Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly, she said, and how much your hamster shows his or her age will depend on a number of things, including their individual personality and energy level. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help your hamster live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Meanwhile, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the barley. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, drain, and set aside. When the soup is ready, add the barley and cook the soup for another 15 or 20 minutes, until the barley is tender.
One cup of hulled barley will yield three cups cooked. Hulled barley can take 20 to 25 minutes longer to cook than pearl and will absorb less liquid. It will retain its shape and swell with cooking, resulting in individual, separate grains. It is delicious as a pilaf or as an alternative to wheat berries in whole grain salads.