Pumpkin and squashes as winter food?

[Alan1]

yes I've tried them with it before but I'm not convinced it's really beneficial so I don't give it

[Ozric Jonathan]

I'm not convinced by the natural worming idea either. But as an occasional food source during the season I think it can have a place.

[Alan1]

I read on here once that it should be given maybe once a month so in my case, with just 2 torts it isn't really worthwile me buying a huge pumpkin or squash just to give a bit the size of an inch then hoy the rest in the bin. Okay if you have a few torts maybe or if you were using the things for cooking anyway

[16 shells]

I have also mentioned Alfafa sprouts come out lower than most other veg in Phosphorus and potassium. But not much mentioned on diet tort sheets. Unless i'm reading it wrong.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.co...ion-chart.html

[swad1000]

I give mine butter squash about once a month, I've only had to have them wormed once in 5 years, whether that's to do with the squash I really don't know but it doesn't seem to do any harm either.

I freeze the butternut squash Alan in individual portions and just thaw out what I need at a time.

[Torterra]

Originally Posted by 16 shells

I have also mentioned Alfafa sprouts come out lower than most other veg in Phosphorus and potassium. But not much mentioned on diet tort sheets. Unless i'm reading it wrong.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.co...ion-chart.html

Is it ok to give alfalfa sprouts to tortoises as winter supplement?
And yes i agree with Alan it is waste to buy the whole pumpkin. My family have different taste to tortoises' they do not like it :S.

[16 shells]

Originally Posted by Torterra

Is it ok to give alfalfa sprouts to tortoises as winter supplement?
And yes i agree with Alan it is waste to buy the whole pumpkin. My family have different taste to tortoises' they do not like it :S.

If Butternut Sqash is fed, can't see why not Alfalfa sprouts with a small amount of pure calcium/limestone flour added, this will bring the calcium level higher than the phosphorus, which should make a safe good feed. That's what i will do occasionly.

[Alan1]

I think it was assumed that because butternut was related to pumkin that it had worming properties too but the worming properties in pumpkins are only on the outer part of the shells of the pumpkin seeds and I don't think butternut even has any seeds. I think kirkie or maybe someone else was going to crush up the seeds to use sprinkled. torts are bound to eat plants in the wild that help control worms, it may even be plants we already give them. Chicory and Nasturtium are the only other two I know of but who's to say there isn't small amounts in sow thistle, dandelion or any other common plants they eat

[Ozric Jonathan]

Butternut squash does have seeds. I was scraping seeds and pulp out of some this evening and fed the torts some grated squash . And made a nice pot of soup with the rest.

I think Alan is correct about it being the seed coat that contains a compound that has worming properties. I don't feed the seeds, on the basis that in general feeding seeds is not recommended. I know my torts do sometimes eat seeds though - such as the mallow seeds they eat when the flower has died off.

[Alan1]

radicchio is another one for worming, but it is just a different coloured chicory

According to traditional folklore, long-term use of chicory as a coffee substitute may damage human retinal tissue, with dimming of vision over time and other long term effects.[6] Modern scientific literature contains little or no evidence to support or refute this claim. Root chicory contains volatile oils similar to those found in plants in the related genus Tanacetum which includes Tansy, and is likewise effective at eliminating intestinal worms. All parts of the plant contain these volatile oils, with the majority of the toxic components concentrated in the plants root. [1]

Chicory is well known for its toxicity to internal parasites. Studies indicate that ingestion of chicory by farm animals results in reduction of worm burdens, which has prompted its widespread use as a forage supplement. There are only a few major companies active in research, development, and production of chicory varieties and selections. Most of them are in New Zealand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicchio