My horsfields on Mcintyre Ratio

[billyd]

i just checked weight of my females and they weigh 550g and
140 millimeters and my male is 370g and 115 millimeters.
They didnt come up low or average they was in between both.
here is the link tel me what u think or how yours are doing?

billy

View image: mcintyre.png

[tortoise_dude]

To be honest I would not pay much attention to it. It was done with the best intentions, however, the results where taken from captive tortoises who would probably not display the growth that a wild russian would. This would mean there are anamolous results and a few over-grown torts could easily bunk up the average line. So long as they aren't gaining too much weight and don't feel like empty shells I wouldn't worry.

Russians are very hard to grow slowly and properly so If anything I would err on the side of underfeeding. Be sure they have adequate facilities to tunnel and have a long hibernation and they should grow smoothly

Tortsmad.com ~ UK tortoise guides and Caresheets has a brilliant russian care guide!

[billyd]

well ihave only had my females for bout 5 months and ive had my male for a gud few years but never wanted to hibernate him case anytin happend.
when do u start to hibernate you tortoise and like what in do they eat and drink still do they need heat?
billy

[tortoise_dude]

Originally Posted by billyd

well ihave only had my females for bout 5 months and ive had my male for a gud few years but never wanted to hibernate him case anytin happend.
when do u start to hibernate you tortoise and like what in do they eat and drink still do they need heat?
billy

You are more than likely going to have russians with rapid growth if they do not hibernate. More problems than you will have by not hibernating them.

Firstly, both your tortoises should be healthy before you start to wind them down. Then you 'wind them down' for hibernation. This is about 4 weeks for larger tortoises- you starve them and gradually reduce their day-time hours by switching their lamp off a bit sooner at each end of the day. By the last week there should be no additional heat and they should be ready to hibernate. You need to keep them in a coold out-house or similar, a lot of people much prefer to use the fridge method.

Tortoises and Tortsmad.com ~ UK tortoise guides and Caresheets have great hibernation guides.

[jahred]

The tortoise trust also has numerous articles on Hiberation:

Tortoise Trust Web - Newsletter articles (scroll down to the section)

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by billyd

i just checked weight of my females and they weigh 550g and
140 millimeters and my male is 370g and 115 millimeters.
They didnt come up low or average they was in between both.
here is the link tel me what u think or how yours are doing?

billy

View image: mcintyre.png

Whilst Lisa did a great job in formulating that ratio, it is not a clear indicator of whether your tortoise is the correct weight for his size or not. The majority of horsfields have much thicker, spongier shells that their wild counterparts and if this is the case with yours it will not fall on the true line of the ratio. Do you have pics of yours at all?

[billyd]

i could take sum pictures now next to anytin to c size or just 1 pic of each?

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by billyd

i could take sum pictures now next to anytin to c size or just 1 pic of each?

It's mainly to see how he is 'constructed' if you know what I mean.

[samsteel]

Thanks for this i was lookin all over to find out if my baby horsfield is the right weight and it turns out shes just below average

[purplepixie]

Just remember these charts are only a guide, they are not set in stone. But they are useful.