Purina Show or Professional?

[KatzNetherlands]

Which food is better to get? I obviousely have netherlands, and want to keep them in good condition all year, but especially for shows... My current food is not cutting it....

Thanks! :bunnyhop:

 

[SatinsRule]

Both are decent feeds, but Professional can be a challenge to find at first, at least around here.

Far more people use their Show formula, but I liked the Professional formula better when I was feeding it. You feed less of it.

 

[bunnygal]

Sho formula is best. Pro formula (which is what I use) contains 18% protein and geared toward nursing rabbits and growing kits. It doesn't do much for coat health like show rabbits need.

 

[Pickles]

They are both slightly different from each other...
Professional formula contains corn (which I dont like in my feed), but its high protein
Show formula is corn-free, but has added vegetable oil & is lower in protein.

 

[SatinsRule]

Sho formula is best. Pro formula (which is what I use) contains 18% protein and geared toward nursing rabbits and growing kits. It doesn't do much for coat health like show rabbits need.

FWIW, my Satin rabbits' coats actually improved while they were on it over the way they looked while being fed Show formula. As for it being geared toward nursing rabbits and growing kits, this is Purina's own description of the product:

Purina® Rabbit Chow™ Professional Natural AdvantEdge™ is a completely balanced food specially formulated to produce shiny fur, rapid growth and excellent reproduction. This nutrient dense formula is our highest protein and highest energy food, making it the perfect choice for those who desire accelerated breeding and/or lustrous fur growth, all while feeding less per day.

In other words, Professional blend is an all-around, higher-protein feed which has a variety of uses, and is perfectly appropriate for people raising show rabbits. As another previous poster stated, it contains corn but not vegetable oil.

Is it perfect? No, and it creates a real concern for people who live in regions where long hours of extreme heat and humidity are common because it tends to ruin their appetites in that type of climate. That explains alot of why I'm switching from it.

 

[KatzNetherlands]

I ordered both... 50LB Bags for $20 each....

Would it be bad to mix them together and give them that?? Kind of the best of both worlds?

 

[SatinsRule]

Katz, neither one is necessarily a bad feed, and Checkerboard Square (Purina) has the sales numbers on both formulas to prove it. Are there better, more consistent products on the market? Yes, but finding those other brands in certain areas is a real challenge.

Because Purina is instantly recognizable to most people as it relates to animal feeds, they're going to sell product, but showmen wouldn't use it like they do if it wasn't a good product. I cannot imagine that doing a 50-50 mix of the two and feeding it would be a bad idea, but I'd refrain from just pouring one on top of the other. IOW, mix them together thoroughly in equal measured amounts in a bucket before pouring them into your storage container. Just pouring one on top of the other could amount to constantly doing a change of feed, and that's normally not good.

 

[KatzNetherlands]

I wouldn't just pour them ontop of each other... We are actually getting a compost turner(basically a 50g barrel on its side with a handle to rotate it) so it should get mixed really well....

 

[SatinsRule]

If that's the way you want to go, that's fine, but a 5 gallon bucket and a stick to stir it with is all you'd really need.

But then again, that may just be the simpleton farm boy in me. LOL!!!

 

[KatzNetherlands]

LOL it would be easier, but we are buying the composter anyway for compost... But realistically it will only work once... So your way is probably better!

 

[curlysue]

My sister raises mini rex and she mixes Purina show with the cheaper purina feed for pet bunnys.