How to feed pre-alpin?

derrick0312 · 26-07-2011, 02:26 PM

I have been trying to feed my tort with pre-alpin herb...but she doesn't eat it on its own? I have to mix it with fresh weed so she can take some in while eating the fresh stuff. Is this how people feed their tort pre-alpin? I thought they like to eat it on its own?

I also notice that she doesn't eat the moisturized version, i.e. when the food is dark and wet? but sometimes they will eat the dried up leftovers? so shall I have the food moisturized or not?

Also, ever since I feed them pre-alpin, their digestion seems to slow down? like from once a day to once every 2-3 days?

NATURALIS · 26-07-2011, 03:03 PM

yep thats the idea to slow it down , the way i feed it is to soak it in water until it's soft and falls apart , i then mix it in with the washed wet weeds , it kind of sticks to the plant's so they have to eat it , mine have had it that long they will eat it on it's own but better mixed . stick with it it's a great way to add fibre to there diets.

**Alan1** · 26-07-2011, 03:07 PM

how does that work then, with humans fibre speeds it up, eat a plate of all bran in the morning and you will be in the bog by 10am

burnt toast · 26-07-2011, 03:09 PM

I have the cobs & a couple will eat it after its had water added to it, on its own. The others (torts) are fickle & wont eat on its own so I usually hide it in their leaves. + I brought a tin of "baby" but my little ones wont touch it, march off with their noses in the air! So I sprinkle this on any wet leaves, just to use it up & add fibre.

**Alan1** · 26-07-2011, 03:11 PM

I will get some of the cob type for winter

NATURALIS · 26-07-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caledonia

how does that work then, with humans fibre speeds it up, eat a plate of all bran in the morning and you will be in the bog by 10am

in tortoise's it take's between 2-4 weeks to digest and pass out the waste

jonesy · 26-07-2011, 04:41 PM

The best way to offer the pre alpin is to mix it with their usual diet. I find that this works for the tortoises. I have also had feedback that tortoises are eating it when kept dried but sprinkled onto other foods.

This is supposed to be part of a varied diet anyway and not the total diet.
thanks

**Alan1** · 26-07-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesy

This is supposed to be part of a varied diet anyway and not the total diet.
thanks

in winter what would you give along with it?

derrick0312 · 26-07-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caledonia

in winter what would you give along with it?

That's kind of my concern...for now it's no problem finding weeds, but not so in the winter. I thought I can feed the tort pre-alpin stuff over winter as a solution, but not really possible given her lack of interest....

TortBabe · 26-07-2011, 06:42 PM

I use pre-alpin I think its a great product and I just love the smell of it

In winter I plan to mix it with whatever weeds/plants I have or with the florette. Almost all of mine eat it with relish

26-07-2011, 02:26 PM	#1
derrick0312 Member Incubating Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 180	How to feed pre-alpin? I have been trying to feed my tort with pre-alpin herb...but she doesn't eat it on its own? I have to mix it with fresh weed so she can take some in while eating the fresh stuff. Is this how people feed their tort pre-alpin? I thought they like to eat it on its own? I also notice that she doesn't eat the moisturized version, i.e. when the food is dark and wet? but sometimes they will eat the dried up leftovers? so shall I have the food moisturized or not? Also, ever since I feed them pre-alpin, their digestion seems to slow down? like from once a day to once every 2-3 days? __________________ Human = Derek Tort = Sushi Hermann 0.0.1 (Hatched Aug 2010)

26-07-2011, 03:03 PM	#2
NATURALIS Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cheshire Posts: 3,472	yep thats the idea to slow it down , the way i feed it is to soak it in water until it's soft and falls apart , i then mix it in with the washed wet weeds , it kind of sticks to the plant's so they have to eat it , mine have had it that long they will eat it on it's own but better mixed . stick with it it's a great way to add fibre to there diets. __________________ Home bred tortoise's available all year round, Hermanns , spur-thighed ( ibera ) pm for details

26-07-2011, 04:41 PM	#7
jonesy Member Hatched Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Leamington Spa & Gwynedd Posts: 326	The best way to offer the pre alpin is to mix it with their usual diet. I find that this works for the tortoises. I have also had feedback that tortoises are eating it when kept dried but sprinkled onto other foods. This is supposed to be part of a varied diet anyway and not the total diet. thanks __________________ Jonesy .................................................. .................................................. ................... Tortoise & Hedgehog Rehab, Supplier of Pre Alpin, readi grass, seeds, calcium & pouches for hedgehogs, rats, degus etc http://www.tortoiselady.co.uk http://www.hedgehoglady.co.uk http://www.gullrockfairbourne.co.uk Holiday home

26-07-2011, 06:42 PM	#10
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	I use pre-alpin I think its a great product and I just love the smell of it In winter I plan to mix it with whatever weeds/plants I have or with the florette. Almost all of mine eat it with relish __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

26-07-2011, 03:07 PM	#3
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	how does that work then, with humans fibre speeds it up, eat a plate of all bran in the morning and you will be in the bog by 10am

26-07-2011, 03:09 PM	#4
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,245	I have the cobs & a couple will eat it after its had water added to it, on its own. The others (torts) are fickle & wont eat on its own so I usually hide it in their leaves. + I brought a tin of "baby" but my little ones wont touch it, march off with their noses in the air! So I sprinkle this on any wet leaves, just to use it up & add fibre.

26-07-2011, 03:11 PM	#5
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	I will get some of the cob type for winter

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