New tortoise owner (Calcium question)

[isabellaandvesta]

Hi my name is Isabella and I am located in Florida. I have a gopher tortoise i just recently was given by my brother. She has had a poor diet and is deformed someone on the forum recommended I sprinkle calcium powder on her food about three times per week. Does anyone have a good recommantion for a calcium powder for me to order?
I have attached a photo of the one I found online!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Yes, that one is fine. The one I use.

 

[isabellaandvesta]

Hello and Welcome. Yes, that one is fine. The one I use.

Okay, I will order it! I also saw a calcium block, have you ever used that?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Okay, I will order it! I also saw a calcium block, have you ever used that?

 

[isabellaandvesta]

View attachment 207173

Thanks for your advice! I didn't know eggshells were a good source of calcium for tortoises.

 

[wellington]

I have seen that RF owners use egg for their torts. Never dawned on me to feed the shells for calcium.

 

[wellington]

View attachment 207173

How much and often do you feed the shells? Does it run the same as store bought calcium, a small pinch once or twice a week?
Also, have you ever ran into the problem of the torts not wanting to eat if the shell powder is on their food like what is a problem a lot with the store bought stuff?
Oh an if you would please. How exactly do you prepare the shell, other then grinding it? Wash, dry, etc?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

How much and often do you feed the shells? Does it run the same as store bought calcium, a small pinch once or twice a week?
Also, have you ever ran into the problem of the torts not wanting to eat if the shell powder is on their food like what is a problem a lot with the store bought stuff?
Oh an if you would please. How exactly do you prepare the shell, other then grinding it? Wash, dry, etc?

When my wife fixes breakfast she turns the egg shells up side down on a paper plate they will set like that for 3-4 days then I run them through the grinder . And put the powder in a plastic bottle til I need it .
Now I feed about 20 pounds of food everyday to my torts . So I sprinkle a little on the food everyday and mix it up real well .

 

[wellington]

When my wife fixes breakfast she turns the egg shells up side down on a paper plate they will set like that for 3-4 days then I run them through the grinder . And put the powder in a plastic bottle til I need it .
Now I feed about 20 pounds of food everyday to my torts . So I sprinkle a little on the food everyday and mix it up real well .

Thank you. Going to try this.