14% BOSS?

[Miss M]

I remember reading somewhere that BOSS is something like 25%+ protein. I was trying to figure out the analysis of my feed mix, and saw that the Pennington BOSS I have says "Minimum Crude Protein.... 14%".

I thought all BOSS was protein-rich?!?!?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I thought BOSS was high in fat/oils. I'll try to check my bag tomorrow for protein content.

 

[skysthelimit]

Mine says 13%.
Why am I spending money on it then? I might as well spend that money on pellets!

 

[Lastfling]

I thought BOSS was high in fat/oils. .

I agree. You feed this for the fats and oil to promote good coat condition especially in show rabbits.

 

[dragonladyleanne]

Here is a good article (even though it's talking about horses) explaining the benefits of BOSS as a food SUPPLEMENT. Pellets are the easiest "one source" feed, except for fiber (which is why many folks provide hay also, for the fiber). I feed my rabbits about 1/3 cup as a treat a couple of times a week, or more often for does about to kindle or the first week or so of nursing. Most of them eat it hulls and all, though I did find empty hulls in the dish of one rabbit.

http://www.understanding-horse-nutritio ... seeds.html

 

[Miss M]

I thought it was high in protein and high in fat. I must've confused it with something else... wouldn't be the first time. :roll:

I can't use it to raise the protein level of my feed like I thought I could. Oh, well.

Not that I'll stop giving it. It's great for the nutrients and good quality fats.

That was a very interesting article, Dragonladyleanne! I finally got the answer to "Why can't you feed striped sunflower seeds?" :razz:

 

[skysthelimit]

That's what I thought too, I was using it to raise the protein levels. For the price I pay, I can raise the protein and get fats/oil from another source.

 

[MaggieJ]

My understanding is that the 25% is for hulled sunflower seeds, and that "in the shell" BOSS is about 13-14%.

I like it as a supplement, especially in winter, but I rely on the alfalfa hay to provide the bulk of the protein. BOSS is a good source of Vitamin E, which is essential both for willingness and success at breeding.

 

[Miss M]

My understanding is that the 25% is for hulled sunflower seeds, and that "in the shell" BOSS is about 13-14%.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! Okay, that must be where my mistake was!

 

[arachyd]

I have fed my rabbits the striped ones. The hulls are good roughage. Horses eat a bit differently from rabbits and would swallow them nearly whole, just crushed. They're no worse than giving them wood or twigs to chew.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

MAggie is correct on the shelled vs unshelled.. The presence of the shell sends the fiber content way up-=- and of course, the nutritional ratios change when one removes a significant portion of a 'grain' or 'seed' After all, that is the difference between 'whole grain' vs plain white bread!

 

[Miss M]

I have fed my rabbits the striped ones. The hulls are good roughage. Horses eat a bit differently from rabbits and would swallow them nearly whole, just crushed. They're no worse than giving them wood or twigs to chew.

You've got a point. So there's nothing else about the striped ones, then, too keep rabbits from eating them?<br /><br />__________ Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:02 pm __________<br /><br />

MAggie is correct on the shelled vs unshelled.. The presence of the shell sends the fiber content way up-=- and of course, the nutritional ratios change when one removes a significant portion of a 'grain' or 'seed' After all, that is the difference between 'whole grain' vs plain white bread!

Yes, it makes total sense!