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Old 10-26-2014, 09:55 AM   #1
Mashiro
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Default Mixed Food vs. Block Food?

What are the pros and cons of each? Which do you prefer?
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Old 10-26-2014, 10:48 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Mixed Food vs. Block Food?

The benefit of block feed is that if you're worried about selective feeding you know your ham is getting everything it needs & not picking & choosing, that is if your ham will eat them, some will but a lot of hams don't like them.
Mixed feed is more natural as hams are foragers, it gives them more interest & variety, especially if you scatter feed, chewing the seeds in the mix is good for their teeth too.
Which ever way you choose to go quality is the most important thing so best to check the ingredients & analysis of any food.
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Old 10-26-2014, 10:59 AM   #3
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Default Re: Mixed Food vs. Block Food?

Personally, I use mixed feed. I have had picky eaters but I don't feed the hamsters every day, since they store it all, so they can't just eat their favourites. It's always good to add extras to a hamster's diet anyway - such as fresh veg or pieces of chicken, egg, and more. This helps to give them what they need out of a diet.

It's always best to check the food you feed - for example, getting a food that is as close to 19% protein as well as certain percentages on fat and fibre are key so you know your hamster is getting what it needs out of a mixture.

Some hamsters may get a bit bored if you only feed them one feed, but this can also be helped by adding in other things to a hamster's diet so they have some variety.
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Old 10-26-2014, 11:10 AM   #4
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Default Re: Mixed Food vs. Block Food?

I give my hams both mixed feed and a couple of complete block diets. The extrusion I've found they like most is from Living World but I also give them Harringtons. Their mix I scatter in their bedding so they can forage.
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Old 10-26-2014, 12:30 PM   #5
RedSky
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Default Re: Mixed Food vs. Block Food?

I feed the mixed seed food to all my hamsters (and my gerbil too) but they also get some pellet food (science selective). The pellet food is favoured by my Syrian but the others will nibble at it so just get a piece or two a week to replace the older bits that have been left over.

I personally wont feed just pellets to hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs I would quite happily (although the most of their diet should be hay) but I think hamsters need the variety and I like to scatter feed to keep them entertained and give them something to do.

Pellet food however is easier to make sure they are eating a balanced diet (or as balanced as the food company can get it), and also easier to crush up and mix with water or baby food for an poorly hamsters. If they are used to the food chances are they will be much more likely to eat it. This is why I bought pelleted but mine weren't used to eating it.
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