Feeding Weanlings

[Autumnarcher]

I just picked up 5 young rabbits, which consist of 1 NZ red buck, 1 Californian buck, and 3 Californian does, all right around 6 weeks old. Once they mature, they will be our breeders.

Heres where Im a little confused. I have some 2nd cutting hay as well as pellets. From what Ive read and been told, I should free feed them while young, both all the hay and pellets they want.
When mature(breeding age), I should limit pellets to 2-3 oz/day,and all the hay they want, and can also add some oats.

At what point to I cut back the pellets to a regular daily amount. I understnd once the doe has a litter of litleones she wil need more food, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

I dont want them to get too fat by the time theyre ready to breed for the first time.

 

[skysthelimit]

They should start slowing down themselves. Mine's usually slow down around 4 months, I notice they aren't cleaning up. NZ grow faster, so maybe they will slow down earlier? Maybe not. Then I feed 4-6 oz (winter, less in summer) in the morning and more hay in the evening. No one who is over 5 mos is getting more than 4-6oz of pellets except does with litters.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

The best thing you can do is run your hand over them at feeding time- their spine should feel like rounded bumps- spiky= too thin, not felt= too fat.

I feed hay, pellets, 1/4 cup grain mix (2 parts oats to one part each of wheat, barley, BOSS, and beet pulp), and assorted weeds and greens. As long as you begin feeding very small amounts of fresh food and increasing it gradually, you shouldn't have any digestive issues.

Congrats on your new rabbits- any chance we'll be seeing some pics soon?

 

[Autumnarcher]

Hers a few pics of the kids.

This is Louie- hes my sons "pet" buck.

This one is our NZ Red stud we call him Panama Red

For our does,we have Daisy Duke

And Laverne and Shirley