Growth difference in Pellets vs. Natural

[wild1slilfarm]

Is there a big differnce in the growth rate of rabbits feed pelleted feed vs. natural :x

 

[ottersatin]

I have not done trials or research on it but,
I certainly feel that a rabbit provided with
a properly balanced diet [Pelleted Rabbit feed]
would most likely prosper/grow more quickly
than one fed a quantity of gathered greens
ans grains. It has taken the experts years and years to
come up with the properly balanced collection of nutrients
to produce the products we call Pelleted Rabbit feed.
As always, JMPO.
Ottersatin. ldtimer: ancake:

 

[MaggieJ]

Yes, there is a big difference. Rabbits on pellets reach butchering size at 8-12 weeks. Rabbits on natural foods take 14-16 weeks.

I don't trust the "experts" very much. When you read some of the ingredients that go into commercial feed, you start to wonder. Natural feeding takes time, work and knowledge but the meat tastes better and the rabbits love the fresh food. Depending on the availability of good alfalfa hay, it can also be significantly cheaper to go natural.

Natural feeding works best in a small rabbitry. I generally have only two or three working does and a buck plus their offspring. For me it is viable and manageable and the rabbits and I like it very much.

 

[Secuono]

Takes a lot longer...slow growth from the start.
Mine were 6wks and not even 3lbs! While the last batch of kits, in cages and fed pellets, were 3lbs at 6wks.
Stressful when trying to sell breeding stock that's pastured, lol.

 

[Frecs]

Yes, there is a big difference. Rabbits on pellets reach butchering size at 8-12 weeks. Rabbits on natural foods take 14-16 weeks.

I don't trust the "experts" very much. When you read some of the ingredients that go into commercial feed, you start to wonder. Natural feeding takes time, work and knowledge but the meat tastes better and the rabbits love the fresh food. Depending on the availability of good alfalfa hay, it can also be significantly cheaper to go natural.

Natural feeding works best in a small rabbitry. I generally have only two or three working does and a buck plus their offspring. For me it is viable and manageable and the rabbits and I like it very much.

I'm with you, I don't trust the "experts". Dogs grow faster on commercial dogfood, too, but they also develop problems such as structural problems from rapid bone growth. I see the same contrast when people compare pellet fed versus grain/hay/green fed rabbits. The latter grow slower but they are structurally healthier. Whether that matters for a rabbit you intend to eat, I suppose that gets more into the difference in taste or the difference in cost per pound of meat produced.

I think we as a society have become two complacent about trusting "experts" over our own common sense. While I continue to feed pellets, I don't blindly trust the manufacturer to be an expert on what my rabbits need. I read labels and research and at this point, feed a mix which includes pellets but also sprouted grains and "weeds". I don't blindly trust medical doctors or other "experts" for my own health, I don't blindly trust them for my dogs' health, I don't blindly trust them for my rabbits' health. And, with every petfood recall or human food/pharmaceutical recall...the less I trust them.

Have you read "Food Politics"? and the one on pet foods? :x

 

[skysthelimit]

Yes, there is a big difference. Rabbits on pellets reach butchering size at 8-12 weeks. Rabbits on natural foods take 14-16 weeks.

I don't trust the "experts" very much. When you read some of the ingredients that go into commercial feed, you start to wonder. Natural feeding takes time, work and knowledge but the meat tastes better and the rabbits love the fresh food. Depending on the availability of good alfalfa hay, it can also be significantly cheaper to go natural.

Natural feeding works best in a small rabbitry. I generally have only two or three working does and a buck plus their offspring. For me it is viable and manageable and the rabbits and I like it very much.

I'm with you, I don't trust the "experts". Dogs grow faster on commercial dogfood, too, but they also develop problems such as structural problems from rapid bone growth. I see the same contrast when people compare pellet fed versus grain/hay/green fed rabbits. The latter grow slower but they are structurally healthier. Whether that matters for a rabbit you intend to eat, I suppose that gets more into the difference in taste or the difference in cost per pound of meat produced.

I think we as a society have become two complacent about trusting "experts" over our own common sense. While I continue to feed pellets, I don't blindly trust the manufacturer to be an expert on what my rabbits need. I read labels and research and at this point, feed a mix which includes pellets but also sprouted grains and "weeds". I don't blindly trust medical doctors or other "experts" for my own health, I don't blindly trust them for my dogs' health, I don't blindly trust them for my rabbits' health. And, with every petfood recall or human food/pharmaceutical recall...the less I trust them.

Have you read "Food Politics"? and the one on pet foods? :x

All animals were successfully being raised on natural food prior to the invention of "group" specific food, and they did fine, so I tend to trust the natural more, and would go completely natural if I had more time and resources, which I am working on.