More Redfoots!

Ajay · 08-06-2008, 07:49 PM

Well my two little sweeties are doing well at last. I think it simply took them a long time to settle in. They're putting on weight at a sensible rate now, the shell rot has all gone and left absolute minimal marks, they're enjoying their weeds, fruit and protein, baths, days outside in the sun.. The life any tortoise would be glad to have!

However, their shells are soft. Not abysmally so but if you were to hold them between thumb and forefinger you could compress them alarmingly.. They haven't gotten any softer, as far as I can judge, but haven't hardened up at all even with their correct diet, supplements and UV available (but with lots of hiding places to save their eyes).

Nothing can get to them in their cages so they're safe from actual harm because of this but it's not natural so to me means they are deficient in something.. But it seems whatever I alter will affect something else so any suggestions?

70ridgeway · 08-06-2008, 07:54 PM

what age are your reds

**egyptiandan64** · 08-06-2008, 09:59 PM

How often are you supplementing Ajay?

Danny

Ajay · 09-06-2008, 11:58 AM

Hatched in December (they are the first reds Sarah hatched)

always on weeds, not on fruit or protein but they get that a lot less often (and only not supplementing on those because it immediately turns into lumpy paste! Which not only looks gross and smells worse but it blocks their nares

)

**egyptiandan64** · 09-06-2008, 12:05 PM

Ajay

I hope you don't do this on your finals

Don't think you answered my question

so I'll ask a new one

How often do you feed weeds? now that I know you supplement on weeds only

Danny

**sarah** · 09-06-2008, 07:35 PM

Have you tried offering cuttlefish or a bowl of limestone flour, that way if they feel the need for calcium they can get it!!!

DAISY · 09-06-2008, 11:53 PM

I'm probably wrong, but is it possible that while their shells are repairing, the majority of their supplements are being used up in this job rather than going into their overall growth.

Laraine · 10-06-2008, 01:00 AM

Zolcal is a liquid calcium supplement with active D3, I'm using it with some of mine that are not 100%, I was recommended to use it by Hannah, have a word with your vet to see if it would be suitable for you to use.

Ajay · 11-06-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah

Have you tried offering cuttlefish or a bowl of limestone flour, that way if they feel the need for calcium they can get it!!!

Do we need "!!!"? They have both on offer all the time - I picked the limestone flour up from you when I got them to make sure they had it. They also have a block of limestone flour, as well as powder, incase they have a preference.

Don't say that Danny!

lol They get protein once a week and fruit twice (in a meal with weeds - but no Nutrobal on the fruit, and they eat both)

**egyptiandan64** · 11-06-2008, 02:04 PM

Now I know your a student

Had to read that twice to figure out you feed weeds twice a week

I'd up the weed feedings to 3 times a week.

Danny

08-06-2008, 07:49 PM	#1
Ajay Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: May 2007 Location: Durham Posts: 1,000	More Redfoots! Well my two little sweeties are doing well at last. I think it simply took them a long time to settle in. They're putting on weight at a sensible rate now, the shell rot has all gone and left absolute minimal marks, they're enjoying their weeds, fruit and protein, baths, days outside in the sun.. The life any tortoise would be glad to have! However, their shells are soft. Not abysmally so but if you were to hold them between thumb and forefinger you could compress them alarmingly.. They haven't gotten any softer, as far as I can judge, but haven't hardened up at all even with their correct diet, supplements and UV available (but with lots of hiding places to save their eyes). Nothing can get to them in their cages so they're safe from actual harm because of this but it's not natural so to me means they are deficient in something.. But it seems whatever I alter will affect something else so any suggestions? __________________ Ajay xxx 0.0.2 Testudo hermanni boettgeri 0.0.2 Geochelone carbonaria 0.0.1 Testudo horsfieldii 1.0.0 Eublepharis macularius 1.0.0 Canis familiaris I am no longer a student; AT LAST!!

08-06-2008, 09:59 PM	#3
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	How often are you supplementing Ajay? Danny __________________

09-06-2008, 11:58 AM	#4
Ajay Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: May 2007 Location: Durham Posts: 1,000	Hatched in December (they are the first reds Sarah hatched) always on weeds, not on fruit or protein but they get that a lot less often (and only not supplementing on those because it immediately turns into lumpy paste! Which not only looks gross and smells worse but it blocks their nares ) __________________ Ajay xxx 0.0.2 Testudo hermanni boettgeri 0.0.2 Geochelone carbonaria 0.0.1 Testudo horsfieldii 1.0.0 Eublepharis macularius 1.0.0 Canis familiaris I am no longer a student; AT LAST!!

09-06-2008, 12:05 PM	#5
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Ajay I hope you don't do this on your finals Don't think you answered my question so I'll ask a new one How often do you feed weeds? now that I know you supplement on weeds only Danny __________________

09-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#6
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Have you tried offering cuttlefish or a bowl of limestone flour, that way if they feel the need for calcium they can get it!!! __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

08-06-2008, 07:54 PM	#2
70ridgeway Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: walsall Posts: 2,345	what age are your reds

09-06-2008, 11:53 PM	#7
DAISY Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LIVERPOOL Posts: 2,763	I'm probably wrong, but is it possible that while their shells are repairing, the majority of their supplements are being used up in this job rather than going into their overall growth. __________________ Rach Mum to 12 horsfields, 2 redfoots, 2 spur-thighed, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, 3 chipmunks, 3 african pygmy hedgehogs, 4 bearded dragons, 1 goldfish. 2 daughters and 1 husband.

10-06-2008, 01:00 AM	#8
Laraine Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 3,622	Zolcal is a liquid calcium supplement with active D3, I'm using it with some of mine that are not 100%, I was recommended to use it by Hannah, have a word with your vet to see if it would be suitable for you to use. __________________ Laraine ________________________

11-06-2008, 02:04 PM	#10
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Now I know your a student Had to read that twice to figure out you feed weeds twice a week I'd up the weed feedings to 3 times a week. Danny __________________

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