We’re trying to figure out feeding our rabbits as much as possible with what grows on our farm and since we just bought the buck and 2 does in April and had the first kits born (7 in one litter, 8 in the other) May 21 and 22 we are very much in the learning process. Spring was slow this year so at first we were giving them lots of willow and apple twigs just in bud or early leaf, then the first young dock, burdock, dandelion and then grass and clover as it came along. All of those (and other things) were eaten readily. At the start they were also getting pellets to which they were accustomed but seemed to prefer fresh stuff. Not long ago the pellets were finished, we bought a bag of oats and put in mineral block pieces off what we use for our goats.
Now that the grasses have headed the rabbits seem less interested in them--same for burdock leaves as they get bigger and the woody things now that they’re fully leafed out. They’ll eat a little young goldenrod but it isn’t a favorite. They have hay feeders that are filled whenever they get low, but they don’t seem to eat that much when they have green stuff in front of them. So they are getting more clover, still will eat all the plantain I give them. Some things I’ve read say grass is the base food for rabbits. Is it a problem that they’re eating less of it? Is it a problem that their feed is quite varied but not consistent day to day? (Guess that’s how we eat--asparagus every day for weeks until it’s done and by then we’ve started getting peas and strawberries and have all the greens we want for a while.) I try to refill their green feeders when they empty them, but what about when they just don’t eat something they were eating before? Should I take it out and try something else or leave it until when would be the “normal” time for another batch? I don’t want to train them to be fussy eaters. The kits are growing fast--just starting to move them out from the doe’s cages.
Also wish I understood better which things I gather meet which needs and what the balance should be--protein and energy and fiber. And wonder if sometimes they’re having trouble getting the green stuff which is held up against the cage wire from the outside. They seem to get everything pulled in when they want it--and Zach built the cages and set up the feeders--I just fill them. I’ve recently been stripping seed from the grass heads when I’m out birdwatching around the wild edges and they eat those readily--don’t know if that is better or worse than giving them the whole headed out grasses.
Sorry this is so long. We’re learning so much from the forum and from observing the rabbits.
Now that the grasses have headed the rabbits seem less interested in them--same for burdock leaves as they get bigger and the woody things now that they’re fully leafed out. They’ll eat a little young goldenrod but it isn’t a favorite. They have hay feeders that are filled whenever they get low, but they don’t seem to eat that much when they have green stuff in front of them. So they are getting more clover, still will eat all the plantain I give them. Some things I’ve read say grass is the base food for rabbits. Is it a problem that they’re eating less of it? Is it a problem that their feed is quite varied but not consistent day to day? (Guess that’s how we eat--asparagus every day for weeks until it’s done and by then we’ve started getting peas and strawberries and have all the greens we want for a while.) I try to refill their green feeders when they empty them, but what about when they just don’t eat something they were eating before? Should I take it out and try something else or leave it until when would be the “normal” time for another batch? I don’t want to train them to be fussy eaters. The kits are growing fast--just starting to move them out from the doe’s cages.
Also wish I understood better which things I gather meet which needs and what the balance should be--protein and energy and fiber. And wonder if sometimes they’re having trouble getting the green stuff which is held up against the cage wire from the outside. They seem to get everything pulled in when they want it--and Zach built the cages and set up the feeders--I just fill them. I’ve recently been stripping seed from the grass heads when I’m out birdwatching around the wild edges and they eat those readily--don’t know if that is better or worse than giving them the whole headed out grasses.
Sorry this is so long. We’re learning so much from the forum and from observing the rabbits.
Be sure to visit the Safe Plants for Rabbits sticky to get the Latin names in order to ensure an accurate identification.
