Need expert opinions on alfalfa

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Dad comes home from a farm sale yesterday with 10 bales of alfalfa. He's all proud of himself because of the "deal" he got. Mom says that's great but that alfalfa isn't good for rabbits.

I go on the internet and see posts saying that alfalfa shouldn't be given to adult rabbits because of its high calcium content. I feed our rabbits (New Zealands) regular rabbit feed and supplement with hay. I have no experience with alfalfa.

Please advise.

 

[ZRabbits]

Wish I could help, but I don't have your breed of rabbits. I have small and a Flemish. And I don't feed them like you do. I do know Alfalfa is high in calcium and I feed alfalfa (in pellet form) to my rabbits until they are 6 months. Longer for my doe, but she's been switched just recently. Know as pets, will get fat on alfalfa.

Hope someone can give you some advise. I read some threads in the Natural Feed section that some do use alfalfa, but with grains. More natural feeding. And their rabbits are thriving.

Karen

 

[akane]

Pet rabbits should not have alfalfa if on pellets because they don't need it. Working rabbits though are frequently fed alfalfa because they are using the nutrients to breed or to improve coat quality for shows and it's important to use if you are not feeding pellets because of the protein content it adds.

 

[Miss M]

From what I've read on here, alfalfa can indeed be a problem for pet rabbits that are not bred, but it is not a problem at all for rabbits that are bred.

Alfalfa can be the main part of a working herd's diet, with grain supplementing. Maggie feeds her meat rabbit herd just like this, in fact.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

They can be feed to rabbits if you are breeding them or raising young ones. :You can go one day grass hay then the next day alfalfa hay until you use it up. Not a big deal.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I am not familiar with the concern over high calcium in alfalfa, and most rabbit pellets have alfalfa as the main ingredient. Supplementing with alfalfa hay which has a high protein content can add too much protein to the diet. Usually people supplement a pellet diet with grass hay which has lower protein.

When I did feed pellets, I would try to alternate alfalfa and grass hay, but it was dependent on what I had available as feed for my horses and goats.

I feed mixed grains instead of pellets to my rabbits and feed free choice alfalfa hay. An option for you might be to feed grain instead of pellets a few times a week and give the hay on those days, or simply withhold or lessen the pellet ration on "hay days". My grain mix is 4 parts each oats and barley to one part each of BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) and beet pulp.

 

[akane]

Alfalfa has the same percentage of protein as rabbit pellets so how can it be too much protein. It's by percentage so they aren't getting more in the alfalfa than they are getting in the pellets. Besides we use clover hay that gets up to 20% without problems. You want to use alfalfa hay for the protein. Grass hay will drop your 16 or 18% down several numbers which is undesirable in working rabbits. They just pee the excess out. You'll notice less and not as smelly of urine if you drop protein percents.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

You'll notice less and not as smelly of urine if you drop protein percents.

That is true,, But the rabbits dont do as well..They should have at least 16 and up protien. If they are in a cold climate and working. Then need even more. That is where the boss comes in.. and alfalfa hay ect. You best bet is alfafla and grass hay mixed. If you can get that . You are doing good. I was lucky to find it without costing a whole lot. It is higher in calcium . better for young babies and mothers.. As for bucks. they say not. but i have yet have a problem with that. Some rabbits pig out on it and get a sour gut. So I dont believe in giving unlimited hay when it comes to alfalfa hay. but in grass hay ,, Yes...

 

[3mina]

If your rabbits are outside and working then the alfalfa hay should work just fine, I feed pellets and alfalfa cubes both and have had no problems at all. I also work my rabbits pretty hard so they use up everything I give them.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Alfalfa has the same percentage of protein as rabbit pellets so how can it be too much protein.

Excellent point. The calcium content seems to be fine as well. The only nutrient analysis of alfalfa that I have found that mentions calcium was on Barbi Brown's website:

http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/hay.htm

Depending on the cutting it is between 1.08 and 1.28%. I compared it to some of Purina's feeds, and it falls within their parameters. The "Professional Formula" contains between .80 to 1.30% calcium, "Show" 0.70 to 1.20%.

http://www.rabbitchow.com/PRODUCTS/ECMD2-0019046.aspx

 

[trinityoaks]

It depends on what else you are feeding them. If they are getting pellets, alfalfa may not be necessary. My rabbits are grain-fed (no pellets at all), and alfalfa is their main source of protein. In addition, my rabbits are livestock (working rabbits, living outdoors), not indoor pets.

 

[Miss M]

Interesting about the calcium content. There really is no difference.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I feed alfalfa and timothy mix here and everyone is doing just fine on it. I also feed manna pro sho.

 

[ZRabbits]

Sounds like it depends on what your rabbits are used for. Since mine are indoor, in a control environment, they don't need that much alfalfa. And since they are not being shown, another reason I switched to timothy pellets and timothy hay at 6 months. I do suppliment with greens and good healthy treats. All my rabbits have done well with this combination. My Lion heads have kept their manes and skirts so I guess condition of coat is good on this formula. My first litter is doing well and are forming their manes and skirts as well at 7 weeks, which is the pattern with Lion Heads.

Karen

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Thanks everyone - these are not pet rabbits. They're meat rabbits that produce 4 or 5 litters per year. I keep them in an unheated barn - out of the weather but plenty of fresh air and light. They get a tuna can of feed every night and all the hay they want. Have not had any health problems - does & buck breed willingly - fryers dress out nicely with only a little fat.

Pellet label says it's 16% protien. I may check with the feed store and see what other options are available.

 

[3mina]

If it ain't broke,don't fix it. Sounds like its working for you