What lab blocks are best suited to baby rats

Question
Hi Molly, my question to you is, I do not and have not bought rodent food from the petstores since 4 years ago... why because l think they are full of moldy corn and rancid seed mixed in with dyed colored bits and pieces that have no more nutritional value than their litter at the bottom of their cage. A couple of years ago l use to drive out to Guelph to the Veterinarian university and buy their lab blocks. However as l am not a rattery and only have a few at a time l found the lab blocks expired way before l got a chance to get one third into the bag... such a waste. I finally found a rat lab block called Regal Rat by oxbow... Hay Company.I really like the product and so did my older girls at the time. However Regal rat have made it very clear on their packaging under 4 month old rats are not to be fed this product. I have just purchased 3 new ratties 2 of them are 2 months old and my newest rattie is only 6-7 weeks old. Another lady l recently met who has a rattery told me to put my 3 little girls on a hamster food called Extrusion by living world, apparently her vet that handles small pocket pets says it's okay to put the rats on this product. What l am worried about is this product by Living World has ingredients of  ground corn..as well as dehydrated alfalfa ( l was always told this is not good for rats)among the list of other things l can't even pronounce.
I liked the fact that Regal Rat contains no corn or artificial junk so it concerns me that l am giving these other  lab blocks to my young and still growing ratties.
I am confused about what is better, the Pet store bags of moldy mixtures or a food directed to hamsters. I am very astute when it comes to feeding all my ratties fresh foods daily but believe they still need to get their lab blocks, along with seeds and nuts and wheat flakes ect. in their bowls as their stapes diet, daily as well. What would you suggest l feed my little under 4 month old ratties? Is this Hamster food safe? Should l be looking for another lab block that will get them to the point where they can start eating the Regal rat?
Thanks so much l await your reply.
Holly & The Rat Pack

Answer
Ah, yes, I use Oxbow Regal Rat, but I own a rattery.
Umm, I find that it says "Strictly not for rats under 4 months old because it doesn't have the best flavour to young rats. DONOT feed extrusian ground corn is terrible, my rats actually died from eating that all their life 17 years ago!
There is also a brand called Harlad Teklad, and thats a pretty good brand also.
You could also make your own.
with qauker oats(dry), noodles (uncooked but dry) pea's and carrots, all bran flakes, apple, flax seeds, lentils and/or puffed rice.
Hope I helped!
-Molly