Field peas for rabbits?

[bikegurl]

We got a bunch of organic feed stuff recently, with the intention of transitioning all our livestock over to a less commercial diet. We got oats, triticale, field peas, and some stuff for fowl too. Does anyone have experience or information on feeding the peas to rabbits? They are dried...and basically used as an alternative to soy. Thanks in advance!

 

[MaggieJ]

We talked about this a long time ago on RabbitTalk. Try the search function for field peas and you might find the thread. I'm short on time this morning or I'd do it for you.

A google search for feeding field peas to rabbits will also give you lots of information. Let us know what you end up doing and how it works. You might also want to try sprouting field peas for the buns and chickens.

:good-luck:

 

[bikegurl]

Thanks! I should have used the search before posting...

 

[alforddm]

from feedipedia.org

Field peas could be introduced without any problem at up to 30% in pelleted feeds for growing rabbits and completely replace soybean meal as the main protein source, despite their lower protein content (Colin et al., 1976; Franck et al., 1978; Seroux, 1984). Peas can replace not only soybean meal but also a part of the cereal grains in the diet. In some experiments, growth performance improved when peas replaced the equivalent proportion of soybean meal + cereal grain (Castellini et al., 1991). When a higher proportions of peas are included in complete feeds, it becomes difficult to maintain the nutritive balance of all nutrients; for example a significant reduction of growth rate was observed in 2 trials out of 3 (-10% on average) when 45% of peas replaced soybean meal + cereal grains (Franck et al., 1978).

There is alot more info in the link as well. Hope that helps.

 

[Rainey]

We've grown field peas and cut and fed them before they set pods. Last year we harvested some when the pods were set but not filled out, then dried and fed the whole above ground parts. This year they were planted later than should have been and harvested and dried in the bloom stage. I'll be interested in how it works for you if you feed the dried peas--will probably try it ourselves eventually. You might want to either sprout some this winter or keep some to plant in spring.
And for what it's worth I find the search feature sometimes helpful but often frustrating. If I put in field peas, I'll get posts about peas that also mention the word field in them and have to look through all of them to try to find field peas--which are a different thing than someone wondering if they can feed garden peas or their plants or pods or whatever. This may be because I am not at all tech savvy --and my limited vision makes reading through irrelevant bits more difficult

 

[GBov]

What kind of field peas or will any kind work?

I have just gotten enough room to try growing food for the buns (and us ) and with so many field peas to choose from I am spoilt for choice.

 

[Rainey]

I just posted a reply to your question about amaranth. Didn't pay attention to your location. would suggest that you try to find people near you who are growing feed for rabbits or other livestock. There was an earlier discussion about the difference in feed depending on soil and that some soils in Florida lacked nutrients. We just grow whatever field peas Fedco seeds is offering in a given season. We ordered from them when we lived in Maine and still do here.
Michaels4gardens is really helpful on natural feed issues and though he's now out west he used to live in Florida and has posted about what he grew there.
Good luck and happy growing

 

[Rabbit Warren Man]

We got a bunch of organic feed stuff recently, with the intention of transitioning all our livestock over to a less commercial diet. We got oats, triticale, field peas, and some stuff for fowl too. Does anyone have experience or information on feeding the peas to rabbits? They are dried...and basically used as an alternative to soy. Thanks in advance!

I feed field peas all the time it is a staple in my bunnies diets.
I soak the peas overnight in a 5 gallon buck of water, then dump them into a bucket I have drilled holes into the bottom and let them drain. I place a damp towel over them. I let them sprout a couple days then feed them out. Rabbits love them and it keeps them healthy, 23% protein.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantam]

Hey Rabbit Warren Man, that is a 7 year old post you are replying to. Just so you know… the original poster hopefully already figured out their question.

 

[Therese]

I feed field peas all the time it is a staple in my bunnies diets.
I soak the peas overnight in a 5 gallon buck of water, then dump them into a bucket I have drilled holes into the bottom and let them drain. I place a damp towel over them. I let them sprout a couple days then feed them out. Rabbits love them and it keeps them healthy, 23% protein.

Great information! Thank you!

 

[Rabbit Warren Man]

Hey Rabbit Warren Man, that is a 7 year old post you are replying to. Just so you know… the original poster hopefully already figured out their question.

Got two replies

 

[dizzybumblebee]

Hey Rabbit Warren Man, that is a 7 year old post you are replying to. Just so you know… the original poster hopefully already figured out their question.

Yep but I just read it and was very interested. 8-18-2023

 

[Rabbit Warren Man]

Yep but I just read it and was very interested. 8-18-2023

Thanks, they work very well.

 

[TKT]

I was interested too but what I came up with when searching was that peas are too gassy for rabbits and can cause gastric issues. I wanted to know because I wanted to try a pellet that was corn and soy free. The only one I found that I like the ingredients of was Modesto Milling, which had peas. Chewy had a 50% off sale so I got two 25 lb bags for the price of one to try. I will mix in just a little bit with their regular. I was feeding Modesto Milling gamebird starter to my quail who preferred it and it went up $20 a bag from $40 to $60 for 40 pounds. Ouch!

 

[judymac]

I was interested too but what I came up with when searching was that peas are too gassy for rabbits and can cause gastric issues.

According to https://www.feedipedia.org/node/264 peas can be fed up to 30% of the diet. I have used green split peas as my protein source for years, instead of soy. As with all diet changes, make the change slowly, a little at a time, so the gut bacteria can adjust.

 

[TKT]

Interesting! May I ask how you feed them, and with what other foods?

 

[judymac]

My rabbits didn't care for the whole yellow field peas from the feed store, but all but one likes the green split peas from the grocery store. The store orders 25# bulk boxes of the green split peas for me. I mix 12 parts local whole oats, 4 parts local whole wheat, 2 parts black oil sunflower seeds, 2 parts green split peas, 2 parts Calf Manna and 1 part flax seed. (I tried this without the Calf Manna, but they missed the extra vitamins and minerals and didn't do as well.) They also get mixed grass hay. The ones that do well on this mixture, are the ones that go into the breeding pool. The same with any feed system, "breed to the feed"-- the ones that do well under the system you want to use, are the ones that breed the next generation, whether it's free range greens or an indoor colony fed mostly fresh greens, show bunnies on pellets or homestead rabbits on homegrown grains. Be patient, not all rabbits will do well on a given feed, whatever it may be. Work with those that do, and always introduce new feeds slowly.

 

[TKT]

Thanks VERY much for the precise breakdown, it's very informative!

I have a couple 25lb bags of Palouse green split peas off of Amazon, buckets of high percent protein organic wheat berries, and bags of rice put aside for if I can't get my usual quail feed. I've had supply issues so stay a couple of bags ahead on feed, now same with the rabbits and of course the dogs. We live in earthquake country in an area that could lose supply access. So it's good to know what could be added a little at a time to stretch their store bought. I'm close to needing a feed shed, lol.

 

[Rabbit Warren Man]

I was interested too but what I came up with when searching was that peas are too gassy for rabbits and can cause gastric issues. I wanted to know because I wanted to try a pellet that was corn and soy free. The only one I found that I like the ingredients of was Modesto Milling, which had peas. Chewy had a 50% off sale so I got two 25 lb bags for the price of one to try. I will mix in just a little bit with their regular. I was feeding Modesto Milling gamebird starter to my quail who preferred it and it went up $20 a bag from $40 to $60 for 40 pounds. Ouch!

I have been feeding yellow field peas to my rabbits for years have never had an issue. Also they are high in protein. I sprout the peas and they love them. So sometimes Mr Internet not the best source. People that have never raised anything or post their opinion is common.

 

[Rabbit Warren Man]

I was interested too but what I came up with when searching was that peas are too gassy for rabbits and can cause gastric issues. I wanted to know because I wanted to try a pellet that was corn and soy free. The only one I found that I like the ingredients of was Modesto Milling, which had peas. Chewy had a 50% off sale so I got two 25 lb bags for the price of one to try. I will mix in just a little bit with their regular. I was feeding Modesto Milling gamebird starter to my quail who preferred it and it went up $20 a bag from $40 to $60 for 40 pounds. Ouch!

I feed only farm fresh to my rabbits hay, peas, sunflower seeds in winter, tree branches including pine and oats all organic.