09-04-2011, 03:15 PM | #11 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lancaster, UK
Posts: 647
|
I'm pretty sure they can eat rose petals in moderation, no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong x
|
09-04-2011, 06:12 PM | #12 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 555
|
Thanks for your help ... My neighbour has a rose bush I'm sure they won't mind if I snip some leaves off for my tortoises.
__________________
Testudo Hermanni Hermanni Victor & George Amelia Last edited by mrscross78; 09-04-2011 at 07:59 PM. |
09-04-2011, 08:14 PM | #13 |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hull
Posts: 7,286
|
You should find it is just the flower petal's fed. My opinion if you can still grow some weed's add some of the edible plant's listed and even bulk the feed out with little amount's of your shop bought food's, altering foods to balance out the diet and continue with the twice a week pellet's. All together through the week is not a bad diet. Try and identify a few more weed's/plant's as you go and you are sorted, a day without food is not also a bad thing if feeding a complete diet like Komodo.
__________________
Paul. |
09-04-2011, 08:32 PM | #14 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 555
|
Oh yeah, silly me.
__________________
Testudo Hermanni Hermanni Victor & George Amelia |
09-04-2011, 08:42 PM | #15 | |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sunny Scotland
Posts: 21,512
|
Quote:
you have to watch that there is no fertiliser or insecticide on other people's plants |
|
09-04-2011, 11:19 PM | #16 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bolton
Posts: 153
|
Have you looked at the pre-alpin testudo tortoise food... There is lots of info about it on the Urban Tortoise website. You can add it to your weeds daily to help bulk out the variety and its all natural.
I've been adding a small amount each day to my babies weeds and she seems to love it, I'm hoping in winter this will be a great help. I am also still learning with the weeds...at the min I'm successfully finding and identifying dandelion, hawkbit, bittercress, jack by the hedge, speedwell, plaintain and shepherds purse (hope I got the names right) which I walk past when walking my dog and grab a handful...I rinse everything thoroughly as you never who if something has been peed on unfort and then put in a sealable bag in the fridge.... I'm hoping as the weather gets better I will identify more but I always have florette crispy salad for my bearded dragon so use that to with the weeds. I've tried growing my own weeds and it started well but they seem to be dying off x
__________________
0.1.0 THB Shelby 0.0.1 THH Mabel 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko Mylo 1.0.0 Royal Python Napolean 1.1.0 Poochies Bailey Shar pei/lab & Tia Whippet |
09-04-2011, 11:40 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
Don't forget that if you buy the plants and flowers from any shop or garden centre, then you will need to weather them first before feeding. You won't be able to let them tuck straight in. To weather, take off the old leaves and flowers, brush off the fertilised soil from the roots then replant either in normal unfertilised soil in your garden or in sterilised soil pots outside. You then will need to wait 2/3 weeks before feeding them to your torts.
As regards the weeds IDing - as Al says we all started like that. What I normally suggest is taking pics of any weed like plants in your garden or when your going for a walk. Then upload the pics onto this site. We can then try and help identify and say if they are edible or not. You will be surprised how you will end up remembering the pic and what it was, and where you saw the weed first. Then... you will find that you see it on other places and from this the confidence grows to then see what else you have growing. It's a very good time now BTW to start identifying weeds, with this warm weather, there are many good edible ones growing. It's not easy at first but in time as your confidence grows you will be snapping everything in sight and learning as you go. Hope this helps and good luck xx |
10-04-2011, 01:01 AM | #18 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,277
|
It stems back to a single source of information that has been engrained into every new tortoise keepers head... natural is always best. The problem is the folks spouting this information never really seem to fully explain what is natural. Many (myself included) get around the full explaination by saying to feed as much variety as possible... this still does not work unless you have a well planted yard that you can allow your tortoise to graze so it can decide what it needs.
Well... 'natural' is not always best which is why you have joined the ranks of so many new keepers. The greens you can provide might be close to what the tortoise might find in the wild but it is not a the natural diet a tortoise normally would find in the wild. As you have also found out you would need to become a botanist and a nutritinist... or trust... the word of those who might think they are. Another option is to trust one of the many formulated diets such as Komodo tortoise diet and the like. It's taken me 15 years to fully trust such products and that was only through actual usage. Now those that preace the 'natural' diet are panicing because they are seeing how beneficial these diets really are so they are trying... once again... to use scare tactics without ever actually using the products. What you need to do is talk to keepers who do not have an agenda. These products are there to benefit your pet and make your life less worrysome. Quote:
__________________
Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care |
|
10-04-2011, 07:22 PM | #19 | |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 555
|
Quote:
I wonder if there really is a correct way to feed a tortoise in captivity and if there is does anyone really know the correct way? I will just try my very best for my babies but will I get it right? I hope I can.
__________________
Testudo Hermanni Hermanni Victor & George Amelia Last edited by mrscross78; 10-04-2011 at 07:43 PM. |
|
10-04-2011, 07:50 PM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,277
|
Totally... but as you can see... I'm a minority... in this group.
Feeding a tortoise in captivity... 'correct' is a highly subjective opinion. I believe a 'correct' diet is providing all the required nutrients a tortoise needs for good development is the correct diet. I've learned that current formulated diets are the best solution for most situations. Quote:
__________________
Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care |
|
Tags |
feeding, greens, weeds |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|