Feeding and Nutrition :: Turtle Jello Shots

[steve]

If it's the occasional treat, then you might want to use a separate feeding container.

[MEandYouPhoto]

If it's the occasional treat, then you might want to use a separate feeding container.

I was actually considering making this a staple diet for him.

[The Troops]

Just made them today and my 3 LOVE em!! I think next time I will read better.. I only added 1/2 cup of veggies so I had to cut a bare spot off..

[cutepanda86]

Cut a bare spot off of the jello shot? I'm sure they would have eaten it.

[shi000]

I'm a new RES owner and have been doing a lot of reading on different forums for advice on proper nutrition. I made my first batch of jello last night, separated about a weeks worth, and froze the rest. These have been the only form of vegetables one of my turtles will touch! I would love to make these shots a staple part of my turtles' diets, but I recall reading about how frozen vegetables are no good due to thiaminase. In fact, this site's nutrition page specifically states "Although frozen varieties are convenient, they are only acceptable in limited usage. Thiaminase enzymes can develop in frozen greens, which would break down thiamin and result in a Vitamin B1 deficiency."

I tried doing more research on this and found this page: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09330.html which suggests blanching vegetables before freezing to inactivate the thiaminase. Does anyone have more knowledge on this? Those of you who do use frozen jello shots as your turtle's main vegetable source, can you chime in on your turtle's health? I guess a workaround would just be to make smaller batches and serve fresh, not frozen, but I would love to know if there's really a huge difference. If only my turtle would eat his lettuce!

[The Troops]

Cut a bare spot off of the jello shot? I'm sure they would have eaten it.

Im sure they would of! But I dont want them filling up on gelatin before their regular food!

[steve]

I'm a new RES owner and have been doing a lot of reading on different forums for advice on proper nutrition. I made my first batch of jello last night, separated about a weeks worth, and froze the rest. These have been the only form of vegetables one of my turtles will touch! I would love to make these shots a staple part of my turtles' diets, but I recall reading about how frozen vegetables are no good due to thiaminase. In fact, this site's nutrition page specifically states "Although frozen varieties are convenient, they are only acceptable in limited usage. Thiaminase enzymes can develop in frozen greens, which would break down thiamin and result in a Vitamin B1 deficiency."

I tried doing more research on this and found this page: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09330.html which suggests blanching vegetables before freezing to inactivate the thiaminase. Does anyone have more knowledge on this? Those of you who do use frozen jello shots as your turtle's main vegetable source, can you chime in on your turtle's health? I guess a workaround would just be to make smaller batches and serve fresh, not frozen, but I would love to know if there's really a huge difference. If only my turtle would eat his lettuce!

Interesting read. Most likely it's not an issue in a well rounded diet. Have you tried using a veggie clip in your tank?

[cutepanda86]

Cut a bare spot off of the jello shot? I'm sure they would have eaten it.

Im sure they would of! But I dont want them filling up on gelatin before their regular food!

This is true.

[shi000]

Interesting read. Most likely it's not an issue in a well rounded diet. Have you tried using a veggie clip in your tank?

Not yet. I just rescued my two turtles from a relative who didn't care for them properly. I haven't set up their permanent tank yet since they are both recovering from moderate shell rot meaning dry docking for about 20 hours a day. In this case, I didn't think a veggie clip would make much a difference?

[steve]

Most people I have recommended it to have said it worked. The Jello shot might be more useful when creating a supplement rich treat.

[AmberEve]

Our turtles LOVE the jello shots! Morla will eat the right out of my hand and then carry it off. My problem is now I have gone through 2 blenders. Ours, and my friends. =( Make sure you have a really really good food processor.
I made a youtube video of them enjoying them! The link is.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijgxjSdUjEY =)

[devilduck]

I just tried this last night and Fred loves these jello shots! A lot easier and less messy than tossing in veggies into the tank.

AmberEve I think your running your blenders too dry. Blender need liquid to work, you might want to chop everything up a little smaller and add some water. A food processor will be better for solids but it will not reduce everything into a fine puree.

[VeipaCray]

I use the Ninja blender when making these... works like a champ.

[steve]

Did you get that Ninja on Woot!? I think I finally broke my addiction to their site.

[VeipaCray]

No I got the Ninja locally at a Bed Bath and Beyond store with one of those 20% off coupons you can print when you register on their website. Yes woot is quite addictive. I've purchased many bags of crap and other random things from them.