Feeding and Nutrition :: am i overfeeding?

[Big Labowski]

i feed him 5 reptomin pellets at 4 p.m. and 5 more reptomin pellets at 9 p.m.
is that to much? because he is defenetly eating it but i dont want to overfeed.
he is also taking lettuce but not eating it, and he is pretty much taking from my hand, cept im using tweezers

[Az^FolkSinger]

You should feed him what will fit in his head minus the neck once a day for hatchlings, then after a year feed that amount every other day. read the "sticky" notes in this area for feeding also on the main website.. remember they are professional beggars so be aware ...also why are you feeding him so late?
I break mine up into 2 feedings of the amount will fit in his head minus the neck<he is just a baby> and feed in the morning when I turn lights on and around 5pm so he still has basking time to help him digest his food. plus he has carrot slivers and one leaf of different types of lettuce recommend here that I keep in the tank for him that he really likes.
Hope this helps

[Big Labowski]

i am feeding so late, because i wake up at 830, go to school at 9 till 330, get home at 4, feed him, then i thought i shoul;d feed again and started feeidng at 9. so i dont really understand the food in the head part

[Az^FolkSinger]

you should feed him before you go to school so he has time to digest his food properly with the basking and uvb lights.. that is very important to their health for digesting.....ok basic....what would fit in their head without anything in it. like for mine (but i use a different type of food, I use zoo med's aquatic Turtle food)....i feed him 2 pellets in the am and 2 maybe 3 depending on size of pellet at 5pm. That is the total amount of pellets that would fit in his head per day. How big is your res?

[sonyj]

Imagine that your turtles head was hollow. (Yes, this takes imagination) Only feed him the amount that would fit inside his head if it were hollow once-a-day if he is a hatchling and then every other day if he's older. When estimating the amount of pellets, be fair but not overly generous. Veggies should be given everyday, even if he will not take to them at first. Plant matter is important for a healthy balanced diet, so continue to offer a variety of them.

It's important to feed him earlier in the day, while he has time to bask, this helps aid digestion, and time to swim and exercise. His lights should be on a day/night schedule to imitate the natural sun (on no more than twelve hours). So feeding him this late is not very healthy. I usually give the pellets first thing when the timer switches his lights on and then give the veggies later in the day.

[Big Labowski]

well, since i usually get up at 830, tommorrow i will get up at 730 hav a shower then feed moe, thanks guys!

[buffyfan9005]

I feed Veronica her breakfast before I head out to school. Before you get into the shower just turn her light on. By time you come back into the room she'll be awake and ready for breakfast.

[jeggy]

on my way out the door for work i turn on the lamp, grab about a 3-finger pinch of pellets and toss it in the tank. and thats all for the day.

[Kayte257]

I let my Stanley (baby RES) feed in a seperate tank.

He seems to be really lazy and wont eat the food unless it floats right up to him, so I put a lot in the tank. I give him a pinch or so each, of a couple different foods.

I usually give him about 45 minutes to eat.


Am I over feeding?

[sonyj]

I let my Stanley (baby RES) feed in a seperate tank.

He seems to be really lazy and wont eat the food unless it floats right up to him, so I put a lot in the tank. I give him a pinch or so each, of a couple different foods.

I usually give him about 45 minutes to eat.


Am I over feeding?

Kayte257, what are the different types of food that you are feeding? Some foods should only be treats while others are to be the staple of his diet, such a reputable pellet like Reptomin. Knowing what you are giving him will help to know if you are overfeeding.

In general, pellets should be fed once a day the amount that would fit inside his head if it were hollow. This amount should be fed daily for hatchlings (approx. under a year old) and every other day for older turtles. Veggies and plant matter should be offered daily. Other foods high in protein should be considered treats and offered once a month such as freeze dried shrimp, krill, etc.

Overfeeding can lead to serious health issues and too fast of growth. Getting him onto a balanced healthy diet early will help him in the long run.