Reptile & Amphibian Forums

has anyone tried or would recommend horse feed for tortoises? i know they sell alfalfa and burmuda pellets for horses. you can gel 50lb bags for about $10. there are also other grasses available. granted, they won't have extra vitamins/minerals. it seems convenient, cost effective and healthful addition to a diet.

what do you think?

First, what kind of tortoise do you have?

I have a Hermann's

You do not want to feed horse pellets to any tortoise.

Hermann's do need a high fiber diet and you can buy some hay at the feed store for him. I know Bermuda is fine, but am not sure about the alfalfa. This hay is always much fresher than the bagged hay available in pet stores. Cut/chop/grind the hay and mix with greens. Hope this helps.

I remember reading once upon a time that timothy hay is better for tortoises than alfalfa. How it's packaged doesn't seem that important, as long it's not used as the only source of food.

I remember reading that horse feed was used by a sulcata owner with good results. Makes sense as long as it's part of a variety diet. Horses and Tortoises eat grasses! Anyone else read this? I wish I could remember what site.