Hay and Redfoots

[Lunartwist]

So maybe once a week or so, I've been adding chopped Bermuda grass hay to Viola's diet. I figured the nice fiber source would be good for her.

But on a rather slow day at work, I decided to roam the internet and read a dozen or so different caresheets on Redfoots, and I noticed a specific one. It said that it wasn't a good idea to offer any grasses or hays to Redfoots, and they can't digest it as well a say, a Leopard tortoise, and you should focus on broadleaf plants instead (like dandelion).

So what's your guys' opinions? Can hay really cause digestive issues?

 

[theelectraco]

I don't think feeding it once a week like mentioned will cause any digestive issues in the long run. I have never heard of Redford having issues with digesting hay, but I am guessing that is because most Redfoots are not fans of eating hay to begin with.

 

[lkwagner]

I put hay mixed with cactus and a tiny amount of squash baby food in a food processor, the only way I can get my sulcatas to eat hay so far. Maybe try doing something like that so its chopped up tiny and softer so its easier to digest??

 

[Madkins007]

Red-footeds don't like hays and grasses, but are perfectly OK with chunks of dry hay sprinkled on their food- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/nutrition/nutrients, down near the bottom.

When you offer a fiber supplement to humans or tortoises, research shows that the longer the fibers, the better. Really fine powders, liquids, and so on are not as effective as chunky stuff.