Rambling on but need some help

[preciousgurl63]

Sorry a head of time for rambling on. But I have so many questions. I don't know if I have already asked this but what is a good feed to put my rabbits on? Right now I feed them country road rabbit pellets which is 16% from rural king. I don't know if its because its winter or the feed but I've noticed that 2 out of the 5 rabbits seem thin for some reason. I don't know if its the breed or what. I have 2 cali's, 1 NZ, and 2 MR. Its the mini's that are thin. They seem health just a little thin. I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to their rabbits. One of the ones that is a little thin is a indoor bunny and is very spoiled getting to run free for 4-5 hours a day. So I know she isn't sick because how she acts and how crazy she is running around. So do you think its the food that is keeping them thin or maybe worms? A lot of people told me to start feeding them BOSS which I'm going to start real soon to see if it helps them. Also a lot of people told me to stop feeding them cracked corn and a few bits of soybean because its bad for them. I've been reading up on what rabbit food is really good and heard about a feed called Rowe. Does anyone know anything about this feed and if its good? Friday I plan on going to town n country to pick up some BOSS and rabbit pellets but have to figure out what is a good one to get. I forgot to also say I do sometimes feed them purina rabbit chow when I can't make it to rural king but they haven't been on purina in a few months. Would it be better for me to keep them on the rural king brand or purina or get something totally different? I ask this because I've heard people having problems with the rural king brand and they told me to stop feeding my rabbits it.

 

[EnglishSpot]

Rabbit pellets are a hard call. There was a thread all about the ups and downs of which pellets and what protein percentages, but it seemed in the end everyone agreed to do what worked for their rabbit--which wasn't always what worked for others here. The SmallWorld Rabbit Feed sold at WalMart is produced by Manna Pro and that seemed to get a lot of high marks. It has a 16% protein ratio. Oxbow has 13% but may be potentially made with corn, so that didn't get many accolades, since corn can carry mold and mold will kill your rabbits. There were lots of folks debating the pros and cons of the Purina Rabbit Chow and I think that one got a 50/50 approval rating.

I had my rabbits on Oxbow but have switched to the SmallWorld (made by Manna Pro) and they've been chowing down on it, leaving the Oxbow pellets in the dish. I mix BOSS, pumpkin seeds, oats, and millet with my pellets and those get cleaned out of the dish before the pellets do!

Here is one thread: wool-feeding-think-we-need-a-change-t22378.html
Another nice one: feeding-my-meat-rabbits-t22203.html
Exceedingly helpful: oxbow-rabbit-pellets-and-another-cheap-option-t22096.html

If you're switching feed on them, be sure to add some Quaker Old Fashion Oats to help transition!!

You could also feed your rabbits some pumpkin or pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin is a natural dewormer and the pumpkin itself may help to clear any woolblocks they might have. Hay is a must!! If you can get grass hay or oat hay.

May I ask where in OH are you? I'm in Cleveland.

 

[katiebear]

I have always fed Mana-Pro, The Pro formula is 16%, The show formula is also 16% I believe. But I usually use the Gro formula 18% protein because I have all my does in production now ether pregnant or nursing.. and I have about 7 in the grow out stage soon to be 23 more. I have 5 does and 3 bucks so buying different feeds is just a hassle.I have to drive to Phoenix or Prescott to Tractor Supply. So about 50 miles each way.So I get 100 lbs at a time,once a month or so. Going tomorrow probably going to get 150 lbs this time... :x
.I also give BOSS but only in the winter when I breed...I don't breed in the summer because it is just to hot..then they go on the pro formula, but as any feed change go slowly..mix the old with the new then mix the last of the mixed with more of the new,so they change won't upset their digestion.
The reason I give boss is for the added fat content and it produces internal "heat"...Plus the babes love it. Good advise from EnglishSpot......The walmart near me only carries small world in 20 lb bags.
I raise meat mutts a cross of black chin and F.G.

 

[Zass]

I like to give boss to nursing does with large litters, to help enrich their milk supply.

 

[grumpy]

Just a suggestion: You've got a "ton" of text!! LOL. With it being all in one
large block, it's hard (at least for me) to read.

Break your thoughts apart into more manageable sections/paragraphs. With
your thoughts/questions separated, folks can sequence their responses
mentally before giving you their best advice for that particular situation.

Oftentimes, I'll attempt to read a post. Only to become "lost" in the text and
have to re-start. Sometimes, out of frustration, I'll just bump the escape
button and go on to another post.

As for feed, I feed Country Acres by Purina. It's the cheapest feed I can buy,
but has given me the least amount of trouble over the years. It has 18%
protein, which at times, I feel is a bit much.

Yesterday, 12-25-2014, I fed right at 110 pounds for the evening feed. It will,
without a doubt be more this evening. I've got close to 250 head of youngsters
I'm feeding out for market. I also feed close to 25 pounds of barley-fodder
daily, along with a good handful of hay for youngsters and lactating does.

Grumpy

 

[preciousgurl63]

Rabbit pellets are a hard call. There was a thread all about the ups and downs of which pellets and what protein percentages, but it seemed in the end everyone agreed to do what worked for their rabbit--which wasn't always what worked for others here. The SmallWorld Rabbit Feed sold at WalMart is produced by Manna Pro and that seemed to get a lot of high marks. It has a 16% protein ratio. Oxbow has 13% but may be potentially made with corn, so that didn't get many accolades, since corn can carry mold and mold will kill your rabbits. There were lots of folks debating the pros and cons of the Purina Rabbit Chow and I think that one got a 50/50 approval rating.

I had my rabbits on Oxbow but have switched to the SmallWorld (made by Manna Pro) and they've been chowing down on it, leaving the Oxbow pellets in the dish. I mix BOSS, pumpkin seeds, oats, and millet with my pellets and those get cleaned out of the dish before the pellets do!

Here is one thread: wool-feeding-think-we-need-a-change-t22378.html
Another nice one: feeding-my-meat-rabbits-t22203.html
Exceedingly helpful: oxbow-rabbit-pellets-and-another-cheap-option-t22096.html

If you're switching feed on them, be sure to add some Quaker Old Fashion Oats to help transition!!

You could also feed your rabbits some pumpkin or pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin is a natural dewormer and the pumpkin itself may help to clear any woolblocks they might have. Hay is a must!! If you can get grass hay or oat hay.

May I ask where in OH are you? I'm in Cleveland.

Thanks. I will definitely get some BOSS and start feeding them it. I also do feed mine pumpkin and pumpkin seeds so since that is a dewormer then they shouldn't have worms which means its probably the feed I'm giving them. And I live in Grafton, OH.



Thanks everyone for your responses. I see it just depends on the feed and what you/your rabbits like. So I guess I will just have to find out what feed it good for my rabbits and go from there. I know I'm definitely going to start feeding BOSS though.

 

[Silver Cloud]

We feed our bunnies only Kent Top Show Family and nothing else but 1 chewable Papaya Enzyme every other day, No hay except the little we put in the nest box over the Aspen wood chips, no veggies their diet stays the same at all times to keep them healthy. Just our way of doing things.