Starting with Rabbits and all natural food

[randm3312]

Hi all,

I am getting started with rabbits, and had a few questions about natural feeding. We live in the suburbs and have a backyard garden. With my skill set I want to grow as much food for my rabbits as possible. I already have some of this on the way: http://www.groworganic.com/omega-3-chic ... gated.html ,I ordered this for some chickens I am raising at a farm elsewhere and have been told it should be okay for rabbits. I plan on planting this and moving my hutch around as it has an area that will be on the ground for the rabbits and then also growing it in flats and pots for grazing. What about other grains? Dent corn, wheat, buckwheat, barley, oats? I plan on dedicating a new expansion of my garden to this purpose. I know they like alfalfa and plan on growing lots of it for feed purposes. I would just like to know a good balanced all natural diet I can feed my animals. If it comes out of the ground I can grow it, if it can handle our crazy Texas climate I look forward to your input and appreciate it very much.

Matt

 

[MaggieJ]

I've been feeding my rabbits a natural diet since 2007. They get alfalfa hay, some grass hay, some grain (usually wheat, sometimes barley) and as much fresh feed as the season allows. Here in Ontario, that means that from spring through fall they get large amounts of weeds, tree trimmings and some garden surplus. Be sure to see the Safe Plants for Rabbits list. These are typically the plants I feed and are a good start, but there are many other plants that are also excellent for rabbits.

safe-plants-for-rabbits-list-t55.html

My rabbits are in a colony pen in part of a shed. I gather the greens in a bucket and take them to the rabbits.

In winter, alfalfa hay is the staple and the fresh foods, by necessity, are served in much smaller quantities. They get small amounts of root crops, pumpkin now and again, grain grass grown on a windowsill and vegetable trimmings. I also dry some weeds and especially leaves and branches of willow and poplar for winter. For a long time I avoided cabbage but have found that as long as I phase it in in fall while there are still other greens available that I have had no problems.

I should mention that when you get your rabbits you will have to transition them slowly to a natural diet. Sudden changes in diet can be fatal for rabbits. So get a supply of whatever pellets they are already eating. Grass hay can be added immediately, but the other ingredients should be phased in slowly over a few weeks. I found that once they got a good taste of natural foods, they began to lose interest in pellets. It took a long time to use up that last bag.

 

[Marinea]

I, too, am starting a rabbit garden come spring. I will be growing beets, turnips, plantain, clover, rye and buckwheat. This is in addition to what he gets now: blackberry leaves and canes, strawberry leaves, poplar leaves, honeysuckle, rose leaves, mustard greens, oats, and weeds from the yard.

My bun has been on this diet since birth. Please listen to Maggie and transition your new rabbits slowly.

Oh, and corn? Not so much, although mine loves the leaves and stalks. He doesn't get any of the actual corn.

 

[Frecs]

Be careful about buckwheat. I've read that it can cause problems of photo-sensitivity (hypersensitive to sunlight) in both humans and animals. It seems okay in small amounts but you just don't want to eat (or feed) too much at a time.

I am trying to make most everything I plant or grow edible for multiple species on my little homestead. And, many of the ordinary vegetables folks grow in a home garden have some part that can be fed to rabbits. Trimmings from trees and bushes...ditto... the more the better. My goal is to have something to forage for my rabbits year around.

I'm planning to plant mulberry trees because I can enjoy the fruit and the rabbits can enjoy the leaves and branches. Rosebushes, dogwood trees, willows, and many herbs...flowers...so many things!