8 replies to this topic

[Star Lollipop]

I've been reading lately that picking out corn is not recommended, since it messed with the nutritional value. But from what I understand, it doesn't have any (at least for a hamster) and is just a cheap filler. Does it have nutrition, but is also a cheap filler?

[♥Hamsterloveandtlc♥]

It is a filler and it has little nutrition (not like the corn we eat). It balances out the mix though. I think Taxonomist made a topic about corn awhile ago. I can't find it though.

Edited by ♥Hamsterloveandtlc♥, 22 December 2013 - 05:06 PM.

[nebit]

Suppose i offer you one cup of chicken mixed with corn, OR one cup of chicken. Because the chicken is mixed with corn in the one, you are getting less chicken. BUT that isn't always a bad thing.

 

We want protein levels at about 20% for hamsters. So, if the chicken mixed with corn is 20%, but straight chicken is 50%, you see how the corn is beneficial? It makes the food less rich, while still filling.

 

By picking out the corn, you make the same AMOUNT of food, completely different in composition and nutritional value. For humans, that probably has little effect. For hamsters though, when you start removing things from the mix, you are essentially altering it in the same way. The mix is nutritionally composed WITH the corn in it. By removing the corn, you are completely changing the balance of the food, and since it is much more complicated than the 2 ingredient idea posted above, you may throw it off in unexpected and unhealthy ways. There is no reason to remove it in a properly balanced mix, and you may do harm by doing so.

 

I should also add, that I see people advocating picking ALL SORTS of stuff out of mixes- sunflower seeds because they think they are fatty, peanuts, peas because they think they are sugary, etc. ALL of those things have the potential to really throw off a mix. Peas, are first NOT sugary. And contain protein. Removing them, may negatively effect protein levels. Sunflower seeds are contributing to the overall fat and protein levels of the mix- taking them out may well alter those levels unfavorably as well. Same with peanuts. If those items were fed IN EXCESS, yes, it would be bad But the companies have added them as PART OF A BALANCED MIX. And the mix is not complete, without all of its components. If say, the primary fat source in the food is from peanuts and sunflower seeds, and you pick them all out, that food is now seriously unbalanced.

 

Corn, I think it more the opposite problem, although it may add to fiber levels. With corn, I see the problem being, it is there to balance out the ix, and keep the protein and fat levels in check, not dangerously high. By removing it, you may be making the food dangerously rich. Corn is also sometimes used to inflate protein levels, and so depending on the method used, it is also possible without it, your protein levels drop.The truth is, we don't know what happens when you remove stuff, besides that it does throw of the analysis. If the food is balanced to start with, there is no reason to remove anything from it.

[nebit]

It is a filler and it has little nutrition (not like the corn we eat). It balances out the mix though. I think Taxonomist made a topic about corn awhile ago. I can't find it though.

I found it!

 

Taxonomist's post on corn is here- http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/76159-project-questioning-conventional-diet-recommendations/?p=684074

 

ETA- Taxonomist addresses the issue on whether to pick out corn a bit more recently in her post here- http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/80915-i-have-a-question/?p=771855

Edited by nebit, 22 December 2013 - 06:17 PM.

[Star Lollipop]

Oh, thank you! I didn't realize it actually had a purpose, and I was always told it was sugary and just plain useless in a hamster mix.

[Jubsz]

I usually don't feed my hamster corn. In my country, the biggest part of our corn is transgenic and poorly kept, so it's very easy to find fungus inside them. :( Now I feel like I should replace it with something of the same nutritional value.

[krazykelly]

Corn isn't bad but I will pick apart my hamster food mixes and separate the different ingredients. This way I feed the same amount each time and I can keep track of what she is getting. So many times I've taken a scoop and there's been 50 corn kernels and nothing else (exaggerated yes lol).

My hamster tends to not eat the corn though...so idk :/

[nebit]

I usually don't feed my hamster corn. In my country, the biggest part of our corn is transgenic and poorly kept, so it's very easy to find fungus inside them. :( Now I feel like I should replace it with something of the same nutritional value.

Are your hamster mixes Brazilian brands, or the brands we talk about on here (Like Hazel hamster, Burgess, Veresele-laga etc)? If they are big, worldwide brands, chances are HIGH that the corn is not from your native country, as they manufacture those elsewhere and then ship it around the globe.

[Jubsz]

No, unfortunately they're Brazilian brands, and it's very frustrating that we have very few healthy options for our hamsters. I've been considering making my own mix. It would be kinda expensive, but at least safe for my ham.