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Post by lpn1993 on Dec 30, 2004 5:58:02 GMT -8
I've been feeding my gerbils 8 in 1 Wild Harvest hamster/gerbil food. It looks like a really good mixture. However, they don't eat the pellets or corn. I'm not that concerned about the corn, but how can I tell how much protein they're missing by not eating the pellets? The mixture originally had 16% protein and 7% fat. Out of a 4-lb. bag, the pellets accounted for about 1 1/2 lbs.
I bought some Kaytee c0ckatiel food last night. It has 13% protein and 8% fat. I mixed it half and half with the remaining gerbil food, to hopefully help balance things out. Does this sound ok?
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 30, 2004 6:05:26 GMT -8
I mix a good wild bird 1 lot of seed to two lots of gerri gerbil
You can also add a small qty of dried catfood if needed.
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Post by sweetie on Dec 30, 2004 17:47:01 GMT -8
It is hard to tell what percentage they are getting. I would say that as long as they are getting a good variety and the regular diet(bagged) is mixed with fresh it will be okay. For example: I feed mine fresh fruits or veggies 2-3 times a week with an extra protien source (crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms) once a week in addition to thier daily diet of seeds. I also give them sunflower seeds or pine nuts or *treats* daily. They will eat what they like but like kids, they won't starve themselves (lucky for us  ) |
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Post by lpn1993 on Dec 30, 2004 18:50:03 GMT -8
So far I haven't had any luck with getting my gerbils to eat fresh vegetables or fruits. Maybe they're just not used to them. What kinds do they usually like? I can't stand to touch bugs, so if they're offered any, my husband will have to do it!  I guess for now I'll just feed them the mixture I've made and see how they do on it. |
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 30, 2004 19:04:28 GMT -8
Broccoli is a big favourite
As for bugs, they love them but dry cat food is just as good
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Post by j on Dec 31, 2004 23:26:02 GMT -8
I've never seen a gerbil eat one of those green alfalfa pellets. If you want to feed alfalfa, buy a bag of alfalfa hay. (it's cheap..couple bucks)
Corn.. Most aren't crazy about the corn either. If you want them to eat corn.. just get a corn on the cobb. THey usually go nuts over it. ;D
I don't pay attention to percentages anymore. Its impossible to figure out or get exact unless you go crazy portioning their food everyday and counting seeds. There is no way to make sure each gerbil eats 1 of each. or even eats everything in the bag..etc. 1 gerb could would go crazy on the sunflower seeds (especially dominant gerbils) and the other will get stuck with the corn and pellets. ::)I just mix bags of food, nuts, seeds and other things in a container. Can't go wrong with variety. ;D
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 1, 2005 3:54:04 GMT -8
Alfalfa pellets put in the mixes are often the cheaper cuts (so I've been told) the
I have been advised that the pellets fed to horses are cut at the time of year that means they are made fromt e sweet alfalfa and gerbils enjoy them
I ahven't tried this but if anyone gets the chance I'd love to hear if it works!!
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Post by j on Jan 1, 2005 5:11:11 GMT -8
Speaking of alfalfa pellets. I dumped 2 dishes filled with them tonight. It's been collecting for like a month.  |
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Post by sweetie on Jan 1, 2005 14:10:38 GMT -8
Mine like carrots and broccoli. They also love apple and blueberry. Mine love crickets as I mentioned. I have a hard time doing the feeding so my son or my husband does that. It could be that they are not used to it. I also noticed that if I let them out to run around, the last thing they want to do is eat. I wait to introduce the food. I wait until they have run about and built up an appetite. |
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