Natural feeding of fiber rabbits?

[thea]

Hello.
I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences with natural feeding of angoras. My rabbits are currently eating organic pellets, some grains and seeds, hay and lots of greens. I'd like to cut out the pellets, but I don't feel like I have the knowledge to do so yet, and I want to make sure I'm not compromising wool growth. My bunnies are fiber-producing pets. Most of the posts I've come across that mention a difference in results between pellet-feeding and not seem to focus on how long it takes to raise rabbits to butchering weight. My priorities are wool growth and long, healthy lives. I don't doubt that these goals can be achieved without pellets, I just need some hand-holding.

 

[MaggieJ]

Protein percentages will be the key, I think. What percentage are the pellets you are feeding now? What percentage do you figure you are feeding overall?

Many plants have protein percentages that are comparable to alfalfa. Some tree leaves such as willow and poplar and many of the invasive European weeds are excellent. I ensure my meat mutts have enough protein by feeding alfalfa hay in addition to green feed, but I find they prefer the greens when given the choice and seem to do very well on them.

You may find the link in this thread useful:
post76774.html#p76774

 

[thea]

Thank you. That is helpful.
The pellets I'm feeding are 16% protein. I don't know about the total percentage of all the things they eat. The hay is grass hay, so that would bring it down somewhat. The grain mix I give them is rolled barley and/or oats, with a bit of wheat germ oil added, and sometimes sunflower or flax seeds. The greens vary quite a bit in type and quantity, depending on what's available and how busy I am.

 

[MaggieJ]

I think if you can get some alfalfa hay you could likely get away without the pellets. You can still feed some grass hay, maybe about 25% of their hay. What you are feeding now is less than 16%, so the alfalfa would compensate. Make any transition slowly and watch the wool quality. That and their general condition will tell you if it is adequate.