limestone flour alternative

ukphd · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:28 PM

Hello

I have decided that I need to find an alternative for the limestone flour for Bob. She just doesn't seem to want to eat anything with it on at all! Wurlte will happily chomp down whatever I give him covered in nutrobal and limestone but Bob won't. I've persevered now for weeks but it's not improving and I want to get her eating properly again.

So I was wondering if people have any good suggestions for alternatives to limestone flour for her? She doesn't like nutrobal either but I am thinking ot trying Reptivits for that perhaps? but am open to suggestions. I just want to make sure that she's a) eating! and b) getting the vits and minerals she needs.

tortoise_dude · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:32 PM

I find putting nutrabol in a pepper shaker and storing it in the fridge makes my tortoises accept it more readily.

Sprinkle it from very high up over the food so that there are no clumps.

With regards to limestone flour, I just put a dish in each enclosure and they pick at it when they want. I also provide cuttlefish. But they dont eat the cuttlefish until its weathered and probably covered in poo!

Tina · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:33 PM

You could try Calypso cricket dust... that's 99% pure calcium.

I have a tub here if you want a little bagging up to try I'll send it in the post for you

EVIEMAY · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tortoise_dude

I find putting nutrabol in a pepper shaker and storing it in the fridge makes my tortoises accept it more readily.

Sprinkle it from very high up over the food so that there are no clumps.

With regards to limestone flour, I just put a dish in each enclosure and they pick at it when they want. I also provide cuttlefish. But they dont eat the cuttlefish until its weathered and probably covered in poo!

Mine are the same - they wont touch the nice clean cuttlefish indoors but as soon as they go outside and find the ones covered in dirt they really set to it !!!!!!

ukphd · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tina

You could try Calypso cricket dust... that's 99% pure calcium.

I have a tub here if you want a little bagging up to try I'll send it in the post for you

ooh that would be great if you don't mind - I'll pm you - thanks!

ukphd · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tortoise_dude

I find putting nutrabol in a pepper shaker and storing it in the fridge makes my tortoises accept it more readily.

Sprinkle it from very high up over the food so that there are no clumps.

With regards to limestone flour, I just put a dish in each enclosure and they pick at it when they want. I also provide cuttlefish. But they dont eat the cuttlefish until its weathered and probably covered in poo!

Thanks - I do have my nutrobal in a shaker but hadn't thought of putting it in the fridge - will definitely try that.
She always has access to a cuttlefish but won't ever touch it! She did used to try to eat white stones when she was outside though (but since the vet gave her a calcium injection she's not done that again).

terrypin · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukphd

Hello

I have decided that I need to find an alternative for the limestone flour for Bob. She just doesn't seem to want to eat anything with it on at all! Wurlte will happily chomp down whatever I give him covered in nutrobal and limestone but Bob won't. I've persevered now for weeks but it's not improving and I want to get her eating properly again.

So I was wondering if people have any good suggestions for alternatives to limestone flour for her? She doesn't like nutrobal either but I am thinking ot trying Reptivits for that perhaps? but am open to suggestions. I just want to make sure that she's a) eating! and b) getting the vits and minerals she needs.

as Josh says if you keep your nutrobal in the fridge thay seem to accept it better i think it stays fresh as it appears to have a sronger smell when it gets older if you dont do this. as i live on an island and have accesss to free cuttlefish. for many years i would dry it and scrape it into tubs to store then sprinkle it over their food it has no smell and also is not as dusty as limestone flour.another thing i do is when i put fresh cuttlefish in the table is give it a quick wash under the tap then break it into lumps mine go mad for it fresh when its like this.
terry

ukphd · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrypin

as Josh says if you keep your nutrobal in the fridge thay seem to accept it better i think it stays fresh as it appears to have a sronger smell when it gets older if you dont do this. as i live on an island and have accesss to free cuttlefish. for many years i would dry it and scrape it into tubs to store then sprinkle it over their food it has no smell and also is not as dusty as limestone flour.another thing i do is when i put fresh cuttlefish in the table is give it a quick wash under the tap then break it into lumps mine go mad for it fresh when its like this.
terry

Thanks - I will try all that

. Tina's very kindly sending me some cricket powder but if that doesn't tempt Bob then I'll try grating up cuttlefish too. Nutrobal is now in the fridge so will see if she accepts it tomorrow!

Carley1985 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 08:00 PM

I used to use ESU Iguana Calcium Spray because that's what he was used to when I first got him, every now and then he goes through a phase of rejecting limestone flour or only eats it when its on certain foods, so I also use this, he likes it because it smells like mangos!!

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