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Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered #360249
08/12/07 03:19 PM
08/12/07 03:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Many of you have asked for our 12-page Ratio "Cheat Sheet" and based on the response, we are very happy that so many of our friends are interested in learning more about this.

So many questions have come up about how to figure the ratios, that we thought a short explanation was in order.

So if we already answered this for you in a PM or email, please pardon the repeat.

First, take out the 12-page cheat sheet (If you want it just email us - see the signature below)

If you look at the list we sent you, consider papaya, for example. Under the "mineral column" you will see that one cup has 33.6 mg. of calcium and 7 mg of Phosphorous. Those numbers are the "absolute" value of those mineral contents. If you divide one into the other, that's where the ratio is derived. As you can see the ratio does not reveal the absolute value, just the relativity between these two minerals. That's why we took the time to add the absolute values for each portion.

Now look at banana. A small banana is about a cup or slightly more so you have to measure it. Anyway, one cup of banana has 7 mg of calcium and 27 mg of phosphrous.

So if you wanted to offer both Papaya and Banana together, you'd want to offer them in the correct proportion to get a 2:1 ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous. Here is a one cup comparison:

1c. Papaya: 33.6 mg. Calcium; 7 mg. Phosphorous
1c. Banana: 7 mg. Calcium; 27 mg. Phosphorous

As you can see, one cup of each side by side does NOT offer a 2:1 ratio but kind of "cancel one another out" - that is a ratio closer to 1:1. So in order to bring the ratio to optimal range (2:1 Ca:Ph) you'd have slightly less than twice as much papaya as banana. That is to say that if you double the amount papaya over banana, that would establish a roughly 2:1 ratio which is what you are shooting for.

If you are concerned they would favor one over the other and therefore not get the correct ratio, you can always blend the fruits and veggies.

In the beginning, you can avoid all these calculations by just sticking to the fruits and veggies that already have a 2:1 ratio or close to it (pineapple, blackberries, oranges and grapes together make about 2:1 in the same portions). But variety is good and Ca:Ph are not the only minerals they should get.

So for more variety, it is good to look at the absolute values as well so you can offer items on opposite ends of the ratio scale.

Be sure to offer a mix of veggies and fruit that provide ample Vitamin A, B2, C, and minerals such as iron and potassium in addition to Calcium and Phosphorus. The good news is it is nearly impossible for a glider to be "oversupplemented" on these natural foods. It's much easier to hurt their liver and other internal organs with supplement powders.

Since we have been paying attention to these values, we have cut back dramatically on supplements. The only one ours get now is HPW powder which is mostly for the D3 content (aids in Calcium absorbtion). Not naming names, but if you study all of the 'diets' closely, you will see the ratios are off or not even stipulated on some. By educating yourself on these nutritional values, you will do a better job of feeding your little pets a more healthy, natural, and well-rounded diet. And you will begin to question "why" so many supplements are used and start looking more closely at the ingredients of the foods you consider offering your precious pets.

Now you know why I am against just dumping a lump of frozen mixed veggies in a bowl. That's like "wheel of fortune."


'Hope this helps. If you have questions, let us know.




Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: Lucky_Glider] #360254
08/12/07 03:27 PM
08/12/07 03:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
ValkyrieMome  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
Hey, Ed and Gail -

I'd love to see pictures of your gliders' fur conditions. Have you posted them and I've missed them?

I'm interested in what you preach about. It seems like it could be formulated to be more of a no-brainer. Maybe a specific weekly diet could be worked out?


Alden
"Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker


Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs;
and very many great gliders!

(plus the 2 skin kids)
valkyriegliders.com

Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: ValkyrieMome] #360276
08/12/07 04:24 PM
08/12/07 04:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Sure, note that this photo:
http://www.glidercentral.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=104178

is a "before" picture. It shows some of the D colony members before I had a chance to get them on a decent diet.

All of the other photos are basically "after" photos.

The other photos minus the one above:
http://www.glidercentral.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=103969
Show the general "fur condition" of both colonies

Once you have the 12-page ratios and nutrition sheet you can mix and match fruits and veggies at will. Our vet says that variety is key, so we don't feed the same thing each week fruit and veggie wise.





Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: Lucky_Glider] #360366
08/12/07 07:27 PM
08/12/07 07:27 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,830
USA
SugarBlossoms Offline
Serious Glideritis
SugarBlossoms  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,830
USA
off_topic Oh my! Baby Dixie looks like a mini Kangaroo! How adorable! mlove


Keeper of Handprints on my Heart, You left your Footprints on my soul.
My precious loves that left to quickly, Peanut, Katie
Isabella, Kiwi, Bonnie and Monroe.

Spread your wings and glide free of pain,
Until the day I see you again.

God speed my precious angels. I love you. Mama.
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: SugarBlossoms] #360512
08/12/07 10:46 PM
08/12/07 10:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Dear SugarBlossoms, thank you I will let her know that you were admiring her picture! Gail is in now with the Ds playing. Not sure, but she may be having more fun than the gliders!


Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: Lucky_Glider] #360524
08/12/07 11:01 PM
08/12/07 11:01 PM

W
Wantiki2
Unregistered
Wantiki2
Unregistered
W



Love those ears! What adorable babies! Thanks for sharing your pictures and knowledge.

Do you feed your colonies any insects, mice or fowl? I give my crew mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers, peach-fuzzy mice and day-old quail. I am considering feeding them lobster roaches (which my son breeds for his herps) or Madagascar's but I just can't overcome the 'yuck' factor.

I use the HPW feeding plan on a daily basis and alternate the above.

Opinions & input, please?

Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: ] #360565
08/13/07 12:03 AM
08/13/07 12:03 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Dear Wantiki2, we offer mealies and wax worms, but my delicate stomach can't take the idea of another mammal being fed (frozen or not)... But with HPW diet, there is plenty of protein anyway, so the insects are "treats" as far as I'm concerned. Less gross alternative treats include the blossums of roses, bottlebrush and acacia for "natural' stuff...

Anyway, we offer BML and a balanced ratio of fruits and veggies. The worms are offered only twice a week because they are very high in fat...



Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: Lucky_Glider] #360812
08/13/07 10:59 AM
08/13/07 10:59 AM

W
Wantiki2
Unregistered
Wantiki2
Unregistered
W



Any thoughts on offering hibiscus flowers?

Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: ] #360858
08/13/07 12:01 PM
08/13/07 12:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,087
Manitowoc, WI
BeckiT Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
BeckiT  Offline
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,087
Manitowoc, WI
mine shred the hibiscus flowers from Wiggles' tree smile they especially like if it's still in bloom when I put them in the cage. I also give them rose of sharon (which is in the hibiscus family, just smaller flowers) flowers when mine bloom.

Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: BeckiT] #360870
08/13/07 12:17 PM
08/13/07 12:17 PM

W
Wantiki2
Unregistered
Wantiki2
Unregistered
W



thanks

Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: ] #361819
08/14/07 03:59 PM
08/14/07 03:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Yes, and here are a few more (repeated from another post):

Bottlebrush (Callistemon phoeniceus, or C. linearis, or C. rugulosus) is a treat for them. They like to battle with the leaves and stems and crunch on the blossums. These are easy to get at a local nursery.

Acacia aneura is the Acacia tree we use and we ordered that from a local nursery here in Las Vegas. In Australia, the type of Acacia that is popular is the "Golden Wattle" (Acacia longifolia).

Also popular there is the Grevillea "Honey Gem" (hybrid of G.pteridifolia and G.banksii) which just drips wtih nectar and I am told by my AU friends that gliders go nuts for it. If any of you can find a mail order nursery in the states that has it, please let me know....

They also like Roses.







Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Ratio "Cheat Sheet" Questions Answered [Re: Lucky_Glider] #365109
08/18/07 04:44 PM
08/18/07 04:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
Lucky_Glider Offline OP
Glider Lover
Lucky_Glider  Offline OP
Glider Lover

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 340
Van Alstyne, Texas
just found out from one of my friends down under that they love the flower of the Plumbago europaea, too. We just ran out and bought one to add to our "back to nature" flower bed...


Lucky_Glider
Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
ed@LuckyGlider.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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