Alphalfa?

[tara05]

I am curious if any has fed their snails alphalfa? Maybe soaked in water to soften it?

I was just reading about feeding snails crushed rabbit pellets, and the main ingredient over here is alphalfa. Besides, I have a HUGE bag of alphalfa cubes left over from our rabbit days (a few months). If the snails can have it, I will try them on a small amount.

[Arno]

No i have never given it,but i can't see why you shouldn't try it with your snails.Read a bit about it and it contains nothing that can harm your snails.

[tara05]

Thats what I figured. I know that they will eat some of the prepared horse food that we have (on a side note, I found that feeding a natural horse food comprised of pesticide, hormone and additive/preservative free to rats eliminated cancer over about 10 generations [when I raised rats for 10 years]). They like it soaked and soft, so maybe I will try soaking some alphalfa in water, see if they like it. Maybe if they go off their food, soaking it in some beer? I dont' drink so would have to buy it for them, lol. I will give it a go and see what happens Thanks Arno

[apple]

LOL.
I would like to see what happens too.

[tara05]

I have some that I soaked overnight. I am hoping they will like it. It's a high source of calcium last I read, so if they would eat it along with the other sources, that would be great.

[tara05]

Ok, so I soaked a small block for 2 days, and gave it to them last night. Reggie gave it 2 eye stalks up, and Smokey gave it 2 eye stalks down Reggie ate a bit, sucked up the 'juice', then continued on to the cucumber and pork & apple stew. Smokey didn't seem to eat much until I left the room :/

[Deleted]

what is alphalfa anyway?

[section8angel]

It's hay.

Tara, it's on the list of edible foods for snails, but it is good to know someone has actually fed it lol.
Here's the list btw: petsnails.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=habitat&action=display&n=1&thread=4756

Underneath the toxic ones there's a list of non toxic then edible. Alphalfa is on the edible list.
I think that list needs editing so the Toxic, non toxic and edible "titles" are bigger lol. But that's just me

[ceiron]

alphalfa is a hay, tis quite fattening and stuff though

not that it shoudl matter with snails.lol

[Deleted]

hay? isnt it a bit tough for them to eat?

[sezzy5889]

It's small hay peices with this green powdery stuff mixed in, it goes quite mushy when you mix water with it, they feed it to rodents and rabbits if they lose lts of weight.

[Deleted]

mmm sounds tasty i want some

[sophie]

hahahaha, and u think im weird

[tara05]

Sian, thank you for posting that link I didn't know it was there >.< Now I wonder if I should rip out the ivy plants in my tank (not knowing what kind they are, and also knowing they don't go near them, only the polka dot plants).

I soaked my alphalfa in warm water for 2 days (since this stuff was still semi-firm after one day). I do know it has a high calcium content, and that's why not to feed it to guinea pigs. Maybe the snails get some use out of it? Hope so

[section8angel]

No problem. As for the Ivy, I think someone else on here has ivy in their tank and the snails stay away from it. Can't remember though lol.

It's up to you whether you feel safe that they would stay away from it or not. There's lots of safe plants though so you should be able to replace the ivy easily.

[snailywaily]

Anyone know if you can feed any other horse-type feed to snails?

I have Alfa A Oil (added soya oil to the alfalfa) - Can I feed this???

For the horses I also have plenty of mix (barley, oats, peas, maize, nuts etc.) and Barley C's (very fine crushed barley made into C shapes but can be soaked into a mush) and Alfa Beet (Alfalfa and sugar beet) - but I assume this isnt safe to feed snails since although obviously it would be soaked (or it expands in their stomach......) there is a chance it could still expand thus killing them?