Duncan's thread

[AmityvilleHams]

You could try dairy alternatives as well,if they've only got hamster-safe ingredients(some add chocolate and such).If they don't get eaten(or drank,depending on which is considered proper)either you could always try and find a way to use them or try them yourself!

[Drago]

I'll definitely be sure to check those out

Duncan had a lovely Easter, he got a basket full of whimzees! He absolutely loves whimzees, and putting them in his wheel whilst running. Not sure how that doesn't trip him up, but he's an interesting little creature for sure


Tonight he was helping clean out Mila, my crested Gecko's tank


He seemed pretty photogenic tonight


He then of course (typical Dunc) lost interest and left in an attempt to leap off my bed

(Don't worry, he didn't get even a nibble of the plant )

In more exciting news, I will be starting the cage this weekend! My schedule has been crazy as of late so I haven't gotten around to it, but now I've put everything off in hopes of at least getting the base done. I'll make sure to share pictures of the process

[AprilPearl]

Duncan is very photogenic. By the way, what colour is he? It is lovely.

Aww maybe he just wanted to get your attention and was jealous of the gecko.
“Why are you paying attention to the scaley thing? Look at me - I can fly!!!”
Mushu has already had a close call almost strolling right off the edge of the sofa.

Can’t wait to see the cage.

[cypher]

Lovely photos of Duncan, he really is very photogenic
I often wonder how they don't knock themselves with some of the things they put in their wheels

[Hamsterita]

AWWW I have missed the photos of Duncan ignoring his milk LOL. I've never offer plain milk to Blacky, but I make my porridge with skimed milk and he likes it and doesn't look ill or upset when he eats it. The lactose intolerance in hamsters is a matter very discussed. Here Einführung in die Ernährung und Futterliste - Futter und Ernährung - www.das-hamsterforum.de they say that it's fine. I also found this study Voluntary lactose ingestion in gerbils, rats, mice, and golden hamsters That says that they can tolerate high amounts of lactose... so It's not something that I'd give as a regular basis but I don't think that a few ships every now and then it's going to make them any harm. Obviously a particular ham could suffer from intolerance, but as human can be too.

The last photos are lovely. He's a very handsome ham.

Keep us posted with the cage! I would like to see your progress and the final product of course

[AmityvilleHams]

Dairy is an extremely controversial thing.However,there is a point that could be made in terms of understanding that by no means is dairy natural for hamsters.If you absolutely must use dairy,I'd stick to goat's milk as it is generally safer than cow's milk,but it is by no means necessary and there are plenty healthier things to give that are not questionable.It's something you can avoid and still offer plenty healthy treats with,so at least to me it's a bit silly to even bother

[Thin Lizzy]

Aww Duncan looking mighty handsome. Glad he had a wonderful easter.

[Jennie F]

Aww Duncan is so cute. He looks like he has a little mohawk thing going on in the pic next to your gecko. He looks like he
is saying "Papa, why does this hamster look so strange?"

[BorisPasha]

Awww Duncan is looking super cute. I love that pic of him, with your Gecko. This is probably going to sound rude but I certainly don't mean it to, but your Gecko looks funny hanging upside down on the glass lol A bit like spiderman (or spiderwoman in Mila's case I guess ).

I wonder what they think of each other, would be interesting to know :P

[Drago]

Amityvillehams & Hamsterita
Thank you! I guess dairy really is such a controversial thing. I've spoken to a few people and breeders about it, and it appears to be a 50/50 split on opinions. Some think it's horrible and should never be fed, whilst others go the complete opposite way and think it's beneficial in moderation! I suppose it's better safe than sorry though, plus, his highness did NOT find it up to his standards

Cypher, Thin Lizzy, Jennie F, and BorisPasha
Duncan says thank you for all the compliments! He also wanted to share that his favorite part of Easter was keeping his slave up all night. I often wonder what my animals think of one another. Most of my animals live in one room, except for my dogs and one of my geckos, but I never introduce them anyways. I'm always worried about diseases, plus it's unnatural and highly stressful (though I will admit to showing Duncan all my geckos through their tanks). Something I do notice that I find very fascinating is what I call the "bottle chorus". Last night was an example of it! My rabbit began drinking from her bottle, then my gerbs soon followed, and lastly, Duncan began drinking too. Soon the whole room was filled with the ruckus of rodents (minus my bunny) drinking from bottles! Coincidence? Most likely, but it's still quite an intrigue to me. BorisPasha lol, Mila has loads of weird poses! Including many that seem super uncomfortable and awkward. Her sticky feet (though technically it's minuscule hairs and friction causing this) help her get into odd situations.

AprilPearl
Thank you, Duncan can absolutely NEVER have the attention off of him! Why would any other animals matter anyways? I'm actually really unsure of his coloration to be honest. My guess is a gray broken banded? I think this because when reading up on genetic things, it mentions that banded Syrians tend to have speckeled ears (which Dunc has) as well as cream mixed in their fur, which he also has. Though don't take my word for it, I'm not good with colors. I'd actually love to know what his coloration and pattern would be considered
Duncan asks, "How is Mushu settling in?"