|
|
Post by EsotericComposer on Jan 25, 2005 10:02:31 GMT -8
So. My boyfriend and I left town on Thursday evening of last week and got home late last night. Well I left enough food for two weeks and a page of instructions that I talked over with my bf's mother before we left. She understood them and did a GREAT JOB! Eki was fed the food that should've lasted two weeks in four days. I was shocked and a bit frustrated. Now he's going to be wanting more food when he was eating plenty before. So he's a fat little boy now! Went through a shed and half. And was treated wonderfully while we were gone.
But he's gone from eating two tupperware containers of food in two weeks down to FOUR DAYS!.. Should I continue to feed him the larger amounts he's gotten use to in four days or go back to my method before where he seemed fine. But if he's able to eat more should I feed more? when I said large handful in the morning and another in the night. I think she used two handfuls. lol
|
|
|
|
Post by IguanaKing on Jan 25, 2005 10:50:22 GMT -8
Well, it sounds like things went a little better this time. ;D Yes, you should definitely feed Eki as much as he will eat. Iguanas generally don't overeat, but many times they're actually underfed without their parent even knowing. Eki's a growing kid, it'll shock you how much his appetite increases over time. I like the statement that I read about this...can't remember where though, DOH!!! It says, "If your iguana regularly cleans his plate, he's not getting enough food". Always give him more than you think he'll eat, you shouldn't have to worry about overfeeding him.  |
|
|
|
Post by SurvivorSteph on Jan 25, 2005 13:30:08 GMT -8
IK's right... offer food until he quits eating.
|
|
|
|
Post by Merlin on Jan 25, 2005 13:57:45 GMT -8
I agree. If you are feeding the proper foods its almost impossible for them to overeat. Herbivores in general eat more than you would think they would need.
Thats why plant eating animals are almost always eating!
|
|
|
|
Post by EsotericComposer on Jan 25, 2005 17:02:56 GMT -8
Thanks so much guys. All great information. All sounds and makes so much sense. I never thought I might have been under-feeding him. but now it just means instead of an hour of preparing it's more of two hours it may end up being. I'm picky and make sure all stems are removed.
|
|
|
|
Post by IguanaKing on Jan 25, 2005 18:28:25 GMT -8
Just a suggestion. At Eki's size, you might consider getting a food-processor to tear up his food. It'll save you a bunch of time, and his food can actually last longer before spoling. Just grind up his food as its needed in the food processor, leaves and other veggies usually stay fresh longer if they are whole rather than chopped or torn. Be prepared though, if his food is in smaller pieces, he'll be eating even more than he is now. On the food processor subject, just a little advice (you probably know this from your job though ), "cheap" is not cheap. I went through several $40 and $50 machines, all combined, in half the time that I have had my most-recent $200 machine. The more expensive model turned out to be cheaper in the long-run. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by EsotericComposer on Jan 25, 2005 19:38:58 GMT -8
I buy bags of collards, mustards and sometimes combination bags. THey're already mostly torn up just need an extra tearing. And I buy baby mixed greens from costco. Organic baby greens. A combination of items. I'll look them up again and list them for those who don't know what they are for variety in his diet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Jan 31, 2005 4:41:15 GMT -8
HAHAHA! Yep! It takes forever!! Just wait till he's BIG! (I remove stems too) I often wonder how in the world they even fit it all in there! Thrasher eats bigger salads than I do!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Merlin on Jan 31, 2005 5:55:02 GMT -8
Heck just look at the quantity of eggs they fit in there! The laws of physics apparently do not apply to the inside of iguanas! |
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Jan 31, 2005 7:03:36 GMT -8
YEP! Check this out EC! This pic is of the eggs Thrasher had last fall. They didn't develop shells (preovulatory stasis), and she had to have them surgically removed. but just LOOK at the mass compared to her body!  |
|
|
|
Post by EsotericComposer on Feb 1, 2005 8:29:56 GMT -8
Wow... Something to wake up and see this morning.. :giggle: Yeah they are amazing. Sorta reminds me of my boyfriend. I have no idea where he fits all the food he eats... o.O
|
|
