Food....

[Frosche]

Ok, I've been searching and skimming through all the feeding posts that I could find and I ended up getting even more confused that before I started.

Here's my info-
I have 6 female ratties.  Four are 5 weeks old(Tembo, Pembe, Vader and Tia).  Tembo and Pembe are double rex/hairless with peach fuzz and are also smaller than Vader and Tia, so they might be a younger?  Then the two older girls, Frosche & Kaipo, I'm not sure on their age, maybe 6-8 months?  I'm looking into ordering some Harlan Teklad for all of them.  Right now they are on Kaytee.. ick, I know, but it is the ONLY rat food that I've been able to find, even in the smaller fancier pet stores.  I mix the Kaytee blocks, half and half with Canidae Dog food ( http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html ).  They also get whatever we are eating as supplements(meats, veggies, fruits, carbs and occasional junk food.. they LOVE Cherrioes and applesauce for treats!).

So what Harlan Teklad blocks would be best for them and how approximately how much should I order to last them a month?  Would I still have to mix it with the Canidae(not a big deal either way, my dogs eat it).  They don't seem pudgy too me.  If anything, Fro is a leaner, pickier eater compared to her sister, Kaipo.

I'm sorry for asking, I just want them to have the healthiest diet and after reading everything I haven't been able to figure it out.  Thanks.

[Nokithis]

it can be confusing, but i'd recommend 2018 until they all turn 5 months old, then going to 2014.  if you are feeding harln i don't think you'd need the blocks.  one pound of blocks/rat is the formula i use provided as you say they get supplemental foodies. 

[Kendra]

My rats like the Harlan 2016 best and it is a good diet.  While they're young, you should supplement with things like cooked eggs.  Once you switch to Harlan, there's no need to mix it with a dog food.  They should still get plenty of veggies and fruits.  I also give mine a version of Suebee's mix (sans dog food) as a treat.  As for amounts, it varies.  I currently have five rats, and I order one flat-rate box of Harlan every four months or so, which equals out to close to what Nokithis posted, about a pound of food per rat per month.

[baschlais]

I, too, have found the choice of which Harlan incredible confusing.  I noticed that 2014, 2016, and 2018 all have cornmeal as the primary ingredient.  8604, however, uses soymeal as the primary ingredient.  On the other hand, 8604 does have a higher protein content.  So which is worse - higher protein or cornmeal-based block?  I've read that one should avoid cornmeal, so I was surprised to learn how many people feed 2014, etc.  Mazuri is soymeal based, but I do not know how high the protein content is.  How do you balance this out?  I'm so confused...