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Post by shrimply on Feb 10, 2006 11:05:14 GMT -8
My gerbils have always had gerbil food but I recently ran out and was completely broke. I had a hamster die not that long ago so had some of his food left and I have been using it up. It really is amazing how quickly they get fat. I mean I would have thought it was a normal size if I hadn't hed them on gerbil food before.
So if you are feeding your gerbil hamster food I advise that you put them onto gerbil food even if you don't think they are fat. I guarentee you will see the difference.
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Post by ashgerbil on Feb 10, 2006 11:49:28 GMT -8
Gosh! how interesting shrimply! i guess you may get overweight gerbils if you feed them on a food mix that's formualted for both gerbils and hamsters then, such as Wagg mebbe
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Post by pepandmax on Feb 12, 2006 20:19:36 GMT -8
What was in the hamster food? How was it different from their usual food?
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Post by mice on Feb 13, 2006 9:26:21 GMT -8
I noticed a big difference in my boys when I changed their food. Originally they were on Waag as it was the only food we could get and my boys would basically just pick out the sunflower seeds and maybe a couple of biscuits and just leave the rest, they'd also spend a lot of time sleeping.
Our local pet shop then started selling Gerri so we put them on that instead and I noticed the difference immediately, they were actually eating everything which means our food bill has gone up a bit but they're so much healthy for it! Their eyes are brighter, their fur is brighter and they've put on a bit of weight (and they needed too), they're also far more active.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 13, 2006 12:32:21 GMT -8
Gerri is brilliant. One warning it is low in calcium so it's worth mixing another feed in now and again.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 15, 2006 21:37:26 GMT -8
You guys actually have "gerbil" food over there? All of our stuff is "Hamster/Gerbil" food. I mix my own however, and I even add a little dog food, and some rat/mouse food and rice krispy cereal, and rice. none of mine are fat.
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caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Feb 16, 2006 3:14:09 GMT -8
Yep, we do! Maybe only 2-3 to chose from but they are specifically made for gerbs ;D LOL Caroline
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Post by whitmoregirl on Feb 16, 2006 3:36:19 GMT -8
You don't have gerbil food in America? Blimey... We have Gerri Gerbil, and a few others (I get another one to mix in with Gerri but I can't remember the name... think it's just mice and gerbil food o.0)
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 16, 2006 22:15:32 GMT -8
Well, we do have Gerri Gerbil... and that entire line (Charlie Chinchilla, Hazel Hamster.......) but that's the ONLY one. (that I can think of) I always thought it was funny that it was the only gerbil food and all of the others were "Hamster/Gerbil" food. But the Gerri Gerbil food line is kind of expensice. Like $5 for 2 pound (what ever that conversion is) Now... I do get Kaytee Exact Hamster/Gerbil food and it is quite comparable... but I mix it with a 20pound bag of Hamster/Gerbil seed BUT.... when you're feeding 28 gerbils, then you impravise! LIke, I add kitty food, and I just added some dog food because I was out of cat food.... and some rice krispy cereal and rice. But none of my dudes are fat. Maybe it could be that I only feed them every few days? This way they actually have to eat the alfalfa pellets on the last day or two if they don't want to go hungry??
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 16, 2006 23:54:36 GMT -8
I give around 20g per gerbil of Gerri mixed with Rasperry hamster supreme to which I add other stuff like whole grains and rolled oats. I feed them every two days. By measuring the amount I prevent overfeeding (I do vary it according to colony/individual needs). Preventing overfeeding means the gerils have to eat almost everything. This is not just economival but more importantly ensures they get a balanced diet. If they only eat part of what they are given they are eating selectively and will not be getting the correct balance of nurtients.
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Post by ashgerbil on Feb 17, 2006 2:57:29 GMT -8
lol, ash always selective feeds, he just grabs the pumpkin seeds and runs to the nearest corner and then returns for the biscuits later i feed my gerbs 10g of gerri gerbil per day, the baby boys get slightly less because they're smaller and the big boys get slightly less because they're on a diet (which is NOT working!!!) lol ;D they do eat all of their food though, so i'm happy with that ;D
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Post by gerbilroo on Feb 17, 2006 5:44:17 GMT -8
mine have 2/3 gerri gerbil, and 1/3 harry hamster for the sunny seeds!
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 17, 2006 21:25:13 GMT -8
I don't measure to that extent. If one gerbil eats about 1 table spoon of food in one day, then 4 tablespoods fit in my scoop... then my scoop of food will last my girls each for 1 day, and my groups for 2 days... and my singles for 4 days.... I have no idea how much that weighs. AND I keep track of the cages that have dishes. When those are empty (just a few alfalfa pellets left) then it's time to feed everybody again. You're right Doom... that's why I feed every few days... and like right now I'm holding off on feeding one clan for another day because they still have a bunch of alfalfa pellets left in their dish.
Funny how Ash picks the "biscuits" last. Do all your gerbils do that? Like I said, I feed Kaytee Exact in my food, and it looks like colored cat kibble. Mine LOVE it. It's the first thing that the babies try to eat too!
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 18, 2006 1:13:21 GMT -8
I use a half pint glass marked with quantities equivalent to weights, this way I only had to get the scales out once!!! It would take forever to individually measure for 28 cages!
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Post by LasVegasNo1 on Feb 20, 2006 13:03:53 GMT -8
Interesting topic I feed my Gerbils 'Wagg' because it's the only brand I can buy in bulk (16kg bags). I feed just enough each day so that only a tiny amount is left in the bowl, this way I know they are eating a selection of food, not just picking out the goodies! lol They were originally on P@H Gerbil mix but it was working out too expensive - why don't they sell in bulk?? Two of my three eldest male Gerbils ballooned in weight before Chrsitmas, however since changing their food to Wagg their weight gain has stopped, but not gone down!! lol ... they are now on a diet
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