alfalfa pellets

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

What about alfalfa pellets that i can buy. Cant i put some in my grain mix for the rabbits.
I found this. What do you think?
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department ... ll/faq7864

 

[MaggieJ]

Good information, but be sure you pay attention to this part:

What are some disadvantages of feeding pellets?

Pellets contain approximately 80% of the energy, when compared to rolled barley grain on a pound for pound basis.
Digestive upsets and even deaths may result if finely processed feeds are not supplemented with roughage (the more finely a pellet has been processed, the less roughage it contains).
Pellets can complete the ration but should not be used as sole source of feed because bloat is a concern.

I've heard some people say their rabbits do not like pure alfalfa pellets (as opposed to a "complete" rabbit food). Alfalfa cubes may provide a viable alternative and I have used them when I ran short of alfalfa hay.

An annoying problem with feeding a mix of feed is that some rabbits will scrabble in it to get their favourite bits and waste can result.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Thanks Maggie. I just not satified with grains i am giving the rabbits. It seems something is missing. I think i am looking for more bulk in the feeders. I gave some type of greens from the grocier store. But i cant remember the name of it. SOme of them didnt eat it.

I also bought alfalfa hay the other day. He says it is second cut . BUt i dont think so. I pay top dollar for the hay,i dont mind paying top if i am getting the top. I am going to post a pic to see what you think.

 

[trinityoaks]

Mary Ann, the grain mix recipe I use (from the late Oren Reynolds) as the basis for my feed calls for four parts alfalfa pellets, but as Maggie said, my buns didn't seem to care for those. They would eat the grains and scratch the alfalfa pellets out of their feeders. I used alfalfa hay for a long time, but I recently moved, and I haven't been able to find alfalfa hay at all here. I've been using alfalfa cubes with good success, though.

 

[MaggieJ]

Good advice from TrinityOaks.

I feed only small amounts of grain to bucks and dry does, especially in summer. About 1/4 cup... a small handful. They get all the alfalfa hay they want, for the protein and roughage, and as many greens as the season allows. They have a trace mineral salt block... the reddish-brown one for general livestock. You can also use the ones for goats.

Does with kits get more grain, of course. They get more of everything.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Ok, Well if yours didnt like the pellets then i am not going to buy a bag of it. Here are the pictures.
The first one is the bale opened up
http://www.4freeimagehost.com/show.php? ... f536ae.jpg
THis is in a whole bale
http://www.4freeimagehost.com/show.php? ... 03fc88.jpg
Here is a pic of the grass hay in a bucket that is use allot.

http://www.4freeimagehost.com/show.php? ... 0cc539.jpg
and here is the grains.
http://www.4freeimagehost.com/show.php? ... ab0bb7.jpg<br /><br />__________ Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:17 am __________<br /><br />

Mary Ann, the grain mix recipe I use (from the late Oren Reynolds) as the basis for my feed calls for four parts alfalfa pellets, but as Maggie said, my buns didn't seem to care for those. They would eat the grains and scratch the alfalfa pellets out of their feeders. I used alfalfa hay for a long time, but I recently moved, and I haven't been able to find alfalfa hay at all here. I've been using alfalfa cubes with good success, though.

Can you post the whole recipe from Oren Reynolds.

 

[trinityoaks]

Can you post the whole recipe from Oren Reynolds.

Here it is, from Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett:

6 quarts oats
1 quart wheat
1 quart sunflower seeds
1 quart barley (whole if available, otherwise crimped)
1 quart kaffir corn (when available)
1 quart Terramycin (Pfizer, New York City) crumbles, an antibiotic

The instructions specify that the Terramycin crumbles are to be added only once per week, but I don't believe in routinely medicating my rabbits (or my family).

As I mentioned before, I use the sunflower seeds (BOSS) only in cold weather, and I've never been able to find kaffir corn (sorghum). Of course, the need for a salt/mineral block can't be overemphasized if you are not feeding regular pellets.

I misspoke earlier regarding the alfalfa pellets. He does not include alfalfa pellets in his recipe. That proportion came from my own calculations when I first began regarding how much alfalfa would need to be included to bring the protein levels to 16%. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, my rabbits ignored the alfalfa pellets, so I went to free-choice alfalfa hay instead, and now that I can't find the hay, I'm using alfalfa cubes with good success. I haven't been able to get them interested in grass hay except as a nesting material.

My rabbits seem to thrive on this feeding regimen, but since I don't show, I can't speak to how it affects show condition. We raise rabbits for our own meat and the occasional sale to a 4-Her.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Thanks allot for that. I will not use medication if i dont have either.<br /><br />__________ Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:49 pm __________<br /><br />

Can you post the whole recipe from Oren Reynolds.

Here it is, from Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett:

6 quarts oats
1 quart wheat
1 quart sunflower seeds
1 quart barley (whole if available, otherwise crimped)
1 quart kaffir corn (when available)
1 quart Terramycin (Pfizer, New York City) crumbles, an antibiotic

The instructions specify that the Terramycin crumbles are to be added only once per week, but I don't believe in routinely medicating my rabbits (or my family).

As I mentioned before, I use the sunflower seeds (BOSS) only in cold weather, and I've never been able to find kaffir corn (sorghum). Of course, the need for a salt/mineral block can't be overemphasized if you are not feeding regular pellets.

I misspoke earlier regarding the alfalfa pellets. He does not include alfalfa pellets in his recipe. That proportion came from my own calculations when I first began regarding how much alfalfa would need to be included to bring the protein levels to 16%. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, my rabbits ignored the alfalfa pellets, so I went to free-choice alfalfa hay instead, and now that I can't find the hay, I'm using alfalfa cubes with good success. I haven't been able to get them interested in grass hay except as a nesting material.

My rabbits seem to thrive on this feeding regimen, but since I don't show, I can't speak to how it affects show condition. We raise rabbits for our own meat and the occasional sale to a 4-Her.

THe kaffir corn . I found a source of it. Is it the stuff that the farmers plant at this time of year...IT is very expensive. 1.50 a pound. IT is in seed forum. Is this the right stuff?

 

[trinityoaks]

THe kaffir corn . I found a source of it. Is it the stuff that the farmers plant at this time of year...IT is very expensive. 1.50 a pound. IT is in seed forum. Is this the right stuff?

Be cautious about using stuff meant for seed. It's often treated with pesticides, herbicides, etc. that can be harmful. And yeah, that's expensive! At that price, I would just do without.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I not getting it.. THat is way to expensive.But i wanted to see if i can get and how much. Boy was i shocked at the price.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Buy a pound of the sorghum- let it grow, then 'hay' the plant-- the rabbits love it! Also, if you grow sweet corn, 'hay' the stalks when you pluck the ear for eating fresh-- or go ahead and feed thefresh stalk to the rabbits--
Sorghum( milo) is present in a lot of bird seed,a s well--planting wild bird seed, letting it grow and mature, can provide a lot of interesting greens amd grains for the rabbits...