Feeding Practices ~ Rabbits

[elevan]

It seems that if you ask 100 different farmers you'll get a 100 different answers on just about every subject and this subject is really no different.

So let's run a thread about our different feeding programs so that we can learn from each other's methods.

Welcome to all different methods of feeding: natural, homeopathic, commercial, custom, organic, etc.

Be sure to include what state / country / region that you are in.

What specifically are you feeding?
What are you adding to supplement it?
And how does your feeding program change seasonally?



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No one is right or wrong on this thread - they are just true to their farm. This is a learn / share thread.

Learning requires questions and answers as well. So if you need clarification on someone's post please ask a question of them so everyone else can learn too.

This thread is open to civilized debate. As long as you don't state that you believe someone's feeding practices are harmful or outright wrong debating is good.

Any statements suggesting a practice is outright wrong or implied as harmful will result in you being reported.

Thank you for participating

 

[elevan]

Central Ohio / USA

Feeding:
Rabbit Pellets
Alfalfa Pellets
Mixed Grass Hay

Supplementing:
Mineral Lick
Salt Lick

Seasonal changes:
More hay in winter months

 

[lastfling]

NW NC / USA

Feeding:

Manna Pro Pro 16% - 4oz per rabbit daily (adjust as necessary if finishing or not)

Mixed grass (Timothy / Orchard) - Free choice - refill hay feeders as emptied.

Supplementing:

1/2 tsp per rabbit - rolled oat / flax seed / boss (top dressed on pellets daily as treat/coat conditioner at feeding) For food diggers this is put in separate container

Seasonal changes:

None

 

[Beachbunny]

Savannah Ga area

Feeding

Hay...hay racks are kept full
Rabbit pellets
Fodder..in the process of switching to fodder feed to replace pellets

Supplements:

salt/mineral licks

Nursing moms...rolled oats/BOSS started a week before kindling

Pine cones..they like to play with them and acts as a "lint roller" for the lose hair

raspberry/blueberry/blackberry/pear leaves once a week

assorted fresh herbs a few times a week

no seasonal changes as we have only summer and January winter here

 

[UnlabeledMama]

I am in Western NC.

What specifically are you feeding?

Pellets, Hay and a large pile of grass 2x a day.

What are you adding to supplement it?

Rose, willow, apple or blackberry branches regularly.
Mineral wheel.

And how does your feeding program change seasonally?

Less grass and more hay in the winter.

 

[nawma]

Desert of West Texas

Rabbit pellets
Calf manna for pregnant and nursing does

Supplemented with timothy hay or grass
Carrots, celery etc for treats
Salt and mineral licks
Doesnt change much with seasons except for less grass and more hay in our short winters.

I love the idea of pine cones as toys/hair grabbers.. Now where can I find pine cones in desert? Lol!

 

[secuono]

Virginia

TSC regular rabbit feed w/oats mixed in. 1/3-2/3 cup along with the pasture under their feet.
Growers and pregnant/nursing does get Manna Gro mixed with their pellet/oat.

Winter in cages; 2/3 cup pellet, alfalfa/timothy horse cubes, tree branches.

 

[SheepGirl]

Maryland - One indoor pet holland lop buck

Gets timothy hay in a feeder (gets filled every time we clean the cage--about once every week or two)
Gets 1/4 cup of rabbit pellets (Kaytee brand...we get the 20 lb bag at petsmart)
water

Had a salt and mineral lick for him but he didn't touch it.

Also he sometimes gets carrot chew sticks as a treat. He knows the sound of the bag opening! He gets so excited lol. He normally just gets it when he's been hopping around the house and we want to put him back in his cage.

 

[chris1177]

I feed 1/4 cup of Blue Seal Hutch Extra 17 every evening and give a handful of 1st cut timothy hay every A.M. As this is my first year with meat rabbits I haven't had a change of season yet. I live in Connecticut so we do get cold winters. Haven't really decided on a feeding schedule for the winter yet. Any advice on that would be appreciated. My rabbits are American Chinchilla's and they are Kept outdoors.

 

[nawma]

Im curious about feeding tree limbs. What kind of trees? Small tender branches? Nutritional value or mainly to keep teeth from growing too long.