Post by Katt on Sept 10, 2011 22:06:58 GMT -9
The Natural Mouse Diet
A combination of the Shunamite diet for rats and a from nature-sourced ingredient diet I have carefully formulated specifically for mice.
ALL ORGANIC INGREDIENTS*
*Exception of Nutritional Yeast Flakes (Brewer's Yeast, supplement, optional)
3 Cups Thick Rolled Oats
3 Cups Rolled Barley
1/2 Cup Brown/Wild Rice
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seeds
1 Cup Wheat Kernels (Red or whatever you can find, wheat berries or groats are good too for variety)
1/2 Cup Millet
1/2 Cup Golden Flax Seeds (Golden are more nutritious.)
1/4 Cup Brewer's Yeast (Nutritional Supplement)
1/4 Cup Amaranth (old-world grain)
1/4 Cup Buckwheat (old-world grain)
1/4 Cup Quinoa (old world grain)
1/4 Raw Cashew Pieces (or other inexpensive organic nuts, crushed)
Most of these ingredients can be purchased from bulk bins at natural food stores such as Whole Foods Market, or other local stores. Whenever possible obtain organic ingredients. I have not yet found a source of organic Brewer's Yeast (Nutritional Yeast Flakes) but this is an optional supplement.
It is imperative that in addition to a mix diet mice receive about 1 Tbsp. per mouse, or less (if they do not eat that much within a half hour) of fresh fruits and/or vegetables per day. Do not use spinach.
Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and the like are wonderful. Carrots should only be fed as a VERY rare treat as they are extremely high in sugar. Raw potato is okay but all skin should be completely removed (peeled) and all eyes as it is highly poisonous. Beans and any other legume (lentils, peas, peanuts) should NEVER be fed as they are poisonous unless cooked. Dandelion greens (if not treated with pesticides) are a mouse favorite.
Fruits: Bananas should be fed just as rarely as carrots due to the same sugar factor. Organic strawberries are best because of high amounts of pesticides in non-organic strawberries. Apples are a favorite of my mice, as are grapes, and any melons.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc. should NOT be fed.
Protein: Pregnant and lactating females require more protein, as do young mice. For adult mice a treat of 1-2 live crickets per mouse each week is a wonderful supplement and they enjoy hunting them. Mealworms are not as nutritious and very fattening, but are a good treat if fed exceedingly rarely.
Hard and soft-boiled organic egg also make a wonderful source of protein and a great treat for our mousey friends. Dried bread (free of spices and preferably soy) and shredded wheat cereal are great fun and low-fat treats for overweight mice.
The key with any diet is that a mix is for picking at (with the exception of an overeater, who receives anywhere from 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp per day), and isn't nutritionally complete without fresh foods on the side.
I choose to feed a from-nature diet because every single "complete" lab block out there contains soy (which has been shown to cause tumors in rats and mice), and all store-bought lab blocks (instead of special order) contain alfalfa meal, something our rodents receive no nutrition from whatsoever. Not to mention the grainery floor sweepings, hulls, shells, and corn.
Candice