Plant highest in protein?
- Thread starter LASGSD
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rabbits don't need protein, they need FIBER, high protein will KILL a rabbit, that said, they are compost makers, best bet is just plan a garden when you grow stuff like peas, you get peas, they get the pea plant. Or a high grow thing like berries, which they love, Mine kill for raspberry plants.
Actually, they do need protien of course--that is why pelleted feed is labled 16%, 17%, and 18%, the percentage they are labling is protein. Now rabbits don't need as much protein as a dog or a human, but for growth they need some, from plant sources. Most plant sources contain ample fiber along with the protein, as long as we are talking about the leafy parts--it is very easy to get too much protein from plants if you are using nuts and seeds.
Now, what I think LASGSD is really asking is what green leafy plants are known to be high in protein...for instance alfalfa has more protein than wheat straw, which has plenty of fiber, but little to no nutritive value.
I'll start the ball rolling, though I am no expert, by saying comfrey has been shown to have as much or more protein as alfalfa, though my rabbits aren't all crazy about it, they will eat it. Also, surprisingly enough, I read that dandelion greens contain alot of protien...It seems like alot of this information may be on other threads in this section, but scattered, maybe putting it all in one place might be a great idea.
Now, what I think LASGSD is really asking is what green leafy plants are known to be high in protein...for instance alfalfa has more protein than wheat straw, which has plenty of fiber, but little to no nutritive value.
I'll start the ball rolling, though I am no expert, by saying comfrey has been shown to have as much or more protein as alfalfa, though my rabbits aren't all crazy about it, they will eat it. Also, surprisingly enough, I read that dandelion greens contain alot of protien...It seems like alot of this information may be on other threads in this section, but scattered, maybe putting it all in one place might be a great idea.
SaratogaNZW
Active member
To answer your original question, Alfalfa is one of the highest, thats why it is so popular and so widely used. Easily propagated and maintained.
I have seen some discussion before Kudzu, which appears to be one of the highest plants in Omega 3 fatty acids. Getting the buns to eat a lot more of that makes a healthier diet for them, and for you when they go to freezer camp.
However, its classified as a noxious weed in the southern US, where it has done extremely well, and choked out other native species, so cultivate at your own risk!
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu
I have seen some discussion before Kudzu, which appears to be one of the highest plants in Omega 3 fatty acids. Getting the buns to eat a lot more of that makes a healthier diet for them, and for you when they go to freezer camp.
However, its classified as a noxious weed in the southern US, where it has done extremely well, and choked out other native species, so cultivate at your own risk!
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu
You won't find anything better than alfalfa for rabbits - it's high in protein and fiber, BUT...easier and cheaper to grow, and with 20+protein, great nutrients, DANDELIONS! Also Plantain. Other greens would be basil, parsley, spinach, turnip greens. I THINK mustard greens, as well. but for sure...a plot of large dandelions, harvested daily, will give you some excellent forage for the buns.
Um, if they (by that I mean Dept of Ag, DNR, Interior, fish and game...) find out that you introduced KUDZU into an ares... um, they can stick you with the 'eradication' bill... I'd find some other crop, or if you live where it is already growing, far as I know, nobody cares if go get some, As far as rabbits, and nutrition, there are lots and lots of feed recipes, but I think what you are talking about is FORAGE (as in feeding green left overs) which can be everything from Acorns to berry vines to broccoli plants (cole crops are very high in protein also)
All the info I can find on dandelion greens says they are only ~2% protein. It's calcium they are high in. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/c ... ut_edit.pl , http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/veg ... cts/2441/2
Frosted Rabbits
Well-known member
I have a friend who grazes her goats on all the neighborhood properties--She lives in an area infested with Kudzu, sothe neigbors view her as someone providing a service. Amazing - Kudzu was imported for erosion control, now, there is an all out war against it in any areas where livestock are not grazing it.
Crown vetch, up here, is almost the same-- The states imported it to control erosion along the interstates, now it is rampant in some areas. Multiflora rose- Another Noxious weed- has FINALLY fallen host to a disease that can kill it--only took how long? If we couldall feed our rabbits noxious weeds, and then sell their meat at a good profit, just think of the opportunities....<br /><br />__________ Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:31 pm __________<br /><br />
Crown vetch, up here, is almost the same-- The states imported it to control erosion along the interstates, now it is rampant in some areas. Multiflora rose- Another Noxious weed- has FINALLY fallen host to a disease that can kill it--only took how long? If we couldall feed our rabbits noxious weeds, and then sell their meat at a good profit, just think of the opportunities....<br /><br />__________ Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:31 pm __________<br /><br />
Dandelions are also a great way to bring nutrients that are locked deep in the soil, up to the surface. Nutrients move from soil, to root, to leaf. leaf is eaten. the poo then has those nutrients at the ready for shallower rooted plants.akane":1xgjpdud said:
"Dandelion leaves contain abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium (0.19% net weight), potassium (0.4% net weight) and fair amounts of iron and manganese,[21] higher than similar leafy greens such as spinach. They contain 15% protein and 73% carbohydrates, 37% of which is fiber (27% of the leaves are fiber).[22]"akane":3n5j4g7p said:
from wikipedia...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum
I also remember reading somewhere (on here?) that dandelions get HIGHER in protein after flowering, unlike most forage.
