Habitat - Outdoor :: am i over feeding my turtles?

[ap2]

hello just got to new painted turtles a month ago i've been feeding them baby shrimp and mini-krill because they wont eat pellets.
but i feed my turtles about 2 to 3 times a day, am i over feeding them? and can i take them outside when its nice out. my turtles are about 2 inches

[bluedragoon85]

Hi,

I really don't know very much of the matter, but I can tell you that feeding them baby shrimp and mini-krill everyday is definitely not a good diet for them. I believe does should only be feed occasionally as a treat. Also 2 to 3 times a day does seem like over doing it. I feed them once a day, and try to not give them no more than what could fit in their head. Also, what pellets are you giving them? I also had the same problems, but I switched to some better pellets (reptomin) and they love them.

[marisa]

Welcome.

Sounds like too much to me. And bluedragon is right---shrimp and krill as a steady diet is too much protein.

I've got several Eastern painteds, and if you want beautiful, smooth shells and no shedding problems they really need a well balanced diet. What brand of pellet are you trying to feed them? The shrimp and krill are fine as an occasional treat, but they need other foods as well, in addition to the pellets. For veggies, mine especially like red peppers, sweet potato, dandelion, red leaf lettuce and carrots.

[ap2]

thanks i'll definately stop feed them so much i've tryed mini sticks and one other kind of pellets but i gave them away, but when i tryed to feed them the shrimp they loved it now i know its just a treat for them.
can i ask what kind of pellets do you feed you'r turtle?

[Caphits]

The best ones are:

Reptomin: Dont buy the "mini" sticks. Just buy the regular ones, and break them, if they are too big. Found at walmart.

Mazuri: They are relatively hard to find.

[ap2]

yeah thats the kind of pellets i do have there the mini [reptomin] so ill have to but the other one and break them down and only feed them once a day thankx everyone for your help!

[marisa]

Nutritionally, the Reptomin Baby is OK to give (it actually is lower in protein and higher in calcium than regular Reptomin). However, it's not very cost effective, since the container is small and you'd have to give a bit more of it at a feeding than the regular pellet.

I do use Reptomin, along with other pellets, such as Hikari, Repcal, etc. I've also tried the HB Turtle Bites (not a fan of them), Monster (very similar in content to Mazuri), Mazuri (even though it's supposed to be good, to me isn't not worth the effort to get), and Nutrafin, among others. Don't forget other foods besides pellets to round out the diet.

[ap2]

they are very pickey they love the pellets but it seems only one of my baby res are eating the pellets i have to take the one that eat [lighting is the name,
so the other one can eat but even them he will only eat 1 to 2 pellets im worryed he might be sick does anyone else think he might be sick? also he gets really scard when i walk up to the tank where the other one lighting will just lokk at me like he/she saying wheres my food lil pig, i love both of them and just want the best for them