how much?

[captotterboy]

Hey everyone,
My new redfoots are 4 and 5 inchs.  How much (approx in grams) should i be feeding them daily?  or is it more an "as much as they can eat in __ minutes" thing?   When i fed them the squash earlier (their first meal in their new home) they ate for about 6 or 7 minutes than moved on. 
Also, when i offer greens and fruit should i offer a variety?  Should i mix some mustard greens in with the dandelion greens and similar things for fruit and veggie days?
Also..... These animals are really cool

Thanks
jeff

[Joe H]

I use the 20 minute rule.

The more variety in the diet the better
http://redfoottortoise.com

[captotterboy]

Here is my diet plan:
day 1-2: Mustard greens and fresh picked dandelion greens
day 3: Strawberries w/ TNT
day 4-5: same as day 1-2
day 6: peaches w/ TNT
day 7: Bloodworms or nightcrawlers
(cuttlebone in cage at all times)

Plus i give them a treat every now and than like a flower, banana, veggie, or something

[Joe H]

Turnip greens are much better nutritionally than mustard greens

I only feed animal protein every other week

[tort71]

I have attempted 3 times to feed my red foot some protein, I've tried nightcrawlers, mealworms, and crickets and it didn't want nothing to do with it.  Should I keep trying or just not worry about it?

[Joe H]

in a case like yours I would use turtle brittle, boiled chicken, shrimp etc

If a redfoot doesn't get animal protein they develop hind leg paralysis

[captotterboy]

Ok, than day 7 on off days will be veggies or flowers. 
I tried today to feed mine some bloodworms.  One took a bite and just spit it out.  One took a bite and reacted violently like he just ate hot coals.  sooooo, next protein day im going to try a thawed pinkie mouse.

[tort71]

in a case like yours I would use turtle brittle, boiled chicken, shrimp etc

If a redfoot doesn't get animal protein they develop hind leg paralysis

How sure are you of this?  I thought they ate animal protein because they naturally stay and prefer the shade.  So they get the D3 from the bugs.  I supplement with 2 - 4' Reptisun 10.0 48W bulbs and dust with calcium of course.

A quick and probably dumb question, could yogurt supply the protein they need for the D3?  I was thinking maybe nonfat, live culture yogurt, mixed with a little pumpkin once a week.  That way I could be providing beneficial bacteria, protein, and a good dose of Vitamin A.

[Joe H]

in a case like yours I would use turtle brittle, boiled chicken, shrimp etc

If a redfoot doesn't get animal protein they develop hind leg paralysis

How sure are you of this?  I thought they ate animal protein because they naturally stay and prefer the shade.  So they get the D3 from the bugs.  I supplement with 2 - 4' Reptisun 10.0 48W bulbs and dust with calcium of course.

I'm very sure of it.


[qoute]
A quick and probably dumb question, could yogurt supply the protein they need for the D3?  I was thinking maybe nonfat, live culture yogurt, mixed with a little pumpkin once a week.  That way I could be providing beneficial bacteria, protein, and a good dose of Vitamin A.
[/quote]


No dairy isn't suitable for reptiles.

with proper lighting  and a diet high in greens, there will be no need for extra d3 or vitamin A

[tort71]

So what causes the paralysis then?  Is it low levels of D3 in the diet or is it the low protein in their diet?  Thanks.

[captotterboy]

I dont think the 20 minute rule applied to my pair.  They usually eat their fill in about 10-15 than run around the cage for a while, and than go back into the hide.

Speaking of which, the only time they come out of the hide seems to be for soaking and eating time.  Is this weird?

[Joe H]

its the quantity and quality of protein.  It also seems that they need the extra B vitamins...in particular thiamin, thats present in animal matter

[tort71]

Thanks Joe for the clarification.

[tort71]

Joe,

I just wanted to bring to your attention that boiled chicken/shrimp probably don't contain thiamine.  Thiamine is a very heat sensitive vitamin and boiling any kind of meat will probably destroy it.  I'm still looking for an alternative until they actually eat the real thing.  I will not use cat or dog food because of quality and risk.

[Joe H]

As a nutritionist I can assure you both have thaimin

But check out the USDA database
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/index.html