22-12-2011, 01:54 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
|
Dietary Requirements
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 |
22-12-2011, 02:35 PM | #2 |
Member
Juvenile
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grampian, Scotland
Posts: 815
|
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. |
22-12-2011, 03:31 PM | #3 |
Member
Hatched
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Leamington Spa & Gwynedd
Posts: 326
|
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.
__________________
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 |
22-12-2011, 07:06 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
|
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...
|
22-12-2011, 10:25 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: central s england
Posts: 1,534
|
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.
|
23-12-2011, 12:02 AM | #6 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: pontefract, west yorkshire
Posts: 506
|
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
__________________
|
23-12-2011, 01:49 AM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
Quote:
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 |
|
23-12-2011, 12:56 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: central s england
Posts: 1,534
|
well I never Rach! Have to watch the mallow though as it starts having all those little rusty spots this time of year.
|
23-12-2011, 01:11 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
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 |
Tags |
diet, food |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|