Horse feed

[Miss M]

The feed store near where we're moving mills their own horse feed. Goat feed, too, I think.

Can rabbits eat horse feed?

Just asking, because it's a lot less expensive since they mill it right there!

 

[skysthelimit]

I remember it might have been akane saying she used the horse alfalfa pellets. I saw them yesterday and thought about getting them. They were cheaper, but less in the bag, and it occurred to me that they might not have the minerals formulated like rabbit feed, and I might need a mineral block. That took the cost and work up. But it might be worth it for you.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Horse feed varies in composition as much as small animal feed- you have maintenance, performance, weanling/lactating, etc. I would get a nutrient analysis and decide from there. The size of the pellets may also affect feed consumption/waste and needs to be factored in as part of your cost analysis.

 

[Miss M]

Alright, thanks! I will see if I can get analyses on the various feeds.

Then I need to find again what the levels should be for rabbits... :roll:

It would be a very significant savings, so I will look into it!

 

[curlysue]

If it contains molasses more than a teaspoon will cause diahrea.

 

[Miss M]

If it contains molasses more than a teaspoon will cause diahrea.

Yikes! I'll keep that in mind when I check them out!

 

[akane]

You don't want to use sweet feeds but pelleted with no or at least low molasses feeds can work. The main problem is the fat is higher than in rabbit feed and the protein is lower. You have to watch their weight and their growth can be slowed a bit compared to an 18% protein rabbit pellet. Much the same as if you were feeding the more natural diets or grain diets that seem people choose to use. A legume hay like alfalfa is often used to up the protein in such diets. Most of the time I use clover hay which can be over 20% protein.

 

[Miss M]

Thanks, Akane! What would be considered "low molasses"?

I'll be going back out there Wednesday, so hopefully I can see the analyses of a few of the feeds then.

 

[MaggieJ]

If it contains molasses more than a teaspoon will cause diahrea.

More than a teaspoon in how much feed?

 

[akane]

Ingredients are listed by the amount that's in there. If it has any molasses you want it near the bottom right before the added vitamins and minerals. The more ingredients the less there is as well. Some sweet feed may have molasses after the grain making it near the end of the list but it has such a simple ingredients list that there is still a ton of molasses in a given amount. You want lots of ingredients before it.

More than a teaspoon in how much feed?

I was guessing it meant per daily feeding.

 

[Piper]

molasses - has calcium, iron and other minerals. I would have thought it would be better than tums, for calcium. Diarrhea? I hope she replies, as to her reference for that!

 

[akane]

I've been told many times not to use molasses when making small animal or poultry feed because it causes loose stools and dehydration.

 

[skysthelimit]

I've been told many times not to use molasses when making small animal or poultry feed because it causes loose stools and dehydration.

I would imagine breaking down that sugar would cause dehydration.

 

[luvabunny]

As the owner of both rabbits and horses, I would not use horse feed for rabbits, especially if the horse feed is considered a sweet feed and contains any molasses.

It has been my experience that feeds are formulated for thier proper animals, and contain the necessary ingredients, minerals, nutrients, etc, for those specific animals.

While my cats and ferrets will eat dog food, and it's the cheapest of the 3 feeds, it is not what is best for the animal.

Most good rabbit feeds contain at least 16-18% protein, while most horse feeds contain 10-12%. Rabbit feeds also usually contain more fiber than horse feeds, since it is generally considered the horse will graze or eat hay for their fiber content. Molasses is an unnecessary additive, in either horse or rabbit feed, IMO, and simply adds calories and hyper activity.

If you can find a good, solid, straight alfalfa pellet and are not raising show rabbits, and the savings is significant enough to warrant the change, then yes, rabbits can eat horse feed. Would I do it, no, but I am raising show rabbits with emphasis on build, babies, and long term investment. For rabbits that I might eat in 10-12 weeks, I might not be so picky.

 

[akane]

Actually cats and dogs can eat the same diet. We fed our cats no differently on raw than our dogs. We just had to account for their lesser ability to eat large bones. Same with horses and rabbits. A rabbit can survive on the same percentage of fat and protein as a horse. It is only humans wanting more production out of them that requires a higher protein for rabbits and fat for horses. You can also get 16 and 20% protein horse feeds. I've used them before I knew better. It's healthier long term to grow a herbivore slower on lower protein feed. Many people use 10-12% grain diets for their rabbits and prefer the outcome even though it takes a little longer. If you want short term results though such as for meat or retiring an animal long before it's lifespan would naturally be up then you push their growth to make the shows or your freezer. That's when protein levels of 16+ are seen in both horses and rabbits.

The only real health problem with a pelleted low or no molasses horse feed is like I said the fat percentage. Rabbits don't deal with fat the same as large livestock. Instead of the "marbling" effect where the fat is evenly distributed in the muscle rabbits tend to just pack it as pure fat in the abdomen causing fertility problems. There is a slower growth problem from lack of protein but this is not actually a health problem since it's healthier to grow slower.

 

[Miss M]

Thank you all! I feel like I've got a nice amount of information I can use to evaluate the feeds now.

I know that feeds are formulated species-specific, but I also know that horses and rabbits have some very interesting similarities. That's why I thought the feeds just might be really similar. I'll definitely take a closer look!

Thanks to SatinsRule, I've got a good evaluation of the rabbit feed they have there, too, so I can go there well-armed with info Wednesday!

 

[Piper]

Instead of the "marbling" effect where the fat is evenly distributed in the muscle rabbits tend to just pack it as pure fat in the abdomen causing fertility problems. There is a slower growth problem from lack of protein but this is not actually a health problem since it's healthier to grow slower.

Are guinea pigs the same as rabbits? I had their protein requirements at 17%. This would mean that with hay, suitable vegetation that I could feed the same grain as rabbits. I have a neutered male that looks like he is getting fat. If I can feed him the same grain mix as rabbits with an daily rose hip (for vit C), I can put him on a diet. Will be good practice, if I ever have an overweight rabbit.

 

[Diamond]

I would stay away from the grain-based feeds, but if they offer feeds based on alfalfa or chopped hay (there is a product known as TACO- timothy, alfalfa, corn, oats) you can use it to supplement your rabbits. Protein is the ultimate winner. If the feed mill does make their own feed they may be able to customize something for you. I am big on using local resources, we get all of our livestock feed (for chickens, pigs) milled by a local farmer.

 

[akane]

Are guinea pigs the same as rabbits? I had their protein requirements at 17%. This would mean that with hay, suitable vegetation that I could feed the same grain as rabbits.

There isn't enough information on guinea pigs as meat animals outside their native country to draw any real conclusions yet. The ones I've butchered that were overweight had the most fat packed around the shoulder area. I'm basically flying blind when it comes to using the guinea pigs as meat and finding the best and fastest way to raise them for meat because there is too little info for our country. The best resource I've found so far is a show breeder forum for the UK but that still doesn't cover meat purposes just help with growth rates.