Whats the best Lab Blocks?

What do you think the best lab blocks are and why?

Do you want it in ASF? If so, I would suggest altering the title and/or first post to specify that you mean the best lab blocks for ASFs. Otherwise, why not in the general feeder section?

General feeders is fine, I dont think they have a difference in diets..

There is a difference in diets between species. I'll assume you mean just in general.

Overall, Harlan is made with higher quality ingredients, no animal byproducts and no soy. Hands down my favorite feed.

Mazuri is also exceptional, but I don't like the large use of corn gluten and other ingredients. Also the major use of soy disturbs me. But, I have used it for most of my colony for a long time and they all did very well on it.

Soy is the number 1 ingredient in Harlen Rodent formulas... Why is soy so bad?

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Originally Posted by Mochelem

Soy is the number 1 ingredient in Harlen Rodent formulas... Why is soy so bad?

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I'm sorry, I was wrong, they dont use any alfalfa, and they use very minimal to no soy products. I think you may have meant Mazuri.

Harlans number one ingredient is ground wheat. That's a plus in my book.


http://www.teklad.com/globaldiet/gro2018.asp

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More important, perhaps, is what is NOT in these diets:
• NO Alfalfa Meal
• ZERO or Minimal Levels of Soybean Meal
• NO Fish Meal
• NO Animal Fat
• NO Meat Meals or Meat By-Products
• NO Cholesterol
• Lower Protein Levels

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Quote:

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Ingredients—Ground wheat, ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, corn gluten meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast, dicalcium phosphate, iodized salt, L-lysine, DL-methionine, choline chloride, niacin, vitamin A acetate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, ferrous sulfate, magnesium oxide, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, chromium potassium sulfate, kaolin.

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Harlan requires a bit more footwork to get hold of, but for me since it comes out to about the same price with shipping because I can't even get Mazuri nearby I'm going with the Harlan. :gj: I did write to them a couple weeks ago about purchasing in bulk and in person from their distributor in MD, but no answer.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

Harlan requires a bit more footwork to get hold of, but for me since it comes out to about the same price with shipping because I can't even get Mazuri nearby I'm going with the Harlan. :gj: I did write to them a couple weeks ago about purchasing in bulk and in person from their distributor in MD, but no answer.

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That's a very valid point too. Harlan is very hard for people to get a hold of unless you meet their odd requirements or have a distributor or buy online. In that aspect, Mazuri is available at any Purina dealer, so it is far more available than Harlan.

Oh I was looking at harlan 8604 heres the ingredients

Ingredients --- Soybean meal, corn flakes, wheat middlings, ground corn, fish meal, dried molasses, dried whey, soybean oil, dried brewers yeast, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, liver meal, iodized salt, choline chloride, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, magnesium oxide, manganous oxide, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, chromium potassium sulfate.

And I found an online dealer of harlen at www.ratshop.com

Also harlen comes in 33# bags and Mazuri comes in 50# bags, so the similar cost is for less with harlen... Ive just been reading that some of the ingredients in Mazuri are not digestable in rats, some of theses ingredients are thier main sources for protien... I just want my rats to get thier nutrition with the least amount of cannibalism

Harlan has changed to a $1000 minimum order and they are possibly going to raise that! They are trying to cut the "reptile people" out of the loop since the new owners mission is to cater to the labs......

I've been using Sand Valley Feeds (Rodent lab blocks) for a few years now. I LOVE it and so do my rats - pets and feeders. I get BIG litters, less poop, nice looking soft coats, nice plump healthy rats. It comes in 40lb bags.

Ingredients:
http://willowdaisy.com/gallery/main....serialNumber=1

Sand Valley is remilled Harlan food and bagged by Harlan.........

I've used them all and am currently using FRM 25%. I have to say it is great so far. The FRM 14% is not good for breeding. My production totally stopped and they started eating all the babies.

I've had great success with Mazuri too.

I get all my rodent food from local feed stores. I get Mazuri for $15.50 a bag and FRM 25% is $17 a bag. I have to buy Harlan from a local rodent breeder. I don't remember what is costs.

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Originally Posted by Phil

Sand Valley is remilled Harlan food and bagged by Harlan.........

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Someone told me that a long time ago, but I could not find any info on it so I thought they were confused and talking about another product.

Do you know of any info that says this, links, etc? I take your word on it, but I;d like to post and show a rat forum I'm joined to about this since they do not believe me... any think Sandy Valley is crap food.

I know it says packaged for Sand Vally on the tag but as far as saying from Harlan I am not sure? I know from someone who works for Harlan. The guy who owns Sand Valley is a friend somehow to the old owners of Harlan......

I don't know what the best is, but I use purina lab diet. I like it pretty well.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

Someone told me that a long time ago, but I could not find any info on it so I thought they were confused and talking about another product.

Do you know of any info that says this, links, etc? I take your word on it, but I;d like to post and show a rat forum I'm joined to about this since they do not believe me... any think Sandy Valley is crap food.

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I believe it was by word of mouth. From what I remember, someone actually called Harlan customer service and they directed them towards another label saying it was their product for the public. I don't recall if it was sand valley, or by another name, but that's all I remember.

In dealing directly with Mazuri, they have assured me that their alfalfa extracts are indeed digestable by rats, since rats can digest certain extracts and parts from the alfalfa, but not the whole leaf or stem (from what I can remember) itself unless it has been properly processed.

Many brands like Kaytee and other mixed cheap diets are considered to not have the proper extracts of alfalfa in their diet, making it just filler and hardly digestable.

Harlan is indeed trying to cut off private buyers (not just the reptile industry), $1000 minimum order, need a dock to offload, etc...

I emailed Harlan today to see if it was in fact true that Sand Valley is milled from Harlan. I got a reply this evening! =)

Email:

WOW I actually got a reply back from them at Harlan. Well the good news is the info I was told is actually in fact true! =)

Email:

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from Terry Burns-Heffner <TBurns-Heffner@harlan.com>
to "Allison"
date Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 9:48 PM
subject FW: SandValley lab blocks related to Harlan?

hide details 9:48 PM (2 hours ago)


Reply





Allison:

Yes, we manufacture this diet for Dean Moyer at Sand Valley Farms.

Very glad to hear you are pleased with this diet!

Terry





Terry Burns-Heffner

Teklad National Sales Manager

(301) 854-4777





From: Rebecca K. Porter
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 12:45 PM
To: Terry Burns-Heffner
Subject: FW: SandValley lab blocks related to Harlan?







From: Allison
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 10:34 AM
To: Ask A Nutritionist
Subject: SandValley lab blocks related to Harlan?



I've been feeding my rats Sandy Valley lab blocks for years now. I love it and so have all of my rats I've had. A few days ago someone was asking what everyone fed to there rats. I told that person and a few others posted that Sand Valley is remilled Harlan food and bagged by Harlan.........


Does anyone know if this it true. I -think- I remember seeing a label on one of my bags a long time ago saying made by Harlan, but the bag I have currently does not have anything that says that. Any and all info would be much appreciated!

-Allison

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My personal favorite is the Harlan 2018.

I switched to Mazuri 6f a few months ago and almost immediately noticed a change in production and water consumption (also urination obviously) so the smell was worse.


Harlan is #1 in my book. I would rather have it shipped to me and get less out of a bag than the Mazuri because of what I have witnessed myself already. (less out of a bag=less pounds as 2018 is 33lb and 6f is 50lb).

I'm waiting on my next couple of bags of 2018 to come in now...hopefully monday!

I have never heard of the Sand Valley. Where do you get it?

Any feedbacks about Zeigler RQ-18-6?

I'm using Mazuri 6F right now but I'm thinking to change.

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Originally Posted by dracovolans

Any feedbacks about Zeigler RQ-18-6?

I'm using Mazuri 6F right now but I'm thinking to change.

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Quickly looking over the product label, it sounds like a very good feed. How about trying it out and giving the rest of us a review? :)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Quickly looking over the product label, it sounds like a very good feed. How about trying it out and giving the rest of us a review? :)

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Will do!!!!

If you go to petfooddirect dot com you can order this:

Native Earth 18% Protein 4018 Rodent Diet 40-lbs (formerly Harlan)

(Attention Customers: This product is the same formulation as Harlan Teklad Global 18% Protein Rodent Diet and is produced by Harlan Teklad)

Native Earth 18% Protein Rodent Diet is a natural-ingredient pelleted diet specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters. 4018 is a fixed formula diet containing 18% protein and 5% fat. Promotes gestation, lactation, and consistent growth of rodents. Absence of animal protein and fish meal eliminates the presence of nitrosamines. Does not contain alfalfa, thus lowering the occurrence of natural phytoestrogens.

For additional volume discounts please call our toll free customer service line at 1-800-865-1333. Don't forget to order your bedding needs today!

It costs less than $14 for a 40 lb. bag, but you have to add shipping, which is high. I've also ordered harland teklad from kim's ark rodent rescue.

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Originally Posted by IguanaMama

If you go to petfooddirect dot com you can order this:

Native Earth 18% Protein 4018 Rodent Diet 40-lbs (formerly Harlan)

(Attention Customers: This product is the same formulation as Harlan Teklad Global 18% Protein Rodent Diet and is produced by Harlan Teklad)

Native Earth 18% Protein Rodent Diet is a natural-ingredient pelleted diet specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters. 4018 is a fixed formula diet containing 18% protein and 5% fat. Promotes gestation, lactation, and consistent growth of rodents. Absence of animal protein and fish meal eliminates the presence of nitrosamines. Does not contain alfalfa, thus lowering the occurrence of natural phytoestrogens.

For additional volume discounts please call our toll free customer service line at 1-800-865-1333. Don't forget to order your bedding needs today!

It costs less than $14 for a 40 lb. bag, but you have to add shipping, which is high. I've also ordered harland teklad from kim's ark rodent rescue.

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Ah see, that's why I hate to purchase online. The shipping costs more than the food! LOL


I also know that coldbloods.com sells harlan.... flat rate shipping.

I just can't afford to buy online. I'm still all about getting a group going that can meet Harlan's demands of $1000 minimum and a shipping dock. :D

I've been using the regular Mazuri rodent diet for my rats and my mice and they've all been thriving on it! I've got an order in for some of the 6F from the local blue seal feeds that should be coming in soon. I'd probably try the Harlan since that's what Kara at NERD (who I got my rats from) feeds her huge colony of rats but I can't get it from anywhere around here as far as I know and I'm certainly not going to order $1000 worth of it! However, with the Mazuri I've noticed that their urine and feces do not smell hardly at all (I also use a mix of woody pet and aspen which helps) compared with the Kaytee lab block I was feeding before I found a place to get Mazuri locally. IDK I guess it just comes down to availability and personal preference to a degree. I know my rats are healthy and breeding well on Mazuri so I'm gonna stick with it!

If anyone's in my area, and has interest in the Harlan, I got the loading dock part covered. :D

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Originally Posted by Shadera

If anyone's in my area, and has interest in the Harlan, I got the loading dock part covered. :D

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How's about you move that shipping dock and yourself up here to Michigan? Ya, you know you want to! :wuv:

I like Zeigler the best...

I've been reading over the various posts because I too am finding it harder & harder to find the lab block I prefer & at a price that is economical. I'd like to get some feedback on this product that a local business carries.




Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein Not less than 18%
Crude Fat Not less than 6%
Crude Fiber Not more than 5%

Ingredients

Wheat Middlings, Ground Whole Corn, Hominy Feed, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flash Dried Blood Meal, Procine Meat & Bone Meal, Poultry Meal, Hydrolyzed Feather Meal, DL Methionine, L-Lysine, Defluorinated Phosphate, and Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Soybean Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Feeding Fat, Calcium Carbonate, Diamond V XPC Yeast, Mono Calcium Phosphate and Di Calcium Phosphate, Salt (Sodium Chloride) Fungex, Vitamin & Mineral Premix, Manganese Oxide, Iron Sulfate, VITAMIN A 650, VITAMIN D 400, VITAMIN E 50, Maganese Oxide, Yucca.

I doubt we could be in on the Harlan scheme anytime soon, but hopefully after we get a house we can get in the group to raise the order up.

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Originally Posted by Phil

Harlan has changed to a $1000 minimum order and they are possibly going to raise that! They are trying to cut the "reptile people" out of the loop since the new owners mission is to cater to the labs......

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This is very true. I purchase from Harlan and they don't want the little guys any more.

I fed Harlan for a few months but had to ship it in and got too costly so switched to Mazuri, seems like they went through a lot more at first but back to normal after a month or so on it and haven't seen any difference in production so I don't really care although I do think it's poorer ingrediants than the Harlan.

As an owner and breeder of pet rats, I would feed either Harlan or Oxbow Regal Rat. Granted, I'm feeding for overall health and longevity, so we probably have different standards, and I know I wouldn't want to spend $40 on food for a rat that has a three to six month life expectancy. However, I will note that my main concern for my pet's is that they maintain good muscle tone and have strong immune systems, which I would imagine would make them good food. The more important thing, I've noticed, is the amount of fresh vegetables and other "human foods" they'll receive.