General Care Discussion :: NOT GROWING!!!!! EMERGENCY!!!

[haimish321]

I have 2 2inch RES but they aren't growning alot. In the morning, I give them 2 earthworms each. ANd at night they get 4 pellets each(WARDLEY BRAND). They stay outside because my family members don't like animals inside. They bask for about 5-8 hrs. a day. I have had them for about 5 months. I can't afford a vet, and my family members aren't willing to buy them anything, besides some cheap food. They are currently in a 14 gallon Rubbermaid Container.

Please help

[xsavingsaturdayx]

If you have had them since they were hatchlings then that is very normal growth. If anything the slower they grow the better.

Also, you are overfeeding them. Instead of giving them two earthworms each everyday, just give them pellets in the morning (as much as would fit inside their head if it were hollow), and offer vegetables like endives, or collard greens everyday and feed earthworms once every two weeks.

I suggest you do some reading on the basics: www.redearslider.com

[marisa]

Try dandelion leaves and red-leaf lettuce, some thin carrot peels occasionally.

Alternating with another pellet would be good as well. You can buy Reptomin at Walmart quite cheaply.

[RunninWideOpen]

hmm...what kind of setup do you have outside for them?

don't worry, they don't grow extremely fast. one thing that could stunt their growth is a parasite or worm. You could get a stool sample and take in to a vet to get it analyzed. I don't believe that's very expensive at all.

You've had them 5 months.....how old/big were they when you got them?

[haimish321]

This is what my parents got for me. I CANT AFFORD A VET!!!

[RunninWideOpen]

That's a creative little setup. The turtles actually climb up inside that box?

What's the water temperature at? Water temp needs to be regulated. Too cool of water could cause a loss of appetite and loss of growth as well.

Do you have a water filter? If not, how often are you changing the water?

You came for help, so I just offered a suggestion on your problem. If you can't afford a vet then don't go. I'm just saying that could cause slow growth, and the problem won't get fixed without treatment. I don't imagine testing for parasites/worms to cost more than $20.

[haimish321]

Yeah they climb up VERY often. the water now is at 81 deg F and the basking spot is about 90 deg F. No filter. The water gets changed every other day. The vets near my house charge about $100. Plus my family members dont give a d*mn about them.

[Safdar]

Doenst it just make you want to go get a job and earn some money?
Thats how i felt

[haimish321]

Too young. im only 15. i wish i had a job.

[Safdar]

im 15 too,
just one more year

Though my mom has no problem in spending money
She doesnt want to reach the triple digits

[RunninWideOpen]

my parents used to think i ws crazy for liking turtles. now I'm married and moved out, and my parents took care of my turtles while I was gone for a week. Now they're in love with them, hehe.

Sounds like you're doing great with changing the water! The water temp is a little on the high side, but that won't cause slow growth. If anything, it would cause them to grow too fast.

How old/big were they when you got them? If they had just recently hatched, then that is very normal growth. If they were 2" when you got them and haven't grown at all in 5 months, that's unusual....

How much do they eat and how often?

[haimish321]

Well they were 1and a half inches when born. In the morning, I give them 2 earthworms each. ANd at night they get 4 pellets each(WARDLEY BRAND).

[haimish321]

Let me reprase that. I got them at 1 and a half inches

[RunninWideOpen]

oh ok. then that sounds like pretty normal growth to me. I wouldn't be concerned about it. Are their shells growing nice and smooth?

I've never heard of Wardley Brand turtle pellets? Maybe someone else will come along that has. I would suggest getting some Reptomin baby pellets. They're very well balanced for RES. It's the primary food for all my aquatic turts, and the young ones are growing nicely.

Cut back on the earthworms a little. Maybe offer earthworms once to twice a week, but in place of the pellets. The pellets are much more balanced than earthworms, but earthworms and other worms are good to offer occasionally also. Just not quite as often. Their total food consumption for the day should be the same amount of food that would fit inside their head if it were hollow. They only need fed once a day. When they get to be 3-4" I only feed them every other day. Offer some veggies too. Romaine, red leaf, green leaf lettuce, collards, dandelion leaves..... all good stuff and should be offered daily. They may not eat it right away since they are young and you haven't been offering, but eventually they'll take to it and it is very good for them.

I hope that helps.