Food for red-foots??

Thrush · 11-30-04, 04:55 PM

Hey all!

I'm trying to optimize my red-foots feeding schedule so that they'll be healthier and they'll have no pyramiding.

Beth Wallbank,
I noticed that your red-foots look fabulous and have very smooth shells, what's your secret?

How much Food of what type?
How Often?

I have one 10" and one 5" juv.
I also am impressed with your Red-foot, Linds!! Does he still look like that?

Thanks in advance!!

beth wallbank · 11-30-04, 10:02 PM

for a captive bred redfoot, your tortoises shell looks nothing out of the unordinary. I find that over feeding, to much protien, lack of natural sunlight as much as possible, all play a factor in poor bone/shell growth. I use an all veggie diet, supplimenting once a week with mazuri, fresh fruits once a week and because I do live in BC, we have long summer seasons, sunlight is great if the rain doesnt come. I also use the best of UBV bulbs, replacing them religiously at 6 months for maximum useage.

Linds · 11-30-04, 11:24 PM

Thanks! He still pretty much looks the same. I'm a strong believer in natural sunlight for diurnal animals, and house them outside as much as possible (weather permitting). Unfortunately the summer wasn't that great here this year

I do believe that it makes the world of difference in their quality though.

Thrush · 12-01-04, 12:22 PM

but, can anyone tell me How Much you feed?

I'm having trouble getting the quantity right.

Do you just feed them as much as they'll eat in a certain amount of time?
or do you give them a set amount?
or is it random?

My guys have a strong UVB bulb and the Pumpkin was out on our deck for hours every day last summer (when it was warm enough..)

Also what kind of caging do you keep yours in, in the winter?

Linds · 12-03-04, 02:45 PM

Right now my guy is still small, and he's kept in a 4x2x18" wooden cage. Once he's bigger, he will likely be moved in to more of a pen type enclosure.

As for feeding, it is very random. I go with what I have, and he always gets varying amounts each time. Sometimes he will get fed for a few days straight, then take a day or two off, then one on, or however it happens to work out.