Feeding and Nutrition :: Feeding Schedule?

[emma]

I was thinking of making a feeding schedule for my turtles so that they get the right amount of food and vitamins and all that kind of stuff. So, my turts are about 1"-1.5 inches. Should i start feeding them pellets every other day? Or should i keep doing the everyday pellet feeding? Right now I give them each 4 pellets everyday plus some red leaf lettuce. I always make sure to have cuttlebone in there too. So does that sound OK for now? And I also give them 2 worms each month, and they have fish if they can catch them in the tank, or some plants when I can get them(anarchis). So, do you think I should make a feeding schedule? Or what would be best?

[marisa]

If your turtles are that size, why would you want to start giving them pellets every other day? On the days you give something besides pellet (worms, for example), then you wouldn't need to. I don't have a super strict schedule for my turtles, I just try to make sure they're getting variety in their diet.

You've got pellets (what kind), fish, worms (what kind), red leaf lettuce and anacharis (sometimes). You could add variety by rotating a few brands of pellets, also adding some other veggies for them to try.

[emma]

I use reptoMin baby pellets. Amd for the fish i have tiny goldfish and they have never ever caught one before. And I have tried grapes, grren lettuce, carrots, banana, apple, and just about anything. But they wont eat anything but the red leaf lettuce.

[SpotsMama]

With turtles that small you should continue offering pellets every day (except, as pointed out above, you can skip the pellets on the days they get another good protein source like worms).

How many pellets are appropriate depends on the size of the turtles and the size of the pellets. Some pellets are a lot bigger than others so you'd feed fewer of them. You know the hollow head rule? If you're not sure how to determine the correct quantity, speak up and we'll clarify it for you.

[emma]

Well, I have been feeding them 4 pellets everday at about 8 at night and some red leaf lettuce. Do you think thats enough? Or should I start giving them more>?

[octpusgirl8]

You should probably try feeding them in the morning so that they have time to bask and digest throughout the day. It's hard to say how much they should be getting pellet wise without being able to look at them and the pellets.

[marisa]

For Reptomin Baby, I don't think 4 pellets each once a day is too much. When they start to look a little bigger (but are not growing really fast), then you can add a little more. Do try to vary the diet more, though. If you can, get some anachris (aquatic plant) to put in the tank for them to munch on.

[megcornell]

Things high in protein such as krill and shrimp should be treats, not a regular part of the diet.
The goal is to have a healthy turtle, not one that is obese or skinny, at the size your turtles are now Emma, I'd still feed pellets everyday and give a lot of fresh veggies.
You can figure out a good variety to feed from these lists: http://www.redearslider.com/plants.html