Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey, does anyone feed their water monitors ground turkey?? how often? thanks.

Extremely smelly stool and not get near as much nutrients etc, then use the stuff, but youll give up on it quick.
Use whole animals, mice rats, chicks, roaches, crickets, etc. Far better diet and cheaper in the end.

thanks...yea that doesnt sound too good. How do you save money on feeding your water monitors without sacrificing their health?

IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO RAISE A WATER MONITOR YOU SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO SET UP A NICE RAT BREEDING RACK. MY RACK COSTS ME 10-20 DOLLARS PER MONTH.

A hope nothing unusual happens.. Monitors are expensive, but yes order bulk rodents, a whole world less expensive than one at a time or messing with dogfood, catfood,and all the other stuff.

I don't know how shvar uses it, but it doesn't sound like he is mixing it right. Our animals don't normally have runny stools. Turkey diet is fine and equivalent to other diets when it comes to nutrients. Many people use it and have bred monitors with it, including those who keep and breed salvator. Whole diets are good too, but you can interchange diets effectivelyit you wish. Its really a matter of choice, they'll eat nearly anything. Good luck,
Jeff

hey jeff, thanks for replying. what do you mix the turkey with?? thanks.

We mix large quantities. Basically you get the leanest turkey you can find. Mix 10 lbs to 90 grams of steamed bonemeal (health food stores) or some just use calcium carbonate. Then add 2 crushed centrum tablets - freeze into portions. In the end it is much cheaper than mice if thats your worry. Good luck.

I use the same recipe as Jeff with the post above mine does. Half Turkey diet half mice is perfect for a Water Monitor. That is what alot of people (and zoos) do. My monitor is healthy, strong, and happy. And my pockets aren't drained. And I don't have a big mouse breeding operation going on either. Buy bulk mice and put in freezer. Follow this - You'll be fine. Good Luck. fN>

had a Nile that looked just like him, and fed him the same exact way! Very nice Nile!!
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Greg
www.imageevent.com/gmherps

Thanks!

I think the misconception with the runny stools has to do with the lack of hair in the turkey mix. I use a version of the turkey mix (replacing the turkey with kangaroo) and alternate it with whole foods. The stools are pasty rather than liquidy but might appear runny by comparison if you are used to seeing the post rat or mouse stools. On close examination (not that I do this often), that 'firmness' is just a lot of hair holding it all together. As far as smell goes, it all smells potent to my sensitive nose.