Mrs_Gal1981
New Member
Hello, so it's been 5 days since we brought our cherry head red foot home and I need help creating a loose diet menu for him. He is about 5" long, we think (not sure when he hatched) that he is 2ish years old. We have him in an outdoor enclosure in warm and humid -atm- South Texas.
I printed a list of the YES and NOs and what foods he CAN eat but just in moderation. This week we wanted to introduce a variety of fruits, greens and vegetables and see what he likes and what he doesn't. It's not a set in stone diet but for that I need some help, as we are creatures of habit here and it'll be easier for us if we get into a routine.
So far, he's still not eating much, as we think he's still adjusting, but what he has tried and liked is:
-Cantaloupe
-Blueberries
-Strawberries
-Mushrooms
-Raspberries
-Zucchini
What he's tried and hasn't really loved yet:
-Collard greens
-Rose bush leaves
-Carrots.
This doesn't mean we won't try again, we have no idea what they were feeding him at the store.
I have read all the contradicting recommendations for redfoots, some of it conflicting, so I want to come up with a balanced diet and need help. I read some of the threads on Mazuri food and got some yesterday, I'm thinking of giving it to him twice a week, but want to lay out my tentative plan here and get some input if possible:
-4 days a week: 50% Veggies - 50% fruit
-2 days a week: Mazuri mixed with other greens
-1 day a week: Fruits, veggies and protein (got some freeze dried mealworms but the protein can vary as well - getting snails and beetles is not hard around here)
Does this sound reasonable? Another question / concern I have is, buying readily organic produce is not a problem, but I do not have any flowers at home (no hibiscus, no petunias, no dandelion flowers at the moment although we do get those in the spring) aside from 2 rose bushes that aren't blooming right now. How can I provide this part of their diet without flowers? Does the mazuri cover these needs? I do plan on getting some more plants, I bought an Opuntia Cactus, but my nursery didn't have any of the other stuff when I went, and even then, I am not sure I can keep up with demand if I just have a plant or two - we rent so planting a whole garden in the yard isn't feasible yet). He has a snake plant in the enclosure that seems he's munched on, and I bought a Coleus that I'm quarantining for pesticides.
Another question, last one I promise: I got Calcium powder with Vitamin D3. Do I just use a teeny sprinkle on it's food every day? or just 2-3 days a week? Should I use it only on the fresh food or also on the mazuri?
I hope someone can help me. I promise I have done a ton of research but the contradicting information and also, the recommendations for flowers have me a little nervous I won't be able to meet his dietary needs. I want nothing but the best for this guy and I get overwhelmed thinking about it. My family and are are very committed to give him a good, healthy and happy life so I think once we get the diet part down we will do great. Thank you so much for reading!
(Picture for cuteness purposes)
I printed a list of the YES and NOs and what foods he CAN eat but just in moderation. This week we wanted to introduce a variety of fruits, greens and vegetables and see what he likes and what he doesn't. It's not a set in stone diet but for that I need some help, as we are creatures of habit here and it'll be easier for us if we get into a routine.
So far, he's still not eating much, as we think he's still adjusting, but what he has tried and liked is:
-Cantaloupe
-Blueberries
-Strawberries
-Mushrooms
-Raspberries
-Zucchini
What he's tried and hasn't really loved yet:
-Collard greens
-Rose bush leaves
-Carrots.
This doesn't mean we won't try again, we have no idea what they were feeding him at the store.
I have read all the contradicting recommendations for redfoots, some of it conflicting, so I want to come up with a balanced diet and need help. I read some of the threads on Mazuri food and got some yesterday, I'm thinking of giving it to him twice a week, but want to lay out my tentative plan here and get some input if possible:
-4 days a week: 50% Veggies - 50% fruit
-2 days a week: Mazuri mixed with other greens
-1 day a week: Fruits, veggies and protein (got some freeze dried mealworms but the protein can vary as well - getting snails and beetles is not hard around here)
Does this sound reasonable? Another question / concern I have is, buying readily organic produce is not a problem, but I do not have any flowers at home (no hibiscus, no petunias, no dandelion flowers at the moment although we do get those in the spring) aside from 2 rose bushes that aren't blooming right now. How can I provide this part of their diet without flowers? Does the mazuri cover these needs? I do plan on getting some more plants, I bought an Opuntia Cactus, but my nursery didn't have any of the other stuff when I went, and even then, I am not sure I can keep up with demand if I just have a plant or two - we rent so planting a whole garden in the yard isn't feasible yet). He has a snake plant in the enclosure that seems he's munched on, and I bought a Coleus that I'm quarantining for pesticides.
Another question, last one I promise: I got Calcium powder with Vitamin D3. Do I just use a teeny sprinkle on it's food every day? or just 2-3 days a week? Should I use it only on the fresh food or also on the mazuri?
I hope someone can help me. I promise I have done a ton of research but the contradicting information and also, the recommendations for flowers have me a little nervous I won't be able to meet his dietary needs. I want nothing but the best for this guy and I get overwhelmed thinking about it. My family and are are very committed to give him a good, healthy and happy life so I think once we get the diet part down we will do great. Thank you so much for reading!
(Picture for cuteness purposes)