Are too many black seeds bad for my winter whites??

philischo · 09-03-2010, 11:39 AM

Ok, so i've been feeding my two winter whites a normal mix bought from asda, they're about 12weeks old and as far as i know, how been on the same food since they were younger, BUT i've found in the mix there are several types....the small black seeds, the flakey bits, and the bits that look rather dry.
I've found that my hamsters NEVER eat the dry stuff, and when i put new food in they both dive straight in to get the black seeds, the only eat the flakey ones when they dont get anything else.
Soooo, if i were to buy just the black seeds in, would it be bad feeding them just these, it's just that's all they seem to like!

souffle · 09-03-2010, 12:13 PM

Though you don't see them eat the other bits they probably do. Hamsters instinctively eat a balanced diet. I think the black seeds are likely the black sunflower seeds which hammies do love. It is not a good idea to just feed these as they are oily and do not provide the balanced diet your hammies need.
It is best to feed a good sized bowl every 3rd day as this makes them eat a balanced diet rather than just the 'puddings' every day!
It may be worth trying another mix such as Harry Hamster to see what they think? Introduce it gradually. As long as they as growing well and are active and glossy they will be eating properly

Welcome to the forum.

philischo · 09-03-2010, 12:45 PM

Ahhh thanks!! yehh i was worried if i just gave them those it may make them tubby and not be good for them! as you quite accurately put it,"the puddings" lol makes a lot of sense! i've been reading a few posts and it sounds like this "harry hamster" is very popular so i'll look into getting some of that.
They're definitely growing well, although one is MUCH lazier than the other, so i was more worried about his health than the other one.
I was also worried if i only fed them once every few days, that it may affect they're temperament if they wern't getting the food they liked,as in it could make them 'moody'

souffle · 09-03-2010, 01:11 PM

No it wont affect their temperament at all. They don't have 'human' emotions! When in the wild they take what they can find in foraging. Give them things like a little cooked pasta or a bit of cheese or chicken as treats. They like dried mealworms too

starrylight99 · 09-03-2010, 01:40 PM

Like Souffle said, seeds are high in fat and oils and should be given either as treats, or in addition to a balanced pellet diet.

I also leave the food in for 2 or 3 days, they don't seem to mind and they do end up eating a fair amount of it as time goes on.

I have a young pair of dwarfs too, and what I've started doing is each time I buy a new bag of food (Hazel Hamster, which I believe is the USA equivalent of Harry Hamster), I dump it into an empty container, and sift out all the sunflower and pumpkin seeds and peanuts. I set these aside and give them only as treats by hand. They still get one or two sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds a day, but this way they have learned that they only get the really delicious foods from me. It has really helped with bonding and taming.

fluffymunchkins · 09-03-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

No it wont affect their temperament at all. They don't have 'human' emotions! When in the wild they take what they can find in foraging. Give them things like a little cooked pasta or a bit of cheese or chicken as treats. They like dried mealworms too

pfffft don't have human emotions, you haven't seen my lot pull a moody strop on me

Anyway i think souffle has covered everything

Harry hamster has a low content of sunflower seeds compared to other brands which is good and they will enjoy healthy treats much more than commercial ones.
Like pasta, veg, millet seed and milky weetabix!

**Hope** · 09-03-2010, 02:27 PM

I can vouch for the mealworms!! My dwarfie loves them!