Amaranths / chenopodium

[UK-backyardbunnies]

Does anyone know if the saponins in "grains" such as quinoa are harmful to bunnies?
I'm thinking of growing a patch of something like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth_grain and just giving the leaves/seed heads/stems as-and-when. It would seem to be a good source of extra energy, protein etc?
I feed native fat hen (a Chenopodium) without problem but these others are much larger and higher yielding.

Cheers!
(Actually, similar question regarding oxalic acid found in sorrels and some other leaves?)

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

DO NOT feed any member of the oxalis family-- the oxalic acid is a killer on the renal system..

 

[MaggieJ]

According to my bit of research, the chenopodiums are not in the oxalis family. I feed Chenopodium alba (Lamb's Quarters) to my rabbits when the plants are young. Later they seem to find them less palatable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenopodium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

amaranth doesnt have the natural saponins on the seed like quinoa does.

if you grow and feed quinoa you will have to rinse the seed of the saponins. its a natural protection to keep animals from eating all the seed so that some seeds survive to grow the next year.
the saponins (natural soap, you can wash things in the rinse water of the quinoa) are bitter tasting and many animals may not eat them without rinsing.

amaranth does not have saponins and does not need rinsing.