changing feed

[lissapell]

Picked up my buns today. The feed they were fed is completely different from anything available here brand wise. So I picked up a bag of nurina complete to try and transfer them from pellets to yard forage/grains. How long should I wait before introducing weeds or garden produce waste?

 

[Amy]

How old are they?

 

[lissapell]

4-6 months

 

[ZRabbits]

I've read that 4 months is the earliest to introduce weeds or garden waste to rabbits that never had it before. I wait until 6 months for my rabbits. Just to be safe. Introduced slowly, one new green or weed at a time and watched for several days before introducing another. It works well for me. Had no digestive issues.

Good luck with your new buns.

Karen

 

[OneAcreFarm]

What were they eating before you got them? You need to transition them off of that over the course of a week, and onto the Nutrena. As far as grains and greens go, just start with small amounts and increase slowly. If you see loose stools, decrease for a few days. You can give them ProBios or BeneBac paste to help their good gut bacteria and also free feed grass hay.

 

[lissapell]

I can't get what they were eating. It is not available here.

 

[3mina]

Then start with oats and hay and go from there

 

[Secuono]

I switch pellets cold turkey, never had any issues. I'd start adding bits of green once they are settled, know the routine of life there and you see no issues in health.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I can't get what they were eating. It is not available here.

Normally, a breeder will send a bag of their current food with the new owner to help transition the rabbits over in that case. If they did not provide this for you, then you will just have to go with what you do have. If you want to be feeding grains, and you don't have any of their old food, then I would not bother with the Nutrena. Just start with the grains, a mineral block, free feed grass hay and for sure get some kind of probiotic for them. Do you know what kind of grain you want to use? There are several people here than feed a grain mix....

trinity-oaks-grain-feed-mix-t6809.html

post111871.html#p111871

Hope that helps!

 

[lissapell]

Nzw is acting very hungry. I did give them some pellets last night but most of them were scratched out by is morning. I don't want to feed her to much but when in caught the girls feeding her grass she just kept eating it. Can I free geed kitchen oatmeal? She won't touch the hay. The breeder said to free feed grass hay since the pellets are timothy/alfalfa based.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Can I free geed kitchen oatmeal?

Yes. I just got a Beveren doe from a show, and she had slightly loose stool initially. I gave her alfalfa hay (which she didn't know what to do with at first!) and kitchen oatmeal for several days. She is still getting probiotic powder which I have for my horses. She is now transitioned onto my grain mix and doing fine.