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Old 12-28-2015, 08:45 PM   #1
Jenibelle
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Default Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

Amazon.com: GREAT GIFT! - 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC NON-GMO Culinary Herb Set - 12 popular Easy-to-Grow Herb Seeds by Zziggysgal: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Also, which ones (if any) are safe BUT hamsters aren't likely to want to eat them? I want live plants in the tank but at the same time, I would love to not have to replant often haha.

The herbs included are;
Thyme - research says safe, but I want to double make sure!
Chives - Mixed reviews!
Cilantro - can't find information.
Summer Savory - can't find information.
Culinary Sage - research says yes, but I want to double make sure!
Dill Bouquet - research says yes, but I want to double make sure!
Garlic Chives (I assume no, because garlic is bad, yes?)
Italian Parsley - research says yes, but I want to double make sure!
Mustard Leaves - I think yes?
Oregano - research says yes, but I want to double make sure!
Sweet Marjoram - can't find information
Sweet Basil - research says yes, but I want to double make sure!

Last edited by Jenibelle; 12-28-2015 at 09:06 PM.
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:12 PM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

Thyme should be ok but only in very small amounts, it's sometimes used if a ham has a cold, chives & garlic chives are onion family so definitely no, mustard leaves no, I could be wrong but I think Cilantro is rocket? if it is that's ok in small amounts, sage, dill, basil & marjoram should be fine, parsley is generally ok, not sure what Italian parsley is exactly but I'm pretty sure all parsley is fine, not sure about summer savoury is I think quite similar to thyme so ok but both have quite strong medicinal properties so again only tiny amounts.
Most likely to be eaten are probably basil & parsley.
How are you planning to grow them in the tank?
It's a nice idea but doesn't often work well, plants need plenty of light, water & something to grow in with nutrients you probably won't want your ham to eat. Plants in a tank can cause damp & condensation build up which could lead to mould in there, not nice!
I find it best to grow things on the window sill or somewhere light & airy & just put them in the cage for short supervised periods & generally only give "weed" that don't need fertilised compost to be safe.
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:31 PM   #3
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

I was going to grow them in their own little ceramic pots, with organic soil.

What "weeds" are you suggestion? I would be happy with anything green TBH
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Old 12-28-2015, 11:29 PM   #4
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

I use this mix if you scroll down you can see the list of ham safe wild plants included.
If you grow your plants in soil your hams will probably have great fun digging in the pots so don't expect any plants to last long!
You can also just plant some hamster food! Sunflower seeds sprout really quickly, millet is a bit slow but often use in German cages, various other ham safe seeds can be grown too. I still wouldn't recommend keeping them in the tank full time though.

ETA another reason for not keeping the plants in the tank that I forgot to mention is that although plants release oxygen into the atmosphere during the day they release carbon dioxide at night so you would have higher levels of carbon dioxide in the tank when your ham is most active, not a huge amount but not particularly healthy.
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Last edited by cypher; 12-28-2015 at 11:57 PM.
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Old 12-29-2015, 03:07 AM   #5
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

Cilantro is coriander, I'm not 100% sure on safety but it's not rocket. You're thinking of arugula cypher

Have you considered cat grass? That's the thing I see people wanting to plant most often. I personally think live plants look like more work than they're worth, with the moisture and extra water and especially considering the mess Cc manages to make just with hemp and carefresh, I think if I gave her soil as well her tank would look like a swamp in minutes. Keep us updated though if you can get it to work for you!
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Old 12-29-2015, 04:07 AM   #6
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

I thought I was getting confused somewhere lol!
Coriander is ok, not sure if they'd eat it but it is safe.
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Old 12-29-2015, 06:19 AM   #7
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
I use this mix if you scroll down you can see the list of ham safe wild plants included.
I've literally just ordered some of that grow your own food although I ordered the smaller quantity in case it's something else that Madam doesn't like.
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Old 12-29-2015, 07:28 AM   #8
Jenibelle
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

I've read coriander is on a safe foods list somewhere! Not sure which, I looked at quite a lot last night XD

That mix and grasses look cool! And easy! I will look into that "millet" stuff too.
I'm confused on how these things would be different than the herbs though? Excuse me if this is a ridiculously silly question, but they would still need soil to grow in, correct?

Is grass safer than plants carbon dioxide wise?
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Old 12-29-2015, 07:44 AM   #9
cypher
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

They all need soil to grow into decent sized plants, I have grown that mix on damp paper so it's a bit like cress & they loved it like that but it would only last a few days.
Unless you put your tank in bright sunlight which you wouldn't want to do nothing will grow into a decent size plant really though.
I don't know for sure but would imagine the larger the surface area of a leaf the more carbon dioxide so grass might be better.
I can see where you're coming from with this, plants in the cage/tank is a lovely idea but really problematic.

Fluffagrams I hope May enjoys her weeds (& James too of course). It's always gone down well with mine.
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Old 12-29-2015, 08:00 AM   #10
Jenibelle
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Default Re: Are any of these herbs hamster safe?

Are there any fake plants that are safe to put in the tank? All of my inspiration tanks have plants in them, so there has to be a way they made it work. Unless they possibly only put them in for pictures? Or unless they don't know it's not safe.
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