rabbit-grain-ola

[owlsfriend]

with MamaSheepDog's cookie recipe as a blueprint, I started thinking about it...you really don't have to make cookies out of the grains...just enough "body" to keep the flax seeds stuck to it. So, with the ingredients at hand, here's my take on the grain bars....

Rabbit Grains-olla

1/2c. Molasses
3/4c. olive oil
1 can plain pumpkin (not pie mix)
Basil
2c. Rolled oats
1c. flour
1c. flax seed
1c. Sesame seed
2c. rolled barley
1c. BOSS

Mix everything in a really big bowl. You just want it crumbly. You don't have to touch it. Spray cookie sheets and spread mix loosely. Dry in slow oven 250 degrees half hour. Turn off oven and leave over night. Break any large pieces.

 

[Miss M]

That looks like it would go over well! Did it?

 

[ZRabbits]

How did it turn out? Just curious. Sounds yummy for the bunny!

Karen

 

[owlsfriend]

update: I had about 5% loose seed in the cookie sheet. The remaining "clusters" didn't stick to each other very much, and went into an empty coffee can for storage. The initial reaction of test-bunny was to sniff and ignore long enough for a head rub. Then he nibbled daintily before going banana-bonsi on it.

I'm thinking a smashed up banana would have made it rabbit-crack.

 

[Frecs]

When I was on a raw vegan diet, I would make flaxseed crackers in the dehydrator. When you soak flaxseed in water, it makes the water gelatinous or mucilaginous. You can then add other ingredients (flavorings) and then spread it on dehydrator sheets and "cook". The result are crackers. I'm thinking it would work just as well in the oven...but I have not tried to mix anything up for the rabbits...but my mind is meditating on the subject....

 

[owlsfriend]

So now I'm thinking of adding mashed banana and mucilaginous flax to the mix...any other suggestions? Maybe beet shreds?

 

[Frecs]

Recipes could go in so many directions! Springboarding from my former experiences making flaxseed crackers...I might try something like:

3 cups Flax seed, soaked overnight
1 can plain pumpkin (not pie mix)
Basil or other herb or weeds chopped fine
2c. Rolled oats
1c. Sesame seed
2c. sprouted grains (wheat, quinoa, amaranth, barley, or whatever happens to be handy)
1c. BOSS

Mix together, spread on dehydrator trays, dehydrate. Hopefully, this would hold together and make "crackers". Much depends on the volume of "sticky liquid" produced by the flax versus other items added.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

with MamaSheepDog's cookie recipe as a blueprint

I'm glad I served as an inspiration for some homemade bunny treats! You also used much less flour which is something I wanted to try, but you saved me that step!

now I'm thinking of adding mashed banana and mucilaginous flax to the mix

Another use for "bananas gone (going) bad"!

I think soaking the flax in the liquid for the recipe is a great idea, and it will act as a "binder" as well. The basic recipe can be "tweaked" in so many different ways that we can offer a lot of variety in flavors and nutrient profiles. The veggie portion could be made up of so many different things or combinations- sweet potato, potato, carrots, summer or winter squash, apples or apple sauce (reducing the water if using sauce), banana or plantain, maybe even pureed cooked broccoli since cooking reduces the "gassiness". Herbs could include parsley, oregano, basil, rosemary, etc.

I also want to see about adding some type of vitamin and mineral supplement.

 

[Frecs]

I also want to see about adding some type of vitamin and mineral supplement.

I was wondering about that too...it would serve as a great way to "hide" a supplement. Any ideas on specific vitamin/mineral supplements that would be good to consider?

I can see we will be having a lot of fun experimenting!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Maybe beet shreds?

I almost added those, but wasn't sure if I wanted to soak them first or not. My original recipe had so much moisture that I would add them dry. Feeding them as part of a cookie would be a good option for me because a lot of it falls through the mesh on my feeders.

Any ideas on specific vitamin/mineral supplements that would be good to consider?

I haven't researched it yet, but I was intending on looking at the supplements used for horses or goats. ValleyVet supply has a huge selection, and you can view the mfr.s label as a pop up.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_product_gro ... b0d0204ae5

I can see we will be having a lot of fun experimenting!

I know! We will have to make a thread with our collection of recipes!

I think I might make several different varieties and bring them to the next rabbit show to sell.

 

[Frecs]

Maybe beet shreds?

I almost added those, but wasn't sure if I wanted to soak them first or not. My original recipe had so much moisture that I would add them dry. Feeding them as part of a cookie would be a good option for me because a lot of it falls through the mesh on my feeders.

Any ideas on specific vitamin/mineral supplements that would be good to consider?

I haven't researched it yet, but I was intending on looking at the supplements used for horses or goats. ValleyVet supply has a huge selection, and you can view the mfr.s label as a pop up.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_product_gro ... b0d0204ae5

I can see we will be having a lot of fun experimenting!

I know! We will have to make a thread with our collection of recipes!

I think I might make several different varieties and bring them to the next rabbit show to sell.

We definitely need a Recipe thread! opcorn:

I have some horse supplement called "The Source" but I believe I read somewhere not to give that to my bunnies...not sure why that is... (http://www.4source.com/)

Selling them at shows is a great idea! ooohhh...might could even help with gas expenses!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Selling them at shows is a great idea! ooohhh...might could even help with gas expenses!

Yeah! I am also taking an idea from Bad Habit, and am planning on bagging up some alfalfa hay to sell. The prices people pay for hay at the shows is crazy. I am lucky enough to have a small enclosed trailer, so I can bring a bunch of it.

 

[skysthelimit]

Selling them at shows is a great idea! ooohhh...might could even help with gas expenses!

Yeah! I am also taking an idea from Bad Habit, and am planning on bagging up some alfalfa hay to sell. The prices people pay for hay at the shows is crazy. I am lucky enough to have a small enclosed trailer, so I can bring a bunch of it.

excellent idea for both. I will give this a try this week, so I can get the flax into these buns, and get my picky JW to eat the banana. baking is a it more than I do but I do have a dehydrator.<br /><br />__________ Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:50 am __________<br /><br />Got the molasses. Looked for blackstrap, guess they don't sell it at Walmart. Then bananas, oats, soaking the flax. I do have some beets still in the ground, might cut them up, but it'll feel too much like cooking, and I'm not even the one eating! Going to put some in the toaster oven and some in the dehydrator. I only use the dehydrator for dog liver, so I have to get the smell out first.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I do have some beets still in the ground, might cut them up

Why don't you grate them? They will turn the cookies a pretty burgundy color!

I only use the dehydrator for dog liver, so I have to get the smell out first.

I would wipe it out with baking soda and vinegar.

 

[skysthelimit]

I do have some beets still in the ground, might cut them up

Why don't you grate them? They will turn the cookies a pretty burgundy color!

I only use the dehydrator for dog liver, so I have to get the smell out first.

I would wipe it out with baking soda and vinegar.

I don't have a grater. I own one knife, a would have to slice them by hand, a bit too much work.
I don't think I have any baking soda, but I have plenty of vinegar, ACV of course. I knew I should have posted before my trip to Walmart.<br /><br />__________ Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:10 pm __________<br /><br />

I also want to see about adding some type of vitamin and mineral supplement.

I was wondering about that too...it would serve as a great way to "hide" a supplement. Any ideas on specific vitamin/mineral supplements that would be good to consider?



I can see we will be having a lot of fun experimenting!

Wonder if I can use this? http://www.tractorsupply.com/producer-s ... b--2228329

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Wonder if I can use this? http://www.tractorsupply.com/producer-s ... b--2228329

I have never seen that at TSC! The only thing that concerns me is it says it is Ruminant meat and bone meal free. Does that mean that the calcium is derived from other sources, such as poultry, cats, or dogs?

 

[skysthelimit]

good question. Now that I've realized that Penpals is lower in vit A than MannaPro, I'm scrambling to make up for the deficiency.

 

[owlsfriend]

Update; the first batch is almost used up, and the buns wait for the grain-ola treats even if offered dandelion greens...getting ready for batch #2...will try adding banana and soaked flax.

I have a local pet treat manufacturer interested in expanding to the bunny market.

I'm thinking the less baking the better, but I don't have a dehydrator.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I just made batch #2 of cookies as well. They have banana and yam as the fruit/vegi source, plus BOSS and birdseed. I think I am going to add raisins to the next batch.

 

[Frecs]

I'm thinking the less baking the better, but I don't have a dehydrator.

Then, bake at a very low setting -- 250F...you could even leave the oven door ajar which should give you a close proximity to dehydrating.