9 grain rolled grain mix

[Amy]

If these ingredients are safe for rabbits, I can get a 50 lb. bag for $23. I've been feeding my rabbits whole grains, so I'd buy a 25lb. bag of wheat, oats (rolled), barley and then adding BOSS. I've been buying organic, but how convenient if it all came rolled in one bag!!
Any thoughts? I'm going to do my research to make sure rye, spelt, and triticale are ok. I've been hearing some of you talk about the benefits of flax, it's the last ingredient on the list, but the amt. isn't something that I could control. I've eaten this before and don't remember seen very much flax in it. What do you think??
INGREDIENTS: Hard Red Wheat, Oat Groats, Triticale Berries, Rye Berries, Dehulled Barley, Soft White Wheat, Spelt Berries, Hard White Wheat, Flax.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

sound like you are going to make some bread.. Lol... Sounds ok to me as long you add alfalfa hay

 

[Amy]

It is totally edible for humans, is a great substitute for oatmeal.
Okay...now the alfalfa is important for the protein. What signs would I see in my herd if the protein levels in their feed were not adequate? I ask b/c I've been given 2 bales of good organic orchard grass for free and I'd like to give them that. I have collected and dried willow branches that I'll be giving them throughout the winter.<br /><br />__________ Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:04 pm __________<br /><br />I'm going to go ahead and order tomorrow, unless I hear from someone saying it's not a good idea. Looks like triticale is a genetic mix b/t wheat and rye, spelt is a type of wheat, and I read that rye is ok for rabbits, along w/triticale. There is a lot of wheat in the mix, so I may order some rolled oats to make the ratio more oats then wheat.

 

[3mina]

Use your free bales. I'm guessing that if your protein levels aren't enough the rabbits won't be able to keep condition.

 

[Amy]

Help me, how can I tell if they're keeping their condition? By not shedding?

 

[3mina]

You'll be able to feel little spikes on their backbones. They'll feel skinny

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

There hip bones may poke up too. I would add more oats to it and feed your hay. They should do fine on it. You can always up their portions if they seem to drop condition too.

How about adding alfalfa pellets to their feed a few days a week even?

 

[Amy]

Ok, thanks for explaining that to me. I may need to add something, as I just started noticing one of my does a little "spiny". She seems to always be shedding too, is that normal? Thanks for your help, I love this forum!!

 

[MaggieJ]

The grain mix sounds excellent to me, always remembering that grain is only a small part of their diet. You may need to buy some alfalfa cubes to raise the protein level a bit... That way you can certainly use some grass hay. Please remember to get the buns a trace mineral salt block. I use the reddish brown ones that are for general livestock. Some people use the ones for goats. I just knock chunks off the block with a hammer.

Willow branches, preferably with the leaves on, are a good source of protein too. My rabbits always get excited when I give them willow.

You may want to supplement the basic diet above with some fresh foods. In winter, growing grain grass or sprouting some whole grains will give you much better source of protein and vitamins than grain alone.
fodder-sprouting-systems-anyone-t10317.html

 

[Amy]

Thanks, Maggie...I was hoping you'd reply with all of your knowledge on that subject! So glad to hear your approval, as I've already ordered it. I order through a company called Azure Standard if anyone else is interested, but that mix comes from Montana Milling, which I know is popular.
I probably rely too much on the grain and hay, and would like to be better about giving them more fresh. Does it matter if it's been raining a lot, b/c all the green stuff is very wet right now.? I've dried a few bags worth of weeds, etc. along with the willow and rasberry branches, and I do give them mineral licks.

 

[MaggieJ]

I've never had a problem feeding wet greens since my rabbits have been getting abundant greens all along. Wet greens are probably more laxative than dry ones. If you have some old towels or sheets, you could let the greens drain for a couple of hours before feeding them.

In winter, my rabbits do not get large amounts of fresh foods, but I do believe that even small quantities are very beneficial.

 

[3mina]

Ok, thanks for explaining that to me. I may need to add something, as I just started noticing one of my does a little "spiny". She seems to always be shedding too, is that normal? Thanks for your help, I love this forum!!

She needs a bit of help it sounds like, constant moulting isn't normal but is part of being out of condition

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

Ok, thanks for explaining that to me. I may need to add something, as I just started noticing one of my does a little "spiny". She seems to always be shedding too, is that normal? Thanks for your help, I love this forum!!

She needs a bit of help it sounds like, constant moulting isn't normal but is part of being out of condition

with my dutch i can always tell if they are losing condition by the look of their face and the look of them in show pose (or close as i can get to it lol) lookin at em from above.
they should have round faces and they get to be slimmer and more defined when they lose condition.

alot of telling if a rabbit isnt in condition just comes down to learning your rabbits individually. thats always unfortunate and frustrating to hear when you are first starting though! i know it bugs be when i get a new rabbit. cant tell if i ought to give it more feed or less feed.

 

[Mickey328]

Right now, we're transitioning from pellets to a grain diet. Because they're still getting the alfalfa in the pellets, we feed mostly grass (Timothy) hay. We'll be adding alfalfa in greater quantities as the pellets are decreased, hoping to balance out that protein. I think (correct please if I'm wrong) that grass hay has somewhat more fiber in it than the alfalfa, so I'm thinking we'll be offering both, or even a mix of the two. Can hardly wait till spring to be able to add more fresh greens to their diet. I suspect they never had anything but pellets till we brought them home; they're quite leery of most things still. Shoot, we put them into an outdoor exercise pen yesterday and it took them over an hour to realize they could nibble the grass there, LOL

 

[hoodat]

RE low protein the first visible sign you see will probably be a loss of condition in the hair. It will start to have a dull look.<br /><br />__________ Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:31 am __________<br /><br />I have a 7 grain product available locally. My rabbits love it and thrive on it but it is far too expensive for everyday use. I only use it when the young are being weaned to get them used to eating dry food.