Dried "Rabbit Salad"

[Frecs]

First, I confess that I stole this idea from a website selling treats for rabbits. Please don't turn me into the the plagiarism police!

I thought this was a pretty good idea and would not be at all surprised that the smart folks here are already doing this.

Basically, it is a mixed "salad" of dried flowers, leaves, plant parts that can be fed to rabbits. The site did not give a full list of what they include in the mix but I'd think it could be pretty free form and ever changing depending on what local ingredients are available.

I'm thinking that as I gather forage for the rabbits, I can detour some of it to the dehydrator, dehydrate and store for later. Anyone already doing this? If so, how do the rabbits like it compared to fresh?

 

[Dood]

It is basically glorified hay which my rabbits love.

I do make my own hay is small quantities to supplement their horse hay over the winter. I keep a few empty feed sacks in the car and a small hand scythe and if I pass an fallow field I will stop and harvest dandelions, vetch, clover, tree foil and other wild plants. I dry them out on my hammock and bale them and put them away for winter.

 

[Frecs]

Well, not quite the same as hay. This would be more like dried daylily flowers, rose petals, rose leaves, herbs, twigs, dried kale perhaps in small amounts, dried willow, etc. So, rather than dried grasses, it would be dried greens, flowers, and small twigs.

 

[Mickey328]

These are some good ideas! We're going to plant stuff specifically for the rabbits and chickens this year so they'll have greens, and will dry the excess for winter use, but I never thought about all the flowers and twigs and such...also never thought about "harvesting" from fallow fields. Every little bit that I don't have to buy is a good thing

 

[Frecs]

It does get one thinking! I like the idea of keeping cutting tools handy for impromptu gatherings from fallow fields.

Here is a quick list of possible "salad" or "hay" items -- many more could be added for sure! (perhaps put the flowers in a "salad" mix and the leaves/plant in a "hay" mix???:

agrimony
avens
borage
thyme
rosemary
lavender ???
chamomile
calendula (the flowers are a good source of vitamin A)
chickweed (a good natural source of copper)
cleavers (an excellent spring tonic)
coltsfoot
dandelion (but don’t feed too much as it is a diuretic)
goat’s rue (aids lactation)
golden rod (a great plant to feed as the plant grows back even bushier when you harvest the tips)
lemon balm
common mallow
marshmallow
meadowsweet (a natural source of salicylic acid – the active ingredient in aspirin)
melilot
mouse ear
plantain
shepherd’s purse (good for scouring)
yarrow
daylily flowers
rose petals
rose leaves
rose hips
twigs
hibiscus flowers
kale
collards
spinach
basil
okra pods
okra flowers
okra leaves
gardenia
gladiolus
honeysuckle (Japanese)
lilac
lemon verbena
squash flowers
squash leaves
nasturtium flowers & leaves
pansy flowers
radish greens & flowers
violets

Basically, any herb or wild plant you would feed fresh in season can be dried for winter use.

 

[MaggieJ]

I often dry extra plants when they are plentiful and save them for winter. When a high wind brings down willow or poplar branches, I save the extras. When dandelions are at their most lush, I harvest extras. And so forth. The large mesh bags used for onions and oranges are great for drying plants.

 

[Amy]

That gets me excited about spring! I know we still have a few months of wintery weather here...although I did hear birds chirping away this morning!!
Thanks for the list, some of those I already grow (like calendula) but didn't know rabbits could eat them!! Now I know!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I dry them out on my hammock and bale them and put them away for winter.

That is an awesome idea. Now I just need a hammock.

 

[MaggieJ]

A sling made out of an old bedsheet works just as well as a hammock. Just knot the corners and hang it up.