Fresh grazing?

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Today I packed up my current litter and hauled them outside...I rigged a wire pen and let them graze on my weedy overgrown lawn while I did some gardening. They quickly figured out that all the green stuff is edible and yummy, and spent the next hour or two mowing a two-foot-by-two-foot section of the lawn. I have never used chemicals or anything on the lawn so there's no worry there, and the lawn is full of plenty of weeds and "variety" for them.

My question is, will this really help them and reduce the amount of pellets/hay I need to feed them? I would love to begin giving them more natural feeding options. These particular rabbits are all destined for meat production; will they gain weight poorly if allowed to graze a lot?

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

with my rabbit i can tell alot. if it rains for a few days or i just cant cut grass i go from feedin about 12cups of feed to about 20cups of feed. so i do all i can to keep at least hay in for them. but even then sometimes they turn their nose up at it "ewie we want GREEEEEEN!" haha

and actually my litters i've had since it warmed up and their was grass to cut were bigger, faster then the winter non-greens litters.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Awesome, thanks so much!

 

[MaggieJ]

Years ago, when I was feeding pellets with some weeds, the rabbits were ready for camp at 10-12 weeks. Now, on completely natural feed (alfalfa/grass hay, small amounts of whole grain and as many greens as the season allows), they take 14-16 weeks. They mature sexually more slowly as well, so I can keep them together for the whole time. You need more grow out space, but I have found in my area where hay is $3.50 a square bale and wheat about $15/ fifty pounds with fresh foods free for the gathering, my meat costs me about half the price of pellet-fed rabbit meat. And we like the flavour better.

Rabbits raised to 14-16 weeks are roasters, not fryers, and are slightly less fork tender. They lend themselves better to roasting, casseroles, slow cooking, pot pie and so forth than to fried rabbit dishes. That's not to say they are really tough... no more so than a nice pork chop.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

...that REALLY appeals to me as I like a firmer texture in meat. I don't mind the extra wait, either. Plus, honestly...I think they liked the grass more than they like pellets/hay. They all seemed so happy!!!

Happy rabbits make for a happy meal later on. <br /><br />__________ Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:07 pm __________<br /><br />Oh by the way...will an hour or two of grazing per day be enough (in addition to pellets and hay) for them to thrive? ...I can't leave them outside alone due to roving marauding dogs and obnoxious teens prowling around causing mayhem, and I work a LOT right now.

 

[MaggieJ]

An hour or two on good pasture will give them the chance to eat a fair bit of greens. I don't put my rabbits out on pasture. Instead I cut the greens and take them to the rabbits.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

How do you cut them? By hand? We have a lot next to our house that is perpetually overgrown, and much shadier so the grass stays more lush. How much graze should a rabbit have per day?

Thanks for all the info, btw.

 

[MaggieJ]

I just take a bucket and knife or pruning shears out and gather by hand. Some people who have more rabbits to feed will prefer a scythe. I feed some grasses, but more of the broad-leafed weeds found in the Safe Plants sticky. Right now they are getting a lot of timothy grass, dandelions, clover, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, prickly lettuce, sow thistles, and mallow. A month ago, the mix was slightly different, since the curly dock was still young and lush and the prickly lettuce and sow thistles and mallow not ready for harvesting. You just go with what is best at a certain part of the season and always feed a mix.

Once your rabbits are well accustomed to greens, they can have as much as they will eat. If they are eating more free greens (weeds!) then they need less of the purchased feeds. Remember that the invasive European weeds that people curse are the same greens that the wild European rabbit (from which our domestics are descended) have been eating since the last Ice Age. It is their natural, preferred feed.

You will soon learn how much they will eat. Any uneaten wilted weeds left by them by the next feeding should be removed. That will help you to gauge both the amount they need and the popularity of the various species of greens.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Awesome, thanks so much! The guy who owns the lot next door might be in for a pleasant surprise...I may go "harvesting," lol!!!

Besides, last time I saw him he was griping about how the city keeps threatening to fine him if it isn't mowed more often...