I don't use limestone flour for calcium carbonate, should I?
I sprinkle grated cuttlefish on their food daily and I have a dish with mashed up cuttlefish in the enclosure (I mash it with a hammer!) is this enough?
Should I worry about overdosing on calcium because Buster has forever got his head tucked into the mashed up cuttlefish!! Or does this mean he feels deficient and should I be giving more? Marvin never eats it out of the dish.
Any advice would be appreciated.

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Karen

Have a look through this article on promoting proper bone development:

Tortoise Trust Web - Promoting Proper Bone Development

It answers your question.

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Thanks for that Tina, it certainly does answer my questions! Better get some limestone powder!!!!!

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Karen

I would imagine using cuttlefish for the main calcium source is probably not a good idea as it is pretty high in phosphorous too which a normal diet already contains enough of.
Do you use a daily supplement such as nutrobal, recommended for all growing torts on a daily basis?

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

I give them their nutrobal every second day on a piece of strawberry as they won't eat their food if it's on it! Do you think I should give it everyday?

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Karen

Every other day should be enough. The limestone flour can be offered in a bowl so they can help them selves, or you squish it together with water and mould it into a ball, When it dries out it is crumbley but mine are able to scrape at it, like cuttlefish.

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I would give it everyday Karen. Start off with a tiny bit sprinkled froma great height so they cannot even see it on their food, then gradually increase it. They WILL eat it eventually, they are just showing you how clever they are

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

Well, as the tortoise trust say daily for growing torts and the manufacturers state this too, then I would not cut supplementation by half myself.

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

I always sprinkle nutrobal on any extra food I give my tortoises, but as they are out 24/7 and forage for them selves in their well stocked enclosures, I can't give it every day. I give them hand picked foods every other day which is always full of supplements, but to be honest they generally prefer to help them selves to what is still in the ground. I think this is the most natural thing for them so I don't worry. I dont have any concerns with their health and their shells all look great.

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Thanks. I have already given them it today, what I do is

Slice a strawberry into 3 or 4 pieces, then use the end of the handle of a teaspoon and smear the nutrobal onto each slice, it absorbs into the strawberry and makes it very juicy and then I hand feed it to them, that way I know they are definately getting it. Each tort gets their own strawberry. I have tried a tiny wee amount on their food but they just nibble round about it. I use a tea strainer to sprinkle it on their food. I think its the smell of it because it does smell quite strong to me and I think the strawberry disguises this!

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Karen