Eating pattern help

Ben02

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Hi,

I’ve been experimenting with how many times I feed the younger tortoises. For the past month I’ve been feeding twice a day however I’ve encountered some problems. I feed a portion in the morning and in the afternoon however, the torts eat more in the afternoon and go straight to bed afterwards, this makes them not as hungry in the morning where they get their calcium supplements. Is this because they are full from the meal yesterday afternoon?

I’m considering switching back to once a day in the morning but I thought it best to check with the forum.

Any thoughts or advice would be most appreciated

Thanks

Ben
 

jsheffield

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I'm not an expert, but I feed once a day and also have greens accessible in my redfoot's enclosure at all times.

Also, if you're feeding a variety of good foods you probably don't have to fortify with calcium everyday.

Jamie
 

Ben02

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I'm not an expert, but I feed once a day and also have greens accessible in my redfoot's enclosure at all times.

Also, if you're feeding a variety of good foods you probably don't have to fortify with calcium everyday.

Jamie
Thank you Jamie, I provide calcium twice a week in the mornings. I’m going to wean them of that second meal gradually.
 

dmmj

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Perhaps morning meal they are still warming up!
 

RosemaryDW

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I’m not sure what the problem is here? It sounds like they are still eating and thus still growing.

Tortoises in the wild don’t eat once a day. If one large meal is what works best for your schedule that’s okay, but like Jamie I believe tortoises should have access to at least some foods much or all of the time.

My tortoise also eats the most when she’s good and hot, which tends to be later in the day. That’s when I try her on new foods.
 

Ben02

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I’m not sure what the problem is here? It sounds like they are still eating and thus still growing.

Tortoises in the wild don’t eat once a day. If one large meal is what works best for your schedule that’s okay, but like Jamie I believe tortoises should have access to at least some foods much or all of the time.

My tortoise also eats the most when she’s good and hot, which tends to be later in the day. That’s when I try her on new foods.
They will have a little nibble and then go away and do tort stuff in the morning. Would feeding in the afternoon only work for them?
 

RosemaryDW

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They will have a little nibble and then go away and do tort stuff in the morning. Would feeding in the afternoon only work for them?

I’m just not sure why you want to feed them only once a day? What are you trying to accomplish? I have never raised babies so perhaps I am missing something. My outdoor tortoise can graze all day if she wants to—she usually wants to. :)
 

Ben02

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I’m just not sure why you want to feed them only once a day? What are you trying to accomplish? I have never raised babies so perhaps I am missing something. My outdoor tortoise can graze all day if she wants to—she usually wants to. :)
I guess my main concern is that they eat the most just before going to sleep in the late afternoon where as my adult female will eat pretty much all day. Sorry if I’m not being clear haha, I’m a bit vague sometimes :)
 

Bren_Lowe

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Hi,

I’ve been experimenting with how many times I feed the younger tortoises. For the past month I’ve been feeding twice a day however I’ve encountered some problems. I feed a portion in the morning and in the afternoon however, the torts eat more in the afternoon and go straight to bed afterwards, this makes them not as hungry in the morning where they get their calcium supplements. Is this because they are full from the meal yesterday afternoon?

I’m considering switching back to once a day in the morning but I thought it best to check with the forum.

Any thoughts or advice would be most appreciated

Thanks

Ben
What I do is feed once in the morning. In the wild, they eat in the early mornings and late nights, so one of those is best. I give one type of food, either pellets or greens, and that works well. Constantly doing the same pattern is best too, as far which days of the week are what food, so they become accustomed to it.
 
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