Time

[Blakem]

So, I currently only have two tortoises. Every morning I wake up 20-30 minutes before I am supposed to wake for work to get everything taken care of for my tortoises. That is not counting the stuff during the day. I know it's not that much time. But, I was wondering, how long does it take for you guys to prep in the morning for your tortoises? Forgive me if there is already a thread for this. I am curious for future reference, and what my future wife has to look forward to!

 

[Laurie]

My adult RT takes really no time at all. He is living outside for the summer. I have planted him lots of weeds to eat. I will also put down some fresh greens/cactus for him everyday, but I do that at my leisure because he just kind of grazes all day. I also give him fresh water. If I were in a hurry, I would say five minutes tops to give some food. I wouldn't be too concerned if I skipped a day, he has plenty to eat.

My baby Russians are both indoors. The mvb's are on a timer that comes on at 7am. Again if I were in a hurry, maybe another five minutes to give greens/weeds (I just go out in my yard and pull them), and fill the water, pick out any wastes or food scraps I see. When I'm home, which is five days a week , I don't feed them in the morning, I simply move them to their outdoor enclosures which also have weeds growing.

The thing for me that takes the longest is soaking. I usually soak in the afternoon because it's just easier for me. The babies get soaked everyday for 25 minutes. I usually just set them up on my kitchen counter while I'm cleaning the kitchen. That way I can watch them and warm their water if needed. After their soak I offer more greens for them. Really my afternoon routine is the most time consuming.

 

[Blakem]

My adult Russian is super easy as well! I just grab his food, wash it and throw it in. Now with my hatchling sulcata, much longer, but it makes me happy.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

My 4 take about 5 minutes a day in summer...mix up veggies or soaked kibble/dried greens (depending on the day), feed them and change out the water dish.

In winter, maybe 15 minutes per day, with the cleaning taking the largest part. and 2-3X a week I soak each one for 30 minutes, but I do that while watching TV or while on the computer.

Of course, as often as possible, I spend much more time hanging out w/ them...

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

About 15 minutes to make sure everyone has fresh food and water, and to mist the redfoots.

 

[yagyujubei]

About 1/2 hour for me. I've got 8 to bring up from the basement (3 trips) food, water, and I usually spray their pens. Plus a few cups of coffee. Then I drag the hose to the turtles.(250') Spray and feed.

 

[pdelpizzo]

About 1/2 hour for me. I've got 8 to bring up from the basement (3 trips) food, water, and I usually spray their pens. Plus a few cups of coffee. Then I drag the hose to the turtles.(250') Spray and feed.

Your tortoises drink coffee?

 

[Neal]

We can get by on 30 to 45 minutes each day for over 30 torts during the weekdays and Sunday. Saturdays we usually get a couple hours in of tortoise time.

 

[kanalomele]

Truthfully, my 2 live outside for the entire summer with a yard full of goodies so they mostly take care of themselves. I soak them every few days, and they come to my backdoor for treats quite often but that's about it. My new girl is still in quarrentine so she is about 10 min or so, for fresh food and water. You are not far from me so we have perfect Russian weather for outside living!

 

[Blakem]

Well, definitely not the timing I was expecting! I just don't have a strategy down I guess. My sulcata hatchling is still in quarantine so that takes a while to get fresh water and chop up the food. Then, I take my Russian out of his tank and put him outside.

 

[bigred]

I have 4 adult Redfoots and 3 small radiated. 15 minutes in the morning and about the same when I get home from work. I would be spending alot more time with them but I have to go to work. Weekends it is more than that

 

[tyguy35]

well So i prep when Im going to bed and feed also feed again when waking up

 

[wellington]

Well, definitely not the timing I was expecting! I just don't have a strategy down I guess. My sulcata hatchling is still in quarantine so that takes a while to get fresh water and chop up the food. Then, I take my Russian out of his tank and put him outside.

How old is your Russian? Maybe if he is old enough, you can build him an outside summer pen and leave him out day and night. Takes me about 5 mins. A.m. To feed, wait 1/2 hour then outside for the day and fill water pond. Then7-8 pm in for a soak, 15-20 mins. Then to bed he goes.
just to maybe help you a bit. When my leopard was a hatchling, I never chopped his greens. I would wash and rip in half and fed them to him. No body chops it for them in the wild, so neither did/do I.

 

[*Barracuda_50*]

Well with all 3 of the grandkids im up around 6am if Cassie is not up at that time i give the babies there mornning soak bath and while there soaking i or Cassie prepare all food items and wash out there water dish and refill, check over for poo's and such clean around there table/home which we fluff/stir up bedding and re moisted it get rid of old food and then place in the fresh, then babies back in. It takes about 25 mins to get that all done as we want them to make sure they get a good soak, then 2 times a day we get them out for 2 hrs sunshine and grazing time and where they graze theres shadey areas for when they get to hot while grazing each time when there done grazing and going back in the house we give them another soak bath. Then just befour bed time/lights off they get some fresh foods and more fresh water in there dish. We have alot time to spend with them even with as busy as we do get around here.

 

[Blakem]

How old is your Russian? Maybe if he is old enough, you can build him an outside summer pen and leave him out day and night. Takes me about 5 mins. A.m. To feed, wait 1/2 hour then outside for the day and fill water pond. Then7-8 pm in for a soak, 15-20 mins. Then to bed he goes.
just to maybe help you a bit. When my leopard was a hatchling, I never chopped his greens. I would wash and rip in half and fed them to him. No body chops it for them in the wild, so neither did/do I.

He is approximately 4-6 years of age. He is outside from 7am-7pm. I don't chop any on my russians greens but I do tear my sulcatas food. I am not sure if I feel like he will be safe to leave out at night! I guess I would just need to make it predator proof.
Man, everyone has quite the system! I try and do things while I am getting ready for work but I sometimes fin myself sitting there and watching them.