Grains??

[Farm Girl]

On Craigslist somebody has organic grains for sale. Are these prices good?

$12/30lb bag BOSS .40/lb

$14/50lb Oats:whole .28/lb

$12.50/50lb Barley:whole .25/lb

$12/50lb wheat .24/lb

Does anybody feed their rabbits wheat? How about corn?

Here is what these people feed their rabbits.
Of course mine would get more since they aren't in movable pens. But part wise is that good?
I'm thinking this ration instead of pellets.

RABBITS

Our Rabbits are grass-fed in movable pens

and receive garden scraps regularly. They
recieve 2-4 oz. of this ration in the evening;

Alfalfa Pellets 3 parts

Corn 1 part

Barley 1/2 part

Oats 1/2 part
Sunflower 1/2 part

Winter=morning and evening fed rations,
and rabbits are moved into above-ground
hutches 'till spring.<br /><br />__________ Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:12 am __________<br /><br />There was also alfalfa pellets:sundried. 15% protein
18.50/50lb .37/lb

 

[Anntann]

http://www.lionsgrip.com/protein.html is an excellent place to look at protein levels for various grains. It's a CHICKEN feeding website, but other than corn, the grains are also fed to rabbits.
Wheat, Barley, Oats are great feed My rabbits enjoy the smorgasbord when I feed mixed grains. They sort of browse around. Oats are the last eaten, interestingly.

Corn...is a problem. I will NOT feed it as part of my normal grains. Corn has a very hard outer layer which is very hard to get through or for bunny to digest. Cracked corn ferments very quickly. There have been numerous reports of corn fermenting and causing trouble in rabbits. Corn also has a problem with mycotoxins forming. In most animals it's not a problem (particularly goats, chickens, and cattle) but with rabbits, it's deadly.

That said....it seems to me that if a rabbit is RAISED on a feed that has a small portion of corn in it, they can adapt to it. The biggest problem I see with corn is that it's a FILLER in feeds. It's LOW protein level and HIGH in carbs...giving you fat and not muscle.

Alfalfa...alfalfa actually varies in protein levels depending on when it's harvested...from a high of about 30%, to a low of around 13%.

BOSS...I recently had a rather violent argument with someone on another site about the protein levels of BOSS (or any sunflower seeds). She was ranting and raving and calling me all sorts of names (*****, fool, liar are a few) because I insisted that sunflower seeds are high in protein. She finally responded to my repeated requests of "where are you getting the 12% number?"....She scanned the label from the bag..sure enough it said 12% protein. BUT....she was feeding the whole thing..seed and hull.

I suspect a lot of people make the same mistake. When you buy a bag of bird feed BOSS, you're buying seed and hull. It's the SEED....the part that is the "nut meat" that is high in protein. The HULL is almost pure fiber (ALSO good for bunny). One cup of seed-in-hull is actually 1/3cup seed, 2/3cup hull. :shrug:

 

[trinityoaks]

I feed a grain mix of 6 parts whole oats, 1 part whole wheat, and 1 part barley (can get only crimped here). In winter, I add 1 part BOSS. I won't feed corn for the same reasons Ann outlined.

As for prices, that's about what I pay for my BOSS, but the others are higher than what I pay. I would check a feed store or grain mill near you to compare prices.

@Ann: I didn't realize anyone fed only the "nut meat" part of the BOSS, and maybe your correspondent didn't, either. I feed the whole thing, hull and all, because, as you mentioned, the hulls are good fiber for the buns.

 

[Anntann]

nod @trinity. I totally understand that. I only feed the whole thing, too. BUT when you're arguing about protein levels, you have to understand WHAT part you're figuring as your feed, know what I mean? So you have to think "i need to up the protein level by 1%, to do that I need to feed <1cup> of the 26% seed...so that's <3cups> of the stuff"

that's why it got heated. I was talking about just the protein laden inner part...she was talking about the hull.

 

[PulpFaction]

Hmm, the prices you list are comparable to only slightly less than what I pay up here. The oats cost the same as what I pay, which is surprising. All of our grains are in the $14 per 50lb range except for wheat, which is more. BOSS is generally much more than that for me, too.

However, that said, if you can get them all at one place and they are fresh and good quality, go for it. I concur with what others have said about corn. Some people feed it and their rabbits do ok, but I have to wonder how well those same rabbits would do without it. Bottom line is that it is highly controversial with most of the evidence pointing towards it not being great, so if you have other options, go with those.

 

[Farm Girl]

Thank you guys that was very helpful.
I hope I'll be able to buy that stuff in smaller amounts, not have 200lbs for 4 rabbits.
Could I freeze the extra so the bugs won't get in?

What about alfalfa do any of you feed that?
Trinityoaks is your 6 parts oats 1 part wheat & 1 part barley, the right amount of protein for the buns?
Or do you give them something else too? :shrug:

 

[PulpFaction]

I feed alfalfa. Unless you're going with a soy-based protein source or some other protein concentrate (neither of which I would recommend, even with my limited experience!) you pretty much have to feed alfalfa in one form or another. Dairy quality alfalfa hay seems to be the highest protein, which means you need the least of it. Alfalfa pellets and cubes in my area have MUCH lower protein levels, to the point that if I fed either it would have to be almost the entire diet to meet the protein requirements, and then other parts of the diet would suffer.

 

[MaggieJ]

I feed whole wheat to my rabbits. They also like oats and barley. I prefer not to feed corn, for the reasons stated. I totally agree about the need for alfalfa if you are not feeding pellets. A bit of soy can be used to up the protein, but it is not the easiest thing for rabbits to digest and should only comprise a small percentage of their ration.

 

[Farm Girl]

I would rather not feed soybeans, because I have heard it decreases fertility.
So feeding TO's ration and a handful of good alfalfa hay would be good?
And if theres no hay how many parts of Alfalfa pellets would I have to use?
Thanks, Farm Girl

 

[trinityoaks]

Could I freeze the extra so the bugs won't get in?

I would freeze it for a few days to a few weeks (depending on the bags you put it in--you want it to freeze all the way to the center of the bag), and then you can just take it out and store it in air-tight containers.

What about alfalfa do any of you feed that?
Trinityoaks is your 6 parts oats 1 part wheat & 1 part barley, the right amount of protein for the buns?
Or do you give them something else too? :shrug:

Yes, my buns get free-choice alfalfa hay, also, as well as whatever bunny-safe greens I can manage to find. If you grain-feed (no pellets), make sure you give them a salt/mineral block, also. I prefer the 4-lb blocks labeled for goats--much less expensive than the itty-bitty bunny disks at the feed store.<br /><br />__________ Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:01 pm __________<br /><br />

And if theres no hay how many parts of Alfalfa pellets would I have to use?

If you're using alfalfa pellets, 4 parts pellets to the rest of the mix should be good.

 

[Farm Girl]

Well I figured it out and 230lbs of the differant grains would cost me $69.00. While 225lbs of pellets would cost me $45.00.
So it would be aprox. $24 more for 230 lbs than pellets but it would certainly be better for the buns.

I will have to check on alfalfa hay prices around here.

The only problem is that the place that carries the grain is a ways away.
And gas cost SO much. ARGH :angry:

 

[SaratogaNZW]

Im not seeing anyone intentionally adding Cane Molasses to their grain mix. I know as far as other farm animals go, its to add fat and most of all, palletability, Most farm critters have a sweet tooth!

I am transitioning right now through a mix that contains a 4-piece winter cob, 4th part being molasses. The rabbits do love it!. Plus, except for the pellets, it looks and smells like the musli or granola my good wife is trying to get me to gag down for breakfast! All in all there is as much molasses as corn in my finished mix, which is small amounts. Are they going to miss the sweets when I mix again?

 

[MaggieJ]

You can phase it out. Just cut it by half, then half again... and then to none. They may miss it but I've never had any trouble doing that.

 

[dearsrock]

I got my oats yesterday and mixed some with the pellets. Everyone cleaned their bowls up, so that is a good thing. But after I fed I had iches all over where I had exposed skin. It felt like little splinters. I can only think it was from the oats. The label says rolled oats. My other option was twice cleaned oats, but the protein was less. Any thoughts on this?

Also, I went with the 50# bag of BOSS as the price difference was $2 lb for the smaller bag vs .50 cents a lb for the bigger one. The lady said they go stale fast, so wondering what experiences you folks have. I was thinking of just freezing the seeds not in use, but they will take a good part of my freezer.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Renee
S CA

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molasses
I got curious about molasses and looked it up. Its very interesting, especially about the Blackstrap molasses. Also down at the bottom of the page there were some very interesting tidbits. To me it looks like its not so bad in the grain after all!

Dearsrock; maybe you can sprout some of that boss and feed it like that? I am assuming that its whole with shells lol!!

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I have a source of double cleaned, heavy racehorse oats--the rabbits loved them.
MOST meat rabbit people do not feed corn because it turns the body fat yellow- a no-no for processing. A neihbor who raises grass fed cattle and sheep indicates corn 'sweetens' the flavor of the meat.(personaly, I have noticed Iprefer the flavor of, and actually feel full sooner, when eating grass fed) I have given my buns fresh corn-on-the-cob- the corn for energy, the cob as a way both entertain them,give them a tooth conditioner. Anytime I fed dried corn, I made sure i soaked it to soften it-- a friend who raises horses says if its not cracked, the horses don't get it-- it is too much like chewing rocks for them.

 

[dearsrock]

My feed store offered me wheat germ as an alternative to the wheat berries. Seems it would be higher in protein. Tried an internet search, but didn't find anything remotely scientific this morning Any thoughts? Seems I would have to find a way to bind it to the rest of the feed as it is so fine.

Renee
S CA

 

[MaggieJ]

Wheat germ can cause diarrhea in large quantities. I would not feed it except a couple of teaspoons for a rabbit needing a Vitamin E boost. And whole wheat will give it the same boost without the problems.

Why does your feed store not have whole grain wheat? Is it a regional thing or were they just out? Oats and barley are both excellent for rabbits. In fact, in your climate I would prefer them. They are "cooler" feeds.

 

[dearsrock]

Thanks, yes my store has the whole wheat, and barley, they just had the other and mentioned it. Will stick to the whole grains. Tomorrow we will be completely changed over. I did get the salt/mineral. I just have to figure out how to put in there so that it is not on the wire and not going to get soiled. The only problem is now my chickens are stalking me when I feed

Rabbits love it!

Renee
S CA

 

[MaggieJ]

When my rabbits were in cages, I bought the brick sized mineral block and took a hammer to it to knock off pieces. I put those in small ramekins (straight-sided bowls) and popped one into each cage. Worked great... got the ramekins at the dollar store, 2 or 3 for a dollar.