i have been using ground cuttlefish as a added source of calcium for my tort, is it better to use this or limestone flour, hope someone can help

i use cuttlefish bone....but the best thing to use is nutrobol supplements. mine hate it though so i use cuttlefish bone instead

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ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
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What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.1.0 Guinea pigs

forgot to mention that i use nutrobol as well, ive never really had a problem with her taking nutrobol, although as mine wont take any water directly (she is bathed 3 times a week) i have taken to getting a small slice of Cucumber, blending it to a fine paste,then adding some nutrobal and ground cuttlefish,then a half pint of water, blend again, then shake it up and dip the weeds that i give her into it thus she gets her water intake and an even spread of Nutrobol & Cuttlefish as she will stuff it down as quick as she can-greedy sod!!, the mixture can then be kept in the fridge for quite a while about 2 weeks, you should try it - it works a treat, Please note that i do not feed her cucumber directly anymore from the advice from this forum, but she seems goes crazy for the smell of it, and i am weaning her of it.

Andy ........... as has been previously pointed out to you, cuttlefish is not sufficient to provide your tortoises with the amount of calcium they need....for the sake of your tortoises buy a new pot of nutrobal, if you continue to deprive them of this they WILL suffer MBD, this is similar to arthritis in humans and will result in your tortoises being very poorly and in pain.

I use Nutrobal daily on my little ones, 3 times a week for my older tortoises. There are limestone blocks all over their enclosure and cuttlefish for them to nibble on.

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

I use nutrobal three times a week for my older tort, n the little one gets a seperate feeding n extra dose every week..she's two so shouldn't need it but better to be safe than sorry.. I also use a sprinkling of limestone flour every day. And they have cuttlefish bones in their inside and outside enclosures..hadn't thought of limestone blocks, cheers for that tip phoebe i'll see if i can find them anywhere

i'm sure my local equine shop had them in for the horse licks but will double check before i move

Also Andy saying your tortoise hates it so you don't give it, aint really an excuse.. continue putting it onto their food they will NOT starve themselves,just may take them a while to realise they aint gettin a choice in the matter. Persistance is the key

Katie

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Hi Katie,

I make my own limestone blocks, you cant buy them <g>

Slowly mix water with a few handfuls of limestone flour until you have a thick paste consistency. Then mould it into a ball, or block, shape (yip, its messy, kids love making them lol) put in on an old baking tray and pop in the oven on a low temp until it goes hard.
My torts love nibbling on these and are more likely to eat these than when its in powder form.

Hope this helps

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

ahh cool, just presumed the calcium licks would have been made outa limestone guess not,

Ok better go buy some more limestone flour n get 'baking' :P

cheers for the tips hun


Katie

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Your welcome

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

i also use zolcal-D its a calcium and d3 supplement that you put in the water when you bath them

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ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
Ñ Ç

What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.1.0 Guinea pigs

Andy,

I have asked the TT about Zolcal-D, will post Andy Highfields reply when I get it, but I don't think this is a suitable replacement for Nutrobal as it isn't a multi vitamin supplement and seems to be used for short periods of time only in tortoises with severe MBD.

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's