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Old 22-12-2011, 01:54 PM   #1
mikeysmith10
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Hey,
Im fairly new to this forum thing but i wanted to make sure i was doing stuff right for my tortoises sake
There is loads of conflicting advice on the internet, however luckily some recommended sites and a handout given by our tortoise vet has come in helpful
I have two tortoises, both are around 2 and are still very small.
When i first had them i fed them to much, and the wrong stuff. Luckily no harm was done and they have cut down and are perfectly healthy
I bath them once a day and they're always walking around

Anyway, back to my question,
My garden hasnt got many edible weeds apart from dandelions, so i fear I am not feeding enough variety to my tortoises,
Its current diet is rotated between Dandelions, Romaine lettuce and florette mixed (for the winter months)
We tried buying herbiseed stuff with a mixture of weeds and that hasnt grown very well, so we've had to rely on supermarket stuff.
I was wondering what else i could feed my tortoises to give them some variety, but suggestions on how to grow them
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Old 22-12-2011, 02:35 PM   #2
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You may have to go a bit further afield to look for more variety. My garden only has a few weeds so I go for walks and collect weeds- just be careful and make sure you don't pick from areas that might have been sprayed with something nasty. You can also buy seeds from the shelled warriors shop, they have a good selection.

If your not too sure which plants to feed this site is a good place to check -Tortoise Table
Also if you see any weeds when your out looking and can't look them up because your unsure what they are called take a picture and post it in the Edible Weeds, Diet & Suppliments section and we will try to ID it for you.
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Old 22-12-2011, 03:31 PM   #3
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I tend to pick what weeds I can find and then add pre alpin to it to make it all go further. This is a great food to use in the winter. Any questions then just ask.
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Old 22-12-2011, 07:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonesy View Post
I tend to pick what weeds I can find and then add pre alpin to it to make it all go further. This is a great food to use in the winter. Any questions then just ask.
I also use pre alpin as it really takes the worrying about providing variety away. There's a good mix of tort safe plants in the dried food (13-14 maybe more) and it's great for providing fibre. They do a baby variety for small torts under 200g (I think) that is cut finer. I use it all year but it is especially handy through the winter...
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Old 22-12-2011, 10:25 PM   #5
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Because its been mild and wet (in the South anyway) I'm still finding a fair bit of plantain, hawkweeds, bittercress even stickybud and mallow. It's a muddy business going to pick it though.
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Old 23-12-2011, 12:02 AM   #6
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i've recently found dried plantain and dandelion in my pet shop, meant for rabbits but theres nothing added and i add it to the supermarket stuff when i have to use it x
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Old 23-12-2011, 01:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
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Because its been mild and wet (in the South anyway) I'm still finding a fair bit of plantain, hawkweeds, bittercress even stickybud and mallow. It's a muddy business going to pick it though.
Funny you say that, Shells as I found last week a massive patch of jack by the hedge...friggin unheard of in December. Still can get a bit of mallow, ribwort plantain, bristly ox Tongue and also the odd bit clover even!!
And I agree it's such a mild December down the south, usually would only find dandys round about now.
This patch of jack I found... I couldn't believe though.. Huge leaves, all really in good nick. Mint..!! xx
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Old 23-12-2011, 12:56 PM   #8
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well I never Rach! Have to watch the mallow though as it starts having all those little rusty spots this time of year.
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Old 23-12-2011, 01:11 PM   #9
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I notice that every year, Brenda. I call them pimples... Brought this up last year I think.
I tend to just rip out those bits...mind you that doesn't leave alot left! xx
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