Post by bluedove on Mar 25, 2009 2:42:43 GMT -5
I've been browsing through various breeding threads looking for ideas and info... and I noticed that it's a pretty common practice to list what you are feeding your bred rodents.
I also noticed that many people are feeding a wide variety of processed cereal products to their rodents... and I just thought I would pass on a bit of info of my own.
We all want to feed our beloved carnivores the best, most natural, species appropriate diet possible, right? That's why we've undertaken this chore of raising food for them. Well, the best way we do that is by also feeding the best, most natural, species appropriate diet to their prey!
To help illustrate this idea, think of the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef. It's true that cattle gain substantial weight (which seems more appealing) on grain... but the truth is that cattle are designed/evolved to eat GRASS. Grass fed beef is lower in saturated fat and calories. It has a higher ratio of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. There are more nutrients overall.
And the comparison doesn't end with how much BETTER grass fed beef is for us... grain-fed beef may actually have NEGATIVE effects on our physiology. It seems to speed up the aging process by introducing more free-radicals into the system and causes systemic inflammation that contributes to all sorts of health problems.
And just as cows were not designed/evolved to eat grain, nor were rodents designed/evolved to eat refined, processed cereal products. In their wild environment, they eat grass, roots, seeds, grains, legumes, nuts, insects... you get the idea.
You want the food to be as close to it's natural living state as possible. Cheerios are a far cry from whole oat groats. Better than cheerios would be dry oatmeal but better than oatmeal would be whole oats. Better than rice krispies would be puffed rice, but better than that would be whole grain brown or wild rice.
Corn flakes... well, personally I avoid corn where I can in all animal feed.
The diet I feed consists of dried timothy and alfalfa, seed mix including flax, oats, rice, dried beans/peas, and Living World Extrusion. Also offer her daily remnants of fruit and or veggies. This currently feeds our hamster, though it will also do for mice or rats with a few adjustments.
I hope this was helpful and not preachy and/or lecturing!
I also noticed that many people are feeding a wide variety of processed cereal products to their rodents... and I just thought I would pass on a bit of info of my own.
We all want to feed our beloved carnivores the best, most natural, species appropriate diet possible, right? That's why we've undertaken this chore of raising food for them. Well, the best way we do that is by also feeding the best, most natural, species appropriate diet to their prey!
To help illustrate this idea, think of the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef. It's true that cattle gain substantial weight (which seems more appealing) on grain... but the truth is that cattle are designed/evolved to eat GRASS. Grass fed beef is lower in saturated fat and calories. It has a higher ratio of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. There are more nutrients overall.
And the comparison doesn't end with how much BETTER grass fed beef is for us... grain-fed beef may actually have NEGATIVE effects on our physiology. It seems to speed up the aging process by introducing more free-radicals into the system and causes systemic inflammation that contributes to all sorts of health problems.
And just as cows were not designed/evolved to eat grain, nor were rodents designed/evolved to eat refined, processed cereal products. In their wild environment, they eat grass, roots, seeds, grains, legumes, nuts, insects... you get the idea.
You want the food to be as close to it's natural living state as possible. Cheerios are a far cry from whole oat groats. Better than cheerios would be dry oatmeal but better than oatmeal would be whole oats. Better than rice krispies would be puffed rice, but better than that would be whole grain brown or wild rice.
Corn flakes... well, personally I avoid corn where I can in all animal feed.
The diet I feed consists of dried timothy and alfalfa, seed mix including flax, oats, rice, dried beans/peas, and Living World Extrusion. Also offer her daily remnants of fruit and or veggies. This currently feeds our hamster, though it will also do for mice or rats with a few adjustments.
I hope this was helpful and not preachy and/or lecturing!