Protein 16% or 18% and/or calf manna 25%

[KelleyBee]

So, I have a question about protein for our rabbits. I feed my breeders a16% protein pellet because this is what the previous breeder was feeding them when I purchased them. Then working does get a daily ration of 1 TBSP BOSS and 1 TBSP Calf Manna at 25% protein. I have growouts on 18% protein pellets and I also give them (because they are growing) the same daily supplemental ration I give to my working does. Non-working does and bucks just get the 16% pellet.

I am wondering if you with more experience would think I could simplify my feeding by giving my grow outs the same exact 16% pellets plus the supplemental rations and forego the 18% pellets for them. The 18% is much more expensive than the 16%, so that would be a great help.

Thank you for your experienced advice!

 

[eco2pia]

Mine are all on 17% because that was what was available. supplemented with hay alfalfa mix also about 17% and garden trimmings at who knows. For me that worked, and the priority was to have good enough (freshly milled at my local feed mill) feed that I could get as cheaply as possible. My new rabbits seem to be able to get fat on that, so I need to either start restricting pellets or work them harder. I would use weight as your guide--if they are growing fast, then good, if they slow down and that is a problem... Basically it is cost to benefit analysis. If you are breeding for meat you are breeding for speed to harvest. If it costs you 20% more to reach harvest 20% faster then it is working out to be the same. If it costs you 40% more and you can only harvest 2 days earlier...bah, not worth it to me. And for some of us with small families, one trio could drown us in meat easily, so going a little slower with cheaper feed is kind of a plus.

 

[KelleyBee]

Mine are all on 17% because that was what was available. supplemented with hay alfalfa mix also about 17% and garden trimmings at who knows. For me that worked, and the priority was to have good enough (freshly milled at my local feed mill) feed that I could get as cheaply as possible. My new rabbits seem to be able to get fat on that, so I need to either start restricting pellets or work them harder. I would use weight as your guide--if they are growing fast, then good, if they slow down and that is a problem... Basically it is cost to benefit analysis. If you are breeding for meat you are breeding for speed to harvest. If it costs you 20% more to reach harvest 20% faster then it is working out to be the same. If it costs you 40% more and you can only harvest 2 days earlier...bah, not worth it to me. And for some of us with small families, one trio could drown us in meat easily, so going a little slower with cheaper feed is kind of a plus.

I think that makes sense. I’m not in a hurry and I am breeding for the meat for the family, but only because I want to be more self reliant and less reliant upon grocery supply chains for survival. That’s actually my bottom line.

 

[a7736100]

I use both 16% and 18% depending which is on sale. One Southern State dealer sells 18% premium pellets $20 for 50 pound bag. Each store sets its own prices. There are regular coupons if you buy more than $25 or $50. However Tractor Supply had a sale for a few weeks for the 16% Manor Pro at $17.50. So when I need to get pellets I check the current prices.

 

[KelleyBee]

I use both 16% and 18% depending which is on sale. One Southern State dealer sells 18% premium pellets $20 for 50 pound bag. Each store sets its own prices. There are regular coupons if you buy more than $25 or $50. However Tractor Supply had a sale for a few weeks for the 16% Manor Pro at $17.50. So when I need to get pellets I check the current prices.

Where do you find the coupons?

 

[eco2pia]

I think that makes sense. I’m not in a hurry and I am breeding for the meat for the family, but only because I want to be more self reliant and less reliant upon grocery supply chains for survival. That’s actually my bottom line.

Then just make slow changes and watch (and measure) the outcome. My does are getting fat, and even my buck--this new trio is clearly much more feed efficient than my previous line. That is great! I have responded by giving pellets every other day, and leaving free choice hay. And re-breeding, lol.

I could bump down a level, but locally the 17% is half the price of big national brands, and fresher too. So it is the cheapest option, and I am happy to see that I have good foundation stock this time. My kits also seem to grow rapidly to fryer size and then hit a wall--these rabbits have a larger frame than my NZ did, and I suspect they are putting on bone density. Arguably that could be a bad thing for feed conversion ratio, but I rather like that their feet are so sturdy, and their fur is so thick.

Things to watch for (poor/not enough feed)--weight loss, dull coat, cold intolerance, lower kit birth weights, lower weights at 4 weeks (milk production decrease), lower weights at harvest.

Things to watch for (too much/too rich feed)--rolls!! super fat kits that can't get up and move. Lack of interest in breeding, inability to conceive. Lack of interest in...much of anything really. No excitement at feeding time.

 

[a7736100]

Where do you find the coupons?

My Coupons | Southern States Co-op

Depending on the store, some have coupons and other don't. Some accept coupons even if it's not on their website. Usually coupons are good for a week and usually there's a coupon every month.

 

[Rabbits by Accident]

My new rabbits seem to be able to get fat on that, so I need to either start restricting pellets or work them harder.

That gave me an instant vision of a bunch of little rabbits in a sweatshop, or maybe rowing a sailing ship or tied to one of those wheels they do the horses that make them walk around in circles.



Actually I do wonder, what exactly do you mean by working them harder? Breeding them? Or have you figured out a way to harness them to create electricity?

Liz

 

[WylieCoyote]

They gave me an instant vision of a bunch of little rabbits in a sweatshop, or maybe rowing a sailing ship or tied to one of those wheels they do the horses that make them walk around in circles.



Actually I do wonder, what exactly do you mean by working them harder? Breeding them? Or have you figured out a way to harness them to create electricity?

Liz

LOL

 

[eco2pia]

That gave me an instant vision of a bunch of little rabbits in a sweatshop, or maybe rowing a sailing ship or tied to one of those wheels they do the horses that make them walk around in circles.



Actually I do wonder, what exactly do you mean by working them harder? Breeding them? Or have you figured out a way to harness them to create electricity?

Liz

Lol, yes, breeding more. Females especially expend a lot of calories to feed their young, so the solution to an excessively pudgy doe is to feed a bit less and breed a bit more if you are breeding for meat. If they are a pet they will need even more calorie restriction. I don't have enough females to keep my buck busy enough, but his appetite is a little more self regulated.

I love the image of bunnies rowing a huge ship, with their little paws on oars...Like something Beatrix Potter might have painted.