Natural Feed for Rabbits

[Cindi Davis]

Hello

I do feed pellets but they also get grass hay, fresh grass and dandilions which they love in the spring. I also feed carrots for treats. What do you think about COB feed??? Corn oats and barley ???

 

[MaggieJ]

I used to feed COB, but it got to the point where it was as expensive as individual whole grains. In addition, all the concerns about corn as a feed for rabbits influenced me. So now I feed mainly whole wheat, occasionally barley and oatmeal.

 

[Cindi Davis]

What do you think about the pellets? I have fed 16% feed to the adults and 18% to youngsters along with the hay and grass when available.I do suppliment does with a mana blend when nursing .

 

[MaggieJ]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeding pellets as part of a rabbit diet. A lot of people feed a diet of part pellets, part hay/grain/greens.

I no longer feed pellets. There are only two brands available in town. One the rabbits did not really like and the other contained animal tallow, which I consider inappropriate for herbivores. Since I was already feeding a lot of greens and hay, I just phased out the pellets. This was quite a few years ago now and I really like the natural feeding. The rabbits do not grow out as fast but the meat tastes better and there are alsolutely no digestive issues with my rabbits. It's cheaper for me too but that is not the main issue. Rabbits not getting pellets do need a trace mineral salt block... I use the red general livestock type.

 

[Cindi Davis]

MaggieJ, Thanks for your feedback, I keep mineral blocks with mine all the time just cuz there are minerals that they need more of than whats in pellets.

and its SNOWING yuck

 

[trinityoaks]

I prefer grain feed, partly because I can grow it myself if I have to, and any spilled grain can be sprouted for greens for them. I'm very glad I made that decision at the beginning, after reading of all the problems some people have had with various brands of pelleted feed.

 

[MaggieJ]

Trinity, perhaps you could share your recipe again for the benefit of the newer members.

 

[animalsrawsome]

Yes, please share!

 

[trinityoaks]

Trinity, perhaps you could share your recipe again for the benefit of the newer members.

Done! I made a new thread here:

trinity-oaks-grain-feed-mix-t6809.html

 

[curlysue]

I read an arcticle in domestic rabbits a while back that said you get more cases of enteritis with 18 percent feed.you get faster growth but thats the trade off you make.i dont feed 18 percent.