Midnight Sun Rodentry Gerbil Diet

While many gerbil owners prefer to feed their gerbils a commercial mix, I feel more comfortable feeding a custom blend.  The benefits of creating your own blend may not outweigh the downsides, and that is something you may want to consider.

Benefits: Downsides: Knowing the quality and type of materials in your pet's feed. Depending on where you purchase the grains, they may vary in quality. Having the ability to alter the diet depending on their stage of life. With less animals, or if you make too much, it can lose nutritional value over time. Buying in bulk can cut down on costs in supplies and in packaging. Most people do not have ample room to store excess grains. With more animals, you can feed them more efficiently. If a part of it is spoiled, it may ruin the whole batch. I recommend splitting up the complete mixture into several airtight tubs. Buying in bulk means less trips to the feed store. When mixed in large quantities, seeds may separate.  Store in several tubs to prevent.

Mmm, gerbil approved...

To figure out what to include in my gerbil diet, I researched their natural diet in the wild, looked on commercial labels, and followed other such recipes as Suebee's custom diet for rats, with slight modifications.

Photos, Ingredients, and Portions:

White Millet 1 Part Rolled, Steamed Oats 1-2 Parts Rolled Wheat 1-2 Parts Barley 1-2 Parts Brown Flax 1 Part Pullet Grower Mix (for protein and calcium) 1 1/2 Parts

Rabbit Pellets (without antibiotics or steroids) 1 Part Dried Split Green Peas 3/4 Part Organic Holistic Dog Kibble (I used senior Eagle Pack, 16% protein, 12% fat) 1/2 Part Life Cereal and/or Wheat Chex 1/2 Part Unsweetened (Plain) Cheerios 1/2 Part Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds 1/4 Part

Unsweetened Banana Chips (crushed) 1/8 Part

Finished Mix:

In addition to the above mix, I hand-feed treats, such as these, on occasion.

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