Best Syrian diet

[chesca_27]

I think we're gonna have to accept that every mix has its pros and cons which make it ideal for different hams (diabetic etc). I still believe that homemade is best, if you are able to put the time and effort into making one.

[Pebbles82]

I agree - I really wanted to do a homemade organic mix - had it all worked out - but life got in the way. It's something that does need working out very carefully though, which I know you've done Chesca

[Drago]

Originally Posted by Hekomi

I'll do some emailing when I have some time off!

My issue with Hazel was how simply processed it was (not a fan of coloured nuggets really) and just that it lacked in variety.

I use a homemade mix myself with lab blocks. I use Higgins Sunburst right now for our older hams though I plan to make a specific older hamster mix for them.

I get what you mean with dyed bits, it's a pet peeve of mine! What would you recommend for a homemade mix? I have my hams on hazel hamster currently, but is there a better choice I've been missing? I've always been iffy on the idea of feeding homemade/seed mixes simply due to the fact that I never knew how to properly balance all the nutrients and I never had the time to go through the process!

[chesca_27]

Yeah, but like I said, Cypher helped quite a bit! To be honest I just sat down, worked out all the potential ingredients I could use, searched for the nutritional information and then tweaked the amounts of each in Microsoft Excel until I was happy. Then I ordered it from Mixerama. They have a huge range of high quality ingredients. It is expensive, but worth it.

It probably took me a few hours over two or three days. Weekends are a good time to do it.

[Drago]

Thank you all for the input! I suppose it might be time for my food recommendations to change, and for me to put my hamsters on a higher quality diet. Time to go out and research any extra tips on homemade mixes would be appreciated (though I do have one made for my gerbils)

[Hekomi]

Yeah I'm not chuffed with Versele. I have adopters mix it with Sunseed Critter Cubes.

Drago; you're welcome to contact me privately and I can help you out a bit more. I have some recipes I don't mind sharing privately and when used correctly.

[AmityvilleHams]

I think everyone is going to have an opinion on any food you use!However,I'd still say that Harry/Hazel is completely fine to use.I'd certainly rather see someone feeding that than butchering homemade food,or feeding junk like Kaytee or Ecotrition or any of the horrible foods from Walmart for example.No food is perfect though,and even homemade food will have its own individual drawbacks,so I don't see a relatively minor imperfection as being a reason to never feed a food.

[cypher]

I think home made is best too, I never much liked commercial mixes & my hams fed on home made are the healthiest I've had.
Hekomi is best placed to help you out though Drago as she knows what you can & can't get as well as having the experience.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I think everyone is going to have an opinion on any food you use!However,I'd still say that Harry/Hazel is completely fine to use.I'd certainly rather see someone feeding that than butchering homemade food,or feeding junk like Kaytee or Ecotrition or any of the horrible foods from Walmart for example.No food is perfect though,and even homemade food will have its own individual drawbacks,so I don't see a relatively minor imperfection as being a reason to never feed a food.

I agree It's a good basic food, has all the basic requirements and no sugar. Plus Syrians generally like it and eat all of it. I am sure there are better, but much better than the junky ones!

I'd like to know about your mix too Hekomi! I do have a "recipe" but another one could be good too.

[ladyntramp002]

I saw this and I was wondering. What would be a good probiotic food that doesn't have any fruit in it.

I do have Higgins Sunburst, but unfortunately it has fruit inside the mix. Kilian has a really sensitive stomach and can't eat fruit.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.