Protein levels for Pregnant/Nursing Does -- and other ???

[Frecs]

I was reviewing the protein content of the pellets I feed my rabbits (they are still on primarily pellets though I hope to transition them off completely eventually) and realized I likely need to up the protein for my breeding does.

I use MannaPro Select Series Pro as that is the only MannaPro product I can locate at my feed store other than Purina. This product has 16% protein. (Their Gro series has 18%.) They suggest, as do other sources, that pregnant/lactating does should get 18% protein. True? Also, in looking at the comparison between Pro and their Sho series there are other items I wonder about... So, here are my questions:

1. Will wheatgrass fodder increase their protein sufficiently?
2. Are there other sprouts (lentils for example) that they can eat and that would up their protein?
3. How do I ever begin to know what the protein % is when I give weeds and other greens, BOSS, whole oats, and such as supplements? :?
4. Probiotics -- the Sho has probiotics...is there a way for me to provide this? raw ACV? Kombucha?
5. Chelated minerals -- the Sho has this. seems to me that a good variety of fresh greens would cover the nutritional bases much better and that is what I am working toward. We've just had a slow go with the transition this year for several reasons. But, what are ya'll's thoughts on mineral supplements while pellets are the main diet?

So, what say ye?

 

[skysthelimit]

I have never fed my does anything other than Pro 26% and they raised litters of 7-12 easily.

I wonder about #3, as I have no idea what it really does when I add BOSS.
i don't worry about probiotics if I don't have a problem.
If you are feeding pellets, I would not worry about minerals either. Once you start going off the pellets, then you have to try to balance everything.

Pellets are meant to be complete, not supplemented, so anything you add is above and beyond what the pellet offers. With so much supplementation, you shouldn't even need 18% feed, if you need it at all.

 

[Frecs]

I have never fed my does anything other than Pro 26% and they raised litters of 7-12 easily.

I wonder about #3, as I have no idea what it really does when I add BOSS.
i don't worry about probiotics if I don't have a problem.
If you are feeding pellets, I would not worry about minerals either. Once you start going off the pellets, then you have to try to balance everything.

Pellets are meant to be complete, not supplemented, so anything you add is above and beyond what the pellet offers. With so much supplementation, you shouldn't even need 18% feed, if you need it at all.

I don't have access to a 26% pellet food nor do I want to stick to pellets. But, based on your last statement, it is your contention that protein percentage is a mote point with a more natural diet (more fresh greens, sprouts, fodder, hay, etc and less pellets)...correct?

 

[skysthelimit]

I have never fed my does anything other than Pro 26% and they raised litters of 7-12 easily.

I wonder about #3, as I have no idea what it really does when I add BOSS.
i don't worry about probiotics if I don't have a problem.
If you are feeding pellets, I would not worry about minerals either. Once you start going off the pellets, then you have to try to balance everything.

Pellets are meant to be complete, not supplemented, so anything you add is above and beyond what the pellet offers. With so much supplementation, you shouldn't even need 18% feed, if you need it at all.

I don't have access to a 26% pellet food nor do I want to stick to pellets. But, based on your last statement, it is your contention that protein percentage is a mote point with a more natural diet (more fresh greens, sprouts, fodder, hay, etc and less pellets)...correct?

I'm sorry typing too fast, in the dark. 16%. I have never feed more than 16% to nursing does or kits.<br /><br />__________ Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:01 pm __________<br /><br />

But, based on your last statement, it is your contention that protein percentage is a mote point with a more natural diet (more fresh greens, sprouts, fodder, hay, etc and less pellets)...correct?

No, but for the time that you are still feeding pellets, and if you are feeding these fresh things as supplements, you don't need 18% feed.


From feeding a raw diet to my dogs, what' sin the bag is what's in the bag, but putting together a natural diet that gets all of the pieces right to equal what's in the bag is more complicated. What we usually say in a raw diet is balance over time, not trying to balance everything at once.
With the natural diet, you feed a combination of things for balance, and add a mineral block. I still don't think you need probiotics as a regular supplement, and I think Feed manufactures add it partially as a gimmick to seem more health conscience.

 

[Frecs]

That makes sense. Rabbits certainly don't eat the same thing everyday in the wild.

Funny, when I started feeding my dogs natural I was all worked up about the numbers but finally chilled out and saved myself a lot of worry and angst. Now, I'm driving myself crazy about my bunnies. My issue with the rabbits is the same as the dogs -- my purpose is to feed them better so they are healthier than if they ate commercial. But, what constitutes "better" or optimal? That is the question. Dogs are omnivores with a strong leaning toward meat. Rabbits are herbivores, period. Simple and yet...not...oh, I could make myself dizzy....

Growing fodder is my new obsession...I am starting on the adventure to get a system going for the rabbits and chickens...

 

[skysthelimit]

I was the same, had a nice excel spreadsheet for the dogs. I weighed each serving. Not any more.

I wish I could feed the rabbits natural as well, but living in the city with minimum gardening space, lack of feed stores with grains and the short growing year, it's not feasible.

Growing fodder is a great thing if you have time and space.

In my opinion, getting it wrong with raw is better than getting it all there with processed feeds.

 

[3mina]

In my opinion, getting it wrong with raw is better than getting it all there with processed feeds.

I totally agree, my dogs have their own freezer and it's bigger than mine :lol: