It looks like there is some debate..! I'll definitely make sure I do my research, Thanks.

Hi sarah have you raised this female from a baby ?

My 10 year old ibera?

Yes i have raised her from a baby, she is gravid now

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[quote=blondesarah;1465599]Well Ed i have been using a weed diet for over 10 years now and my 10 year old female has produced her first eggs.
I am having great results with this, which is close to nature as possible.

I think you are putting your tortoises at risk, if it has not be properly tested and i think you such stop telling people to use it without proper 100 years plus evidence.[/quote

Personally, I have never tried the pelleted foods and therefore have no opinion either way on their effectiveness, however, if E.J. has been using processed foods for eight years or more then he too could probably state that he has been successful in rearing and breeding tortoises on this diet and we are back to "a matter of personal opinion", one being no more, or less valid than the other.
My only other thought on this is if animal food manufacturers are able to formulate the ultimate diet for animals such as dogs, cats and rodents for instance,which are universally accepted by pet owners, then why should they not be equally adept at applying these principles to the manufacture of the tortoise diet. If a homeless cat becomes feral, then it reverts to its natural instincts and hunts mice and birds to eat, therefore if cat owners were to use natural foods, they would be feeding their pets on live animals, not processed foods.

The only problem I have with this response (which btw is great) is that one opinion is more valid than the other.

I've used and use both diets. Where the other persons opinion is only based on their using only the one diet.


[quote=jms;1499521]

[quote=-EJ;1499536]The only problem I have with this response (which btw is great) is that one opinion is more valid than the other.

I've used and use both diets. Where the other persons opinion is only based on their using only the one diet

When making a post, I try to base my comments on personal experience, (which on this matter, as stated, I have none), or common sense.
The animal food industry is a multi -million pound industry and is growing year on year, phenomenal amounts of money are spent on research, therefore, if processed foods are accepted and proven in all other types of animal husbandry, then why would the manufacturers of tortoise diets have got it so wrong?

In my opinion... they have got it quite close to spot on.

have you got any pics of her please