18% vs 16% feed

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Ok, I have to ask. I am wondering if i should switch to 16% from 18% that i am feeding now. I use to be a commercial breeder. But no longer am. I am more in the quality in the rabbit in the new zealands. I love the reds. So ,i dont breed in the winter no more and i also dont breed 8 litters a year either. I breed from March on to october. Some will only have 2 litters while others might have 3 to 4 litters depending on what i am doing. I was always feeding 18% with lots of grass hay. But now i am beginning to wonder that it is to rich for what i am doing now. What i am doing now is more grass hay and only about a quarter of a cup or more depending on the rabbit. I really like this food. Should i switch or can i be safe keeping it.?????

 

[akane]

If you are feeding unlimited grass hay and they are eating it you are already at 16% or possibly lower. Unless they are getting fat or having breeding issues that might indicate they are getting fat there's no reason to change.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Oh, really. Ok i didnt know that. So if it was just pellets then it is the 18%. so with the grass hay it knocks it down to 16%. Am i ready that right. ?

 

[akane]

Depends exactly what your grass hay percentage is and how much grass hay they eat (by weight) compared to pellets but grass hay is definitely below 18% and so it's bringing your percentage down some. For the exact amount we'd need numbers on the hay (farmers can send samples in for testing) and a scale. If you lower to a 16% pellet you will be below 16% in the overall diet which is too low for breeding rabbits. That's one reason many use alfalfa hay.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I haven't ever even seen an 18% pellet! They are all 16%. I have been feeding grass hay because I thought that would balance the alfalfa-based rabbit pellets better. They also get grains every day.

I have 30 bales of bermuda and 20 of alfalfa, and was planning on feeding both throughout the week. I also have about 100lbs of alfalfa/oat cubes- I fed some the other day, and some ate them all, while others still have some in their cages.

I was kind of hoping that if they got a varied diet that they would regulate themselves. Please don't tell me I need to become a nutritionist! :x

 

[boundarybunnyco]

Mama Sheepdog, I feed an 18 percent pellet, it's from Pfaus Feed in Montana. It's more expensive that some other brands, but it's what I've always used. And the rabbits seem to do really well on it.

 

[Lastfling]

Manna Pro also has an 18. I believe their show formula is 18

 

[akane]

Nearly all companies make an 18% pellet to go with their 16%. A feed store might be able to order it.

Neat little chart with a few hays http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/id146.pdf . Says they can go as low as 5% protein. Although I don't know anyone who feeds fescue. If you are feeding grass hay and grains odds are you have a 12% diet give or take 2% and if feeding a 16% pellet probably 12-14%. You don't need to balance the alfalfa in pellets for breeding animals. Alfalfa is the right protein, fat, energy, calcium, and has more amino acids and fat soluable vitamins than grass hay for breeding and meat growout. It's the pet rabbits and maybe bucks that need their feed lowered using grass hay and the few fatsos that seem to get chubby on air like a couple of my mini rex. You can also get too fast of growth for long term health in some animals if you feed too much alfalfa. I don't know if it applies to rabbits but it wouldn't matter in a meat operation.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

THanks everyone, I am staying with what i have. I am happy that i dont have to change. I just put hay racks on the inside of there doors for unlimited hay. So that will bring the percentage down and that is what i wanted to do. I also measure there food. Some of them where getting to fat. Thanks again.

 

[SterlingSatin]

i feed Heinhold 16%-18% and give alfalfa hay with it. even my non producing does dont' get fat on it. if you have a good feed, don't switch. I know a lot of breeders that have had a lot of trouble with their feed, if what you have now isn't giving you any problems, dont' change.

 

[SatinsRule]

It depends upon which breed and what the climate is year round.

I know a few breeders in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, etc. who breed both Mini-Satins as well as regular Satins. They feed their minis 16%, but give the big satins 18%. The reason they give for the difference is due to wanting their bigger rabbits to be able to put on extra mass to help them with surviving during colder months. Doing so with the minis would be counterproductive, as they would quickly exceed their maximum body weights.

If you live in a warmer area, try giving them 16% first.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Thanks satinsrule

Here in Canada it can get really cold sometimes.Since i am measuring there food. Some can really eat and some are just eating the amount i give them. I am still adjusting .

 

[SatinsRule]

Mary Ann, I'll just put it like this. When cooler weather hits around here, every rabbit I have nearly doubles their food intake, and I feed 16% almost exclusively. During the summer, their apetites aren't nearly as heavy, and it has to do with their bodies' reaction to the climatic conditions. At this point in time, I am considering switching between 18% for the fall/winter and 16% for the other 8-9 months which comprise the spring, summer, and early fall.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I never thought of it that way.

 

[SatinsRule]

Manna Pro also has an 18. I believe their show formula is 18

Their Sho Formula is 16%.