I did not know that they got d3 from the egg yolk. The plot thickens.
I dont "know" that either, its just something I read. It could be right or wrong, but it does makes sense to me.
I did not know that they got d3 from the egg yolk. The plot thickens.
Lastly. I can't believe I've just had to use baking of bread to try and explain what I am thinking.
@Tom. Can you do me a favour please?
Could you check what temperature your radiant pad gives out at substrate level when you get a minute. I know you have it on a stat, But could do with knowing how hot it can project heat at what ever the height of you enclosure is. How heigh is your enclosure? Cheers.
Oh yeah. I too would like to see an update
10/14/2015 UPDATE:
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All is progressing well. Their growth is slow, steady and smooth, but they are growing at about half the rate of their siblings being raised with Dean. This growth rate is remarkably similar to my babies that were raised outside all day every day in a well panted, well shaded enclosure. These are growing smoothly while those ones were pyramiding just a little bit, but the rate is very close.
I'm at a loss to explain this. I don't see what difference a heat lamp would really make here, but it apparently does. I suppose they do better with the ability to thermoregulate more. It is warm enough for them to live and be healthy, but it seems that the option to get hotter or cooler is a good option to offer. I still don't like our over head, electric, IR-A producing heat lamps, but I have not yet found a better alternative. While these babies are healthy, active and showing good appetite, so are their siblings at twice the size. Fast growth is not the goal, but if two groups of direct siblings from the same clutch are demonstrating similar health and good growth, doesn't the faster growing bunch indicate that they are thriving and doing better than the slower growers?
Perhaps next year I will look for an alternate heat source to offer a thermal gradient, but without the over head IR-A. I suppose I should also raise a batch in this enclosure with an incandescent lamp just to check that too...
@Tom. Do you plan on keeping any of these juveniles?
Off topic a bit here.
Does anyone out there force their tortoises to go through bad times, I.e not an abundance of the best foods year round?
Thanks Tom. When you did this in the 90's was this before the humidity issue came on the scene?Yes. We discuss that here all the time. Many people leave the heat and lights off indoors for a day or two to simulate a cold rainy spell in the wild. Many people skip feeding days, or in some cases they don't feed their tortoises at all and just let them eat whatever they can scrounge outside in their pens. Yvonne frequently says that is what she does with Dudley. I did this with a bunch that I raised in the 90's. What I ended up with was stunted, pyramided, undersized adults 14 years later.
Thanks Tom. When you did this in the 90's was this before the humidity issue came on the scene?
Ahhhh, the 90's. Those were the days.
----In my mind, it would make sense for a baby that is spending most of it's time hidden to maintain a slower, steady growth pattern--the faster it grows, the more food it would need to consume, and the faster it would outgrow it's safe hiding spot and need to emerge unprotected into the world----
What do you feed for the protein intake?It should be pointed out that I'm ONLY using a 120W RHP and a zoomed UV fluorescent tube...but they've mostly been outdoors and spend most of that time in overgrown grass (in the shade). Although nearly twice the size of Tom's, they are completely smooth...ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! BUT... for this I credit Tom's flawless incubation technique! Tthat and the fact that I allow a little more protein intake than most hobbyists are comfortable with! But, and I've said this before, as long as they're properly hydrated...protein is NOT a negative!
Mazuri has some...as does alfalfa hay...and whatever the dogs leave that I don't get to in time! Plus, I've witnessed these guys eat earthworms, sow bugs...and various other beetles. And two of them go nuts for MONSTRO!'s um...logs!What do you feed for the protein intake?