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Old 03-26-2020, 10:49 AM   #1
Ollie Ollie
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Default Forage Feeding

Hi, y'all! I'm doing a lot of research right now into hamster care and I heard about forage feeding. (Instead of a bowl you just, scatter the food I think?) Does anyone here know how best to do that? And how often to feed? Do I have to feed over a certain substrate or does it not matter?
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Old 03-30-2020, 05:26 PM   #2
Kaycejones
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

Following, out of curiosity
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Old 03-30-2020, 06:02 PM   #3
Corbeens
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

I have basically stopped using food bowls, I literally just scatter the regular amount of food around the enclosure. For foraging enrichment you can also use things like millet sprays that encourage natural foraging behaviours. I don't think the substrate matters unless all of the food is being buried and isn't being found. Other people on HC have much more experience though, so just take the bits you like from people's answers and find a way that works best for you
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Old 03-31-2020, 12:33 AM   #4
peculiarplanets
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

I currently put half of the food in the bowl and scatter the other half. Whereas my Syrian would first empty her entire bowl, now some food gets left behind in the bowl. All the scattered food is usually gone, so I'm considering switching to scattering all the food.
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Old 03-31-2020, 04:07 AM   #5
Vierville
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaycejones View Post
Following, out of curiosity
Me too... I'd like to switch to forage feeding but mine are used to eating from a bowl so don't want to confuse them...
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Old 03-31-2020, 04:08 AM   #6
Vierville
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

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Originally Posted by peculiarplanets View Post
I currently put half of the food in the bowl and scatter the other half. Whereas my Syrian would first empty her entire bowl, now some food gets left behind in the bowl. All the scattered food is usually gone, so I'm considering switching to scattering all the food.
My hamsters never empty their bowls. They usually pick out the bits they like and leave what they don't.
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Old 03-31-2020, 05:36 AM   #7
peculiarplanets
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

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Originally Posted by Vierville View Post
My hamsters never empty their bowls. They usually pick out the bits they like and leave what they don't.
Jupiter usually eats everything. Sock so far has left food but not a specific type of food.
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Old 03-31-2020, 10:37 AM   #8
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

For Ollie Ollie's questions:
1. Yes, you just scatter the food. It doesn't only have to be on/in substrate - it can be on any sort of platform your cage setup provides too, such as the roofs of houses. I personally love Kaytee Terracotta Tunnels for this and feel that it has been one of the extreme few products they've made well(Kaytee typically is known for having very low quality products often with questionable at best safety). You can also scatter on the nooks and crannies safe woods(such as grape vine) provide, but there are many other great foraging examples - just be mindful of safety of materials and such, which can be advised on with any toy(DIY or storebought) if you ask on the forum!

2. There's no perfect method. Some people bury food in substrate, others scatter it on elevated surfaces, some combine, etc - there are an endless variety of choices which the individual hamster owner can choose from based on their personal preference, their hamster, and other factors.

3. I would just feed daily. Worst case scenario you give your hamster more ability to express another important natural behavior which we should always encourage - hoarding!

4. I don't think it really matters what the substrate is, provided you're using a safe and species appropriate substrate.

Now onto others as there are some very good things being said:
1. Corbeens mentions millet sprays(and hints at similar foods) - this is a good beginner foraging choice as it requires minimal effort on part of both the hamster and owner.

2. Vierville mentions not wanting to confuse hamsters that are used to eating from bowls. While this could be a concern for some hamsters, it isn't always a problem. Switching over 100% immediately isn't a good idea in a lot of cases, but most hamsters take to scatter feeding very fast and quite well. For Vierville(and others in similar situations), scattering a small portion of their daily diet would even be a step in the right direction. It doesn't have to be the most difficult or complicated method - these are equally beginner hamsters and in particular if any such hamsters have mobility issues etc then special consideration must be taken in regards to placement and foraging/scatter feeding strategy in general.

At the end of the day, foraging is an important natural behavior for any animal - captive or wild, common or "exotic". Some forage more, some forage less, sometimes it gets called different things. It's a great source of mental stimulation, overall enrichment, it reduces boredom, and many other wonderful things. While our captive hamsters may not have as extreme negative impacts of not foraging as other captive animals such as the wide variety of parrot species, it is still important to consider the mental and physical health benefits that foraging does offer for our hamsters!
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Old 04-01-2020, 02:47 PM   #9
sweetseas
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

I don't use a food bowl anymore. My hamster gets bored easily, so I think foraging challenges her to be more active. She seems to be eating and drinking. I do weekly weigh ins, so I am not concerned about her not getting enough even though foraging makes it harder to monitor her eating. It's also fun to watch her use her senses, especially her sense of smell to find the food.
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Old 04-02-2020, 04:27 AM   #10
Jadetooth
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Default Re: Forage Feeding

I'm currently only scatter feeding, 90% of the food is found although I don't see him doing it, I assume he has fun! It also proves to me he can climb onto objects I haven't seen him do - all the food is gone, he must have made it there!
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