aldabra weigh time . . . .

[big ted]

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sorry to disturb you guys . . .

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so first - get the gear together . . .

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then, if they need to be brought back to their house . . .

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then lifting straps attached to the hoist and weigh scales . .

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( 170kg)


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(125kg)


. . and chance to health check areas you can't normally see!

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then time for a quick tickle & a treat

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[Jemma1]

wow they are amazing!!

[Merlin M]

Wow, weighing seems like a fair feet!
They all look beautiful!!

[emma_mcraf]

They are such fabulous tortoises! How often do they get weighed?

[big ted]

depends how strong i'm feeling! certainly feels like a gym session when you've been moving these guys about.
at the moment, its quite regularly - probably about once a week, just to keep track of how much weight they are gaining coz they're munching machines and can really pack it away with all this good weather & the grass & weeds growing well.
i'm making them work for their food much more - by having to move around & walk for it, rather than just have a pile dropped infront of their nose

[Merlin M]

Must be more fun for them to find it rather than being presented with it?

So do you manage to move them yourself? If so I am very impressed!

[Scute Recruit]

Your Aldabras are beautiful! How old are they? They look nice and big.
I work in a Zoo and we have 5 Aldabras who were customs seizure 20 years ago so they are just about maturing now.
We have target trained ours so we can now lure them to the scale and ask them to step on. We can also move them around their enclosure (albeit slowly) without touching them. Saves the aching backs of several zoo keepers!
Have you ever thought of target training yours?

[big ted]

for sure - it's more natural & stimulates them by having to search around.
I can turn them around by myself,but to physically lift them - no no!!
the big lad is around 27 stone & needs 3 -4 strong people to lift.
and there's the added danger of trapped fingers ( between shell & his legs -that REALLY hurts!) or him standing on your foot. ouch!
cranes, hoists & pallet truck take as much of the strain as poss.

[Merlin M]

Wow, I knew they got heavy but just wow!! Yeah no way one person can lift that!!!

[emma_mcraf]

27 stone!! Wowzers - he's a big chap!
Thanks for sharing the photos and info, it's so interesting.