Stocking up?

[Tom]

You would be surprised how big those dandelion bunches are, but I get what your saying.

Not trying to be argumentative, but it does not seem like you get what I'm saying. I'm not exaggerating when I say that they can eat 20 bunches a day. So by your price that would be $30 a day, or $900 a month. I don't find that to be practical for a large tortoise keeper over the course of an entire winter.

Handouts from the grocery store would be cool though and that is a good idea. Some stores will let you have the trimmed cuttings from their leafy greens and if you mix that with some rehydrated chopped grass hay, it would get you through winter relatively cheaply. I'll bet if you talked to a few of them in your area, you could get quite a bit of stuff for free.

 

[TortMomma]

A bunch of dandelion greens is like 3 to 4 bunches of collard greens, they come in large bunches. I can see how price would add up. I have had a 60lb sulcata to feed before (short term), so I am aware of the amount they consume. I couldn't imagine having to feed a larger one or more than one.

All I'm saying is a good relationship with your local produce store would be a good way to supplement during the winter. Couldn't hurt.


Mommy to:
Nevan- 8yr old human
Arden- Pappillon
Ella-Chihuahua
Toby-Tortoise shell cat
Tinka- Tabby cat
Rex- Ball python
Penny- Eastern Box turtle hatchling
Poppy- Russian tortoise

 

[Tom]

All I'm saying is a good relationship with your local produce store would be a good way to supplement during the winter. Couldn't hurt.

Agreed!

 

[Teodora'sDAD]

I know I mention hay cubes often but, They are a great source of forage and MUCH cleaner than keeping hay bales. They come in 50lb bags too! A Tractor supply store or livestock feed store would carry them. You can find them made out of yummy orchard grass or timothy hay. I figured for us northeners this would be the best bet. Then you can supplement with weeds you can grow under a light. Just have enough so the weeds can grow in between harvesting.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow, that's a great idea, plus there's a Tractor Supply store very close to me!

Not trying to be argumentative, but it does not seem like you get what I'm saying. I'm not exaggerating when I say that they can eat 20 bunches a day. So by your price that would be $30 a day, or $900 a month. I don't find that to be practical for a large tortoise keeper over the course of an entire winter.

Handouts from the grocery store would be cool though and that is a good idea. Some stores will let you have the trimmed cuttings from their leafy greens and if you mix that with some rehydrated chopped grass hay, it would get you through winter relatively cheaply. I'll bet if you talked to a few of them in your area, you could get quite a bit of stuff for free.

I could ask about them giving me the carrot greens, that seems to be a good idea However, 900$ a month is a lot more than I calculated, so if they could just give the cut up or slightly older greens (I know they take them off the shelves when they begin to lose their crisp) for free, I would be one happy camper!

 

[TortMomma]

I think when it comes to having to provide such large amounts of greens daily any little but can help. Probably wouldn't hurt to ask a local small business restaurant where they get their produce from, because I'm sure they get it wholesale. They may have some good leads.


Mommy to:
Nevan- 8yr old human
Arden- Pappillon
Ella-Chihuahua
Toby-Tortoise shell cat
Tinka- Tabby cat
Rex- Ball python
Penny- Eastern Box turtle hatchling
Poppy- Russian tortoise

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

A bunch of dandelion greens is like 3 to 4 bunches of collard greens, they come in large bunches. I can see how price would add up. I have had a 60lb sulcata to feed before (short term), so I am aware of the amount they consume. I couldn't imagine having to feed a larger one or more than one.

All I'm saying is a good relationship with your local produce store would be a good way to supplement during the winter. Couldn't hurt.


Mommy to:
Nevan- 8yr old human
Arden- Pappillon
Ella-Chihuahua
Toby-Tortoise shell cat
Tinka- Tabby cat
Rex- Ball python
Penny- Eastern Box turtle hatchling
Poppy- Russian tortoise

Hahaha, yeah, mine is only 40lbs, but she'll get bigger!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I think when it comes to having to provide such large amounts of greens daily any little but can help. Probably wouldn't hurt to ask a local small business restaurant where they get their produce from, because I'm sure they get it wholesale. They may have some good leads.


Mommy to:
Nevan- 8yr old human
Arden- Pappillon
Ella-Chihuahua
Toby-Tortoise shell cat
Tinka- Tabby cat
Rex- Ball python
Penny- Eastern Box turtle hatchling
Poppy- Russian tortoise

Wow, I just though of that, my mom has a costco membership and they sell greens in bulk. Like, BULK. Of course it;s thing like salad and stuff, but one time they had dandelions for cooking with, because I know people use those sometimes...

 

[krh11b23]

U can maybe mix some hey with some store bought spring mix? I'm not big on store bought foods but I know a lot of people on here feed spring mix. I would assume that for a few months u could do this along with mazuri and cactus pads from time to time.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I am going to be buying some Mazuri, I have never had it but, then could give some to my russian too... I do not have a cactus at this time but will be getting one! Or if not, some cactus pads from the store
Yes, not big on lettuce and such, but sometimes I think it wouldn't hurt much...