Hermans diet

[rach.sxo]

I've had my hermans for a few weeks now and I want to make sure I'm feeding him correctly.
What can I give him? At the moment he's having curly kale and spinach. But I want to add some variety without getting it wrong...
Help!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Have you checked out the Hermanni care sheet that's pinned at the top of the Hermanni section?

 

[rach.sxo]

Yeah I read it earlier and it has gave me some insight but it doesn't specify on which particular veg

 

[katfinlou]

Hi, hope this is some help to you

 

[el_ote]

carrots too, cool

 

[katfinlou]

Please note the comments added under the list.

Hope this has been of some help to you

 

[rach.sxo]

Oh wow that's a great help Thank you so much!!!
With the plants can I put them in there live for them to pick at or do I break a bit off and put it in with food bowl at feeding times?

 

[katfinlou]

I think you can do both. They tend to trash them up a bit of you plant directly into the soil, ive heard people say they use plant pots, then bury them into the soil to help them last longer, you must be sure there's no fertiliser on them though. You can also buy tortoise mix seeds from Amazon, they're quite cheap and get a lot for your money. Im growing carrot tops and dandelions on my window sil at the moment

 

[rach.sxo]

Oh okay then thank you I will be buying Norman some decorations when I've been paid
Thank you for your help

 

[Siviter]

I've found that Tesco does a big Mediterranean leaf mix; mixed with some water cress my torts love it. Just soak the for 20-30mins before hand to get some/most of the chemicals off it. Costs about £3 and last 4-5 days if kept in the fridge.

 

[rach.sxo]

I've found that Tesco does a big Mediterranean leaf mix; mixed with some water cress my torts love it. Just soak the for 20-30mins before hand to get some/most of the chemicals off it. Costs about £3 and last 4-5 days if kept in the fridge.

I normally go to sainsburys for mine and they're quite good but may try tesco so he's got more variety. Thank you

 

[Siviter]

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=280517387
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=268376518

Its nothing that you couldn't get at Sainsbury's to be honest, but if you ever get stuck .

 

[rach.sxo]

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=280517387
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=268376518

Its nothing that you couldn't get at Sainsbury's to be honest, but if you ever get stuck .

Okay thank you! At least I know what I'm looking for

 

[WithLisa]

As long as the ground is not covered in snow, you should collect the food outside. Dandelion, buckhorn, clover and other weeds are much healthier for your tortoise than anything you could buy.

By the way, spinach has a high content of oxalic acid that binds to calcium, so I would cut that out of his diet.

 

[tortdad]

Spinch should not be fed and kale only every now and then or the reasons Lisa listed above.

The free weeds is the best for him

Check outs Chris's website

www.hermannihaven.com

 

[rach.sxo]

Oh god I didn't know that! It's what the pet shop told me to feed him. I swear they are so rubbish!!! They've sold me all the wrong stuff and told me improper diet!

 

[WithLisa]

That's why sooo many tortoises die a slow and painful death caused by wrong husbandry.
But now that you came to this forum, I'm sure you'll change your torts living situation for the better.

 

[rach.sxo]

Definitely I'm so glad I got this!
Going to buy new food for him later and change substrate. Hope I get my happy Lil tortoise back!

 

[katfinlou]

My pet shop guy told me to feed carrot cabbage spinach and tomatoes, sold me wood pellet substrate and a coil bulb. We would have been in a right mess if it wasn't for this forum! You can't go wrong with the advice from experienced tortoise keepers here

 

[katfinlou]

I had loads of dandelions and wild geranium in my garden, but they're all spoiled with the frosty weather so im having to rely on supermarket stuff til my carrot tops and tortoise seeds grow