Millet Spray

Jaybee · 11-07-2011, 12:48 AM

I've noticed millet spray in a lot of peoples cages, and recently I found it at the pet store (in the bird aisle! Duh! I don't know why I didn't look there!). What is this exactly? Is it a treat? Something I should feed regularly? Is it good for them in any way? Thanks~

Demecat · 11-07-2011, 05:21 AM

Millet is a type of seed. It is fattening so should only be fed as a treat unless you're trying to boost the weight of a hamster that had lost weight due to an ilness.

It is one of the few treats Dwarfs can have because it isn't full of sugars. Dwarfs tend to prefer it more than syrians.

cutehammies · 11-07-2011, 05:28 AM

I love millet (for my hammies, not me personally!) because it provides enrichment for them nibbling on it (I stick mine in upright so they have to reach for it and climb up things to get it) and the German hamster owners seem to use a lot of what they call 'adventure food' which looks fabulous and really natural, which is millet, and other similar dried seeds which I dont know the name of!

Teddybearhamster420 · 11-07-2011, 08:11 AM

Joe hates it.

lisab · 11-07-2011, 08:23 AM

Both my dwarfs and syrians love millet. they get one bit every week as a treat

Jaybee · 11-07-2011, 01:16 PM

I think I'll try to get some after this next check, thanks!

**Hamtastic** · 11-07-2011, 01:34 PM

Millet is a grain, sort of like wheat. It can be purchased as loose grain in stores like Whole Foods and also on branches (sprays) that it grows in bird supply isles in many different stores. Hams seem to love it pretty universally. Here's nutritional information for it:
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Millet, raw

It's a great source of Omega-6 and is fairly high in protein. It's a whole grain, so it's got good fiber and complex carbs. Don't think it has any sugars in it. Not sure why it would be fattening, as one of the comments above notes. From what I've read, people seem to give one spray (stalk) a month or so. The sprays can be pretty long! Can get 6 for $3, or even better deals.

Jaybee · 11-07-2011, 01:36 PM

I feel like if I put a whole "stick" in there, they would just go after it and eat it all/stash it all in one day~

**Hamtastic** · 11-07-2011, 01:37 PM

Well, it's not exactly bad anyway. Even if they do eat a bunch on the first day. I haven't found it to be the case with any hams though. I thought Lucy was doing exactly that at first, but she's actually just a mad stasher, so she simply peeled all the seeds off the stalk and stashed them into her house, eating only some percent. I've cut long stalks in half for my hams.

Jaybee · 11-07-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

Well, it's not exactly bad anyway. Even if they do eat a bunch on the first day. I haven't found it to be the case with any hams though. I thought Lucy was doing exactly that at first, but she's actually just a mad stasher, so she simply peeled all the seeds off the stalk and stashed them into her house, eating only some percent. I've cut long stalks in half for my hams.

I'll just have to watch them and make sure

I think Periwinkle would grab it all and stash it, too. A few weeks ago when it was rainy, she decided to move food from one stash to another, and I caught her in the middle of transport. Both of her cheeks were stuffed completely full. I had never seen her like that and I freaked thinking her upper body was swollen from something. lol