Too small???

[cypher]

The food wouldn't go to waste if you feed the correct amount, they should take it away & hide it then eat it over the three days, that is unless they pee on their stash!

Feeding what they get in the pet store isn't always the best way to go, make changes gradually sure but aim for the best food not what they're used to or seem to prefer necessarily.

It does take a bit of tough love I know but oxbow & seed mix type food together can work well & if you don't top up the bowl they'll eat it.

[WinnieTheHam]

Just give about 2 tablespoons and leave it for 2-3 days. If you notice it all gone then put another 2 tablespoons in and repeat the process. Some people put a different amount in, but I stick with two tablespoons. Younger hamsters tend to need refilling more often.

It's okay to change to a different feed. The best way to do this is to mix the new feed in with the old feed, and then gradually give more and more of the new feed until you're just feeding the new one.

I think feeding Veg varies with everyone really I find my hams don't eat much of their complete mix if I feed veg every day.

[cypher]

For dwarfs one & a half to two teaspoons is generally enough per day so that's about three teaspoons for two days or four & a half for three days.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Ok I think I'll go with feeding every 2-3 days then. I'm still confused if I should take a hammer and cut that Mazuri down into little pieces or just take one lab block and break it in half for 2-3 days?

I heard people break it down into little pieces but the hammie is still going to eat what it wants to eat so if I take a pellet and break it in half for 2-3 days that should be fine. If they get hungry enough, they'll eat it. Then I'll have a pretty much empty food bowl and they'll be getting their nutritional content.

I'll do an experiment by keeping 3 hammies on Kay-tee and 3 on Mazuri & seeds and then check their weight regularly.

I bought Cole Slaw mix, just plain cut up cabbage and they loved that, it was all gone in the morning!
They like other veggies too but cabbage was definitely a good thing!

[Cinnamon Bear]

I re-read through the thread and I now hear you saying that feeding them what they are used to in the pet store (Kaytee blocks) isn't necessarily the best option?

You say to go with the best nutritional value. So I'll do this gradually until I find the best balanced died for them. I don't prefer Oxbow, it's going to be either Kaytee or Mazuri? Just a personal preference

Not only that but I have year supply of food in my freezer! Not Oxbow either! I was on another forum before here and the consensus was different concerning Oxbow, otherwise I'd probably have a year supply of Oxbow? btw: I have a year supply of Carefresh too! Sale prices!

[WinnieTheHam]

What are the Protein, Fat and Fibre content for each of those foods you're wanting to give?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Lab Block choice:
Mazuri Rat & Mouse (same as hammie, just discontinued it)
Protein 23 % Fat 6.5% Fiber 4.5%
Moisture 12% Ash 8% Vitamin E 50 IU/kg

Kaytee Forti Diet (Pet-Co lab blocks)
Protein 20 % Fat 4 % Fiber 7 %
Moisture 12 % Omega 3 Fatty Acids .4%
Total Bacillus Species 1000,000 CFU/g

Seed Mixes:
Higgins Sunburst (Pet-Co)
Protein 14% Fat 7% Fiber 9.5%
Moisture 11.5% Vitamin A Min 8,000 UI/kg
A huge list of ingredients...

Vita Kraft Vita Smart (Pet Smart)
Protein 16 % Fat 3% Fiber 10%
Moisture 12 % Calcium .3% Phosphorus .3%
Vitamin A, D & E &C
Omega Fatty Acids .4% Docosahexoenoic Acid .4%
lactic acid bacteria 90,000CFU/g
(L Acidophilus, L Casel, E. Faecium, B. Bilidum, A. Oryzae

[WinnieTheHam]

Okay I recommend doing a 50/50 mix of Vita Kraft Vita smart and Mazuri mix. So if you weigh out for example 50 grams of each to make a 100g mix all together and then use that to feed them. It will make the Protein, Fat and Fibre better for your hams.

It will be:
Protein: 19.5%
Fat: 4.75%
Fiber: 7.25%

You could add a couple of sunflower seeds to give a little extra fat, or mealworms. But mixing those two would make a more balanced diet for them.

EDIT:
Oh wait, I just realised the first ones are lab blocks. It might help to weigh out the food when you feed it. Or give two teaspoon sizes of the lab blocks (break bits off and measure to a teaspoon) and two teaspoons of the seed mix which equals 4 teaspoons on average, to last 3 days.

If possible try break into smaller size so you can mix it into the 2 teaspoon of seed mix that you're feeding because it will possibly encourage your hams to eat all of it instead of just the seed mix, or just the lab block.

[Cinnamon Bear]

What if I mixed the Higgins Sunburst and Vita Smart together (as the seed mix?)
Or would that throw the nutritional value off?

Also, with Pet-Co feeding their small pets only Kaytee Forti Diet lab blocks & cabbage
is that lacking?

[Cinnamon Bear]

How do I break down the lab blocks (Mazuri)? When I mix it together?

Edit: I see you edited this answer above

Thank you!