I wouldn't hibernate the 10.5cm Horsfields for more than another 2 weeks (if that). Danny __________________ Last edited by egyptiandan64; 12-12-2010 at 03:48 AM.

11-12-2010, 06:09 PM	#4
16 shells Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hull Posts: 7,286	What do you normaly feed and about how much Mandy, have they ever been checked for worm's. __________________ Paul.

11-12-2010, 03:30 PM	#3
mandyxx Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: lancaster england Posts: 69	thank you for your reply. to be on the safe side i have woke them up. they have had a bath and they are now basking. i will try and build them up slowly till next winter then try again. any tips on putting weight on them without over feeding ?

11-12-2010, 06:30 PM	#5
mandyxx Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: lancaster england Posts: 69	i grow most of their food weeds ect they have some shop bought for a 'treat' like watercress. i have wormed them but never had them tested. im guessing that getting them tested is the next step when they are eatting again. they didnt weigh much when i got them cant find their first weight record sheet but monty was about 100g hes now 250g and george was about 140g and hes now 282g is that to slow a weight gain over 15 months ? ( sorry not 18 like i said above)

11-12-2010, 06:36 PM	#6
mandyxx Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: lancaster england Posts: 69	sorry i feed them a pile each that is about as big as their shell plus they are plants in their table what they can eat .i feed them every day too

11-12-2010, 07:09 PM	#8
mandyxx Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: lancaster england Posts: 69	i feel well guilty now i was worried about over feeding and i have be under feeding.

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