New rabbits not eating.

[6riversfarms]

The Americans I went and got saturday don't seem to be eating.The breeder was feeding the exact pellets that I feed so I don't think there is a whole lot of change there since the feed comes from the same mill. She told me they get an 8 fluid ounce cup a day. Which translates to 6 oz of pellets because I weighed it. She was feeding timothy hay and I am feeding bremuda hay. The rabbits seem to be eating the bermuda I am giving them but don't seem interested in the pellets much. They MIGHT BE eating 1/3 of the pellets I am giving them and the doe is probably eating less than that.

Her rabbitry was much cooler and less humid than mine. Could this be a factor?

I appreciate all thoughts and suggestions.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Her rabbitry was much cooler and less humid than mine. Could this be a factor?

Yes it could- calories equal heat, so our needs change according to temperature. The colder the weather, the more calories we need to "burn".

How is their water consumption? Unless you have the exact same system as the breeder, it may have dropped, and their appetites with it. If you are not already doing so, give them crocks of water in addition to any valves/roller ball waterers during their initial transition.

They may also find the bermuda hay to be very appetizing because it is a new feed, so their pellet consumption dropped as a result.

 

[skysthelimit]

When I first got Elmo, he hardly ate for two weeks after I got him. He ate the hay, but not the pellets. Seems to me like he was in a bad mood, took him a while to warm up to me, and when he did, he started eating regular.

 

[6riversfarms]

Her rabbitry was much cooler and less humid than mine. Could this be a factor?

Yes it could- calories equal heat, so our needs change according to temperature. The colder the weather, the more calories we need to "burn".

How is their water consumption? Unless you have the exact same system as the breeder, it may have dropped, and their appetites with it. If you are not already doing so, give them crocks of water in addition to any valves/roller ball waterers during their initial transition.

They may also find the bermuda hay to be very appetizing because it is a new feed, so their pellet consumption dropped as a result.

Their water consumption does seem a little low maybe. I will add crocks to their cages in the AM.

When I first got Elmo, he hardly ate for two weeks after I got him. He ate the hay, but not the pellets. Seems to me like he was in a bad mood, took him a while to warm up to me, and when he did, he started eating regular.

I hope this is the case here too. I really like these two rabbits and I would hate it if anything happened to them.

 

[ladysown]

generally, as long as new rabbits are eating something they tend to be okay.

it's when they don't eat at all OR they don't poop that you have issues.

I've had new rabbits here pick at their feed for three weeks to two months before they settled in.

smells, noise, routines all mess with bunny heads. A standby for me if I'm particularly concerned is to offer well soaked parsley Or to put them in a rabbit run on the grass while doing morning chores.

 

[Secuono]

generally, as long as new rabbits are eating something they tend to be okay.

it's when they don't eat at all OR they don't poop that you have issues.

I've had new rabbits here pick at their feed for three weeks to two months before they settled in.

smells, noise, routines all mess with bunny heads. A standby for me if I'm particularly concerned is to offer well soaked parsley Or to put them in a rabbit run on the grass while doing morning chores.

Ah fresh grass! That will make all but the sickest of rabbits eat! Mine mob me for it...but then once on pasture, they mob me for pellets...go figure.

 

[ilovehome]

When I got my first Americans, they did the same thing. I was worried about them, too. But they started eating pellets like normal after about 3 weeks, or so.

 

[SatinsRule]

A couple of celery stalks might be just what the doctor ordered. It works for me when rabbits don't want to eat for whatever reason.

Also, did you bother getting some feed from the person you bought it from? If not, you need to do so. Rabbits should be transitioned from one feed to another gradually, not all at once.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

A couple of celery stalks might be just what the doctor ordered. It works for me when rabbits don't want to eat for whatever reason.

Also, did you bother getting some feed from the person you bought it from? If not, you need to do so. Rabbits should be transitioned from one feed to another gradually, not all at once.

Pretty sure she said that they feed the same pellets, Satins....

 

[6riversfarms]

They both ate a lot better last night. I appreciate the input guys and gals. They do seem to be shyer....shyer... Wait, that is not even a word is it? :| .... Anyway. They are more timid tham they were at the breeders. We will bring em around.

A couple of celery stalks might be just what the doctor ordered. It works for me when rabbits don't want to eat for whatever reason.

Also, did you bother getting some feed from the person you bought it from? If not, you need to do so. Rabbits should be transitioned from one feed to another gradually, not all at once.

Pretty sure she said that they feed the same pellets, Satins....

Yup. The breeder and I both use the exact same feed from the same mill.

Oh and she is a he :lol:

 

[OneAcreFarm]

They both ate a lot better last night. I appreciate the input guys and gals. They do seem to be shyer....shyer... Wait, that is not even a word is it? :| .... Anyway. They are more timid tham they were at the breeders. We will bring em around.

Pretty sure she said that they feed the same pellets, Satins....

Yup. The breeder and I both use the exact same feed from the same mill.

Oh and she is a he :lol:

Sorry, Sir! :lol:

 

[6riversfarms]

They both ate a lot better last night. I appreciate the input guys and gals. They do seem to be shyer....shyer... Wait, that is not even a word is it? :| .... Anyway. They are more timid tham they were at the breeders. We will bring em around.

Pretty sure she said that they feed the same pellets, Satins....

Yup. The breeder and I both use the exact same feed from the same mill.

Oh and she is a he :lol:

Sorry, Sir! :lol:

It's all good OAF I take it there are more lady folk than man folk on here :mrgreen: :lol:

 

[skysthelimit]

It's all good OAF I take it there are more lady folk than man folk on here :mrgreen: :lol:

We should take a poll...

 

[fuzzy9]

Glad to see this thread because the new little black and white I have is barely eating. Big change in surroundings though. She eats like a little bird, and I'm trying to put weight on her, not lose weight. She didn't even touch her oatmeal or BOSS last night. What a finicky fart! :lol: