General Care Discussion

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:37 pm **Turtles HATE eating in a separate container**

My turtles' tank has been getting dirtier lately so I decided to start feeding them in a separate tank to reduce the waste...Well, I put them in a container with about 4 inches of warm (78 degree F) water but they panic and won't eat. They spend most of their time trying to escape. They will only eat in their main tank.

I was thinking of getting a bigger feeding container, but my father lost his job and we are very, very low on money

.

What do ya'll suggest I should do to get them to eat in the separate container? :?:

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:49 pm

It might take them time to get used to it. Just keep on doing it, and they'll calm down in a few days and will probably take notice of all the pellets floating around their faces.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:51 pm

Thank you

I just worry a lot when I see that they are so distressed....

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:11 pm

hehe, you're welcome!

yea...I know what you mean. My tiny Mafan also was scared the first time I fed him in a bucket, but I just kept doing it, since that way I knew for sure he got his share of food.

Soon, he stopped being so afraid and now is comfortable in eating in his bucket.

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:18 pm

I have begun to do this too and I have to put her in the bathroom with the door closed because she gets too shy otherwise.

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:31 pm

Oh boy!

Training these little guys - and gals - is as challenging as raising children. We want what is best; they want what is easiest.
Let's face it, kicking back in your tank and being fed is much easier than having to get out-and-in just to eat.
They'll fight at first and refuse to eat, but if you stay strong, after a few days of 'hunger strike' they'll eat anywhere!!!!!
You are not starving them, you are giving them food and they can eat anytime. So don't give up too easily.
My little girl took three days.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:57 am

I have the same problem with mine. I have tried feeding them in a seperate container but they flip and smash frantically against the walls. I give in and put them in their tank. I want to break them of this so I too, will just keep on keepin'on til they finally give in. It's probably easier if you don't watch them so you don't have to feel bad.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:28 am

Mine are also stress by their feeding containers...I am just going to get a nice filter and a battery powered vac to clean up food wastes

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:23 pm

Make sure that you aren't getting new water. Just get some water from the tank. A quick change in temperature can jar them, or they could be irritated by chemicals. Other than that, just do the tough love. Make sure that the feeding area isn't high traffic and noisy. You want to do everything you can to calm them.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:55 pm

Some turtles just don't want to eat in a separate container. If you try to feed them in a separate container for a reasonable amount of time and the still refuse, you might have to keep feeding them in the tank.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:03 pm

untsmurf wrote:Make sure that you aren't getting new water. Just get some water from the tank. A quick change in temperature can jar them, or they could be irritated by chemicals. Other than that, just do the tough love. Make sure that the feeding area isn't high traffic and noisy. You want to do everything you can to calm them.

I use tank water and still they flip out :roll:

General Care Discussion :: Turtles HATE eating in a separate container

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