Total Feed Bill

[Guest]

What is the amount of feed you buy (what type, weight) for your rabbits? How many rabbits are you feeding? How long does it last you?

I think this is the hardest part to take into consideration for someone looking to get into raising rabbits. You can plan out every dimension, figure out watering/cleaning systems, find plenty of sources for both food and livestock.....but imagining how much they eat and calculating it seems impossible until you have them :-(

Anyone care to share?

 

[MaggieJ]

It varies. There is no substitute for experience. Most people start small - with a trio perhaps - and I think this is a good idea. One soon has a better understanding of what is needed without making a huge investment of time and energy.

 

[Guest]

It varies. There is no substitute for experience. Most people start small - with a trio perhaps - and I think this is a good idea. One soon has a better understanding of what is needed without making a huge investment of time and energy.

Thank you for your "answer."

 

[MaggieJ]

Metalex, it varies because feeds vary, breeds vary, and animal husbandry methods vary.

 

[Guest]

Metalex, it varies because feeds vary, breeds vary, and animal husbandry methods vary.

MaggieJ, I know it varies, I was asking for personal experiences, not my own future ones.

 

[Cattle Cait]

My mother and I raise our rabbits in the same barn and (for the most part) share in the feed bill, so I'll group her herd and mine collectively.

Together we have approximately 25 brood does and 8 or 9 bucks, so call it 30 total. They get Kent which is around $20 per 50lb bag in our area and we go through about five bags per month. These are all meat-type rabbits or larger (Palominos, Checkered Giants, American Chinchillas, a few commercial crossbred does for meat)

We have about 10 show rabbits and they get Heinold, 40lb bags ($10 each), plus Doc's Rabbit Enhancer, sunflower seeds, and sweet mix all mixed together. That feed bill never gets calculated because we just forget, but it's probably close to the same as the breeding stock because although there are less rabbits, we feed them more expensive schtuff.

Be nice to Maggie. She knows what she's talking about

 

[Guest]

My mother and I raise our rabbits in the same barn and (for the most part) share in the feed bill, so I'll group her herd and mine collectively.

Together we have approximately 25 brood does and 8 or 9 bucks, so call it 30 total. They get Kent which is around $20 per 50lb bag in our area and we go through about five bags per month. These are all meat-type rabbits or larger (Palominos, Checkered Giants, American Chinchillas, a few commercial crossbred does for meat)

We have about 10 show rabbits and they get Heinold, 40lb bags ($10 each), plus Doc's Rabbit Enhancer, sunflower seeds, and sweet mix all mixed together. That feed bill never gets calculated because we just forget, but it's probably close to the same as the breeding stock because although there are less rabbits, we feed them more expensive schtuff.

Be nice to Maggie. She knows what she's talking about

Thanks so much, Cait for understanding what I was asking. I don't mean to sound harsh to Maggie, but comparing her two posts with yours, I'd say she was not the one who knew what she was talking about. :-( It might be a generational gap, or cultural difference, but I just don't particularly appreciate being patronized :sorry:

 

[Truckinguy]

Metalex, Maggie knows what she's talking about and is respected by many here for sharing her knowledge and giving others the opportunity to share their knowledge by starting this forum. She was simply saying that you would likely get a lot of different responses from others due to their varied circumstances.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Thanks so much, Cait for understanding what I was asking. I don't mean to sound harsh to Maggie, but comparing her two posts with yours, I'd say she was not the one who knew what she was talking about. :-( It might be a generational gap, or cultural difference, but I just don't particularly appreciate being patronized :sorry:

Maggie is one of the moderators here and she is extremely knowledgeable about rabbits. She was not patronizing you, but pointing out that you CANNOT base your plans on what others are experiencing. What rabbits eat vary from rabbit to rabbit, what is available in each area varies, really, you have to do some of the "legwork" yourself. Go to the local feed store and find out what feeds they carry and how much they are. Then calculate the cost based on amount of that feed, per rabbit, per day.

If you don't get the answer you are looking for, a sarcastic response is not going to get you what you want. We are all here to learn from each other and politeness goes a long way...JMHO

 

[iamdrglass]

From my experience over the last few weeks from feeding 21 fryers and 6 does. I have been buying 50lbs every Friday. I sent all of the fryers to the Arctic last weekend and found excessive fat on them. They where getting 1/2 cup am 1/2 cup pm each. My Moms with litters in the box get 1cup am 1cup pm when the litter comes out the ration goes up to 1/2 cup each am and 1/2 cup pm. Expecting does get 1/2cup am 1/2 cup pm. I do cut back if feed is not cleaned up between feedings. I also free feed grass alfalfa mix when I feel like putting it in their hay feeders.

I have 3 NZW, 2 Calis, 1 Cinimon junior all does.

Dan

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Now, to answer your question....

I have 6 growing out and 9 adult rabbits. I use a feed that is $11.75 / 50lb sack and I use one every other week. A bale of hay is about $7-$8 and will last me a month or more. Calf Manna, an addition for nursing moms and weanlings, is about $25 per 25lb bag. That will last me several months. So, for me, roughly $25-30 per month or so right now. I don't have any litters right now, summer took care of that for me, so I expect that to go up when I get some litters in a month or two.

Hope that helps...

 

[Guest]

Metalex, Maggie knows what she's talking about and is respected by many here for sharing her knowledge and giving others the opportunity to share their knowledge by starting this forum. She was simply saying that you would likely get a lot of different responses from others due to their varied circumstances.

I'm sure she does know what she's talking about. But if I ask a question and she does not answer it, what should I do? Ignore her completely, or address her answer? I know I was going to get varied answers, that is the best part of asking a group of people. But there will be no deviations in the pattern, unless someone's rabbitry population rises and falls so often and sporadic that they can't calculate a steady (or unsteady) number. Most people (and thank you to the ones who did) know how much money they spend (that's responsible spending). Since I have yet to even begin raising rabbits, I'm projecting monthly costs which I now have an idea of.

__________ Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:49 pm __________

Thanks so much, Cait for understanding what I was asking. I don't mean to sound harsh to Maggie, but comparing her two posts with yours, I'd say she was not the one who knew what she was talking about. :-( It might be a generational gap, or cultural difference, but I just don't particularly appreciate being patronized :sorry:

Maggie is one of the moderators here and she is extremely knowledgeable about rabbits. She was not patronizing you, but pointing out that you CANNOT base your plans on what others are experiencing. What rabbits eat vary from rabbit to rabbit, what is available in each area varies, really, you have to do some of the "legwork" yourself. Go to the local feed store and find out what feeds they carry and how much they are. Then calculate the cost based on amount of that feed, per rabbit, per day.

If you don't get the answer you are looking for, a sarcastic response is not going to get you what you want. We are all here to learn from each other and politeness goes a long way...JMHO

I have gone to multiple feed stores, looked online, read different food measurements for different ages in different conditions, and none of that helps to put a dollar amount on a herd's feed bill. I didn't know for 30 rabbits if it would cost $100, $50, or $20. Based on Cait's consumption, I know I'm probably going to be spending $100/month which is an answer instead of being left with the same question.

I am not looking for any particular answer, I'm actually making a little statistic table of all the answers I get so I can find the average and go from there. I'm sorry if my sarcasm offends you, I was only trying to state the obvious (subtly).

__________ Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:55 pm __________

From my experience over the last few weeks from feeding 21 fryers and 6 does. I have been buying 50lbs every Friday. I sent all of the fryers to the Arctic last weekend and found excessive fat on them. They where getting 1/2 cup am 1/2 cup pm each. My Moms with litters in the box get 1cup am 1cup pm when the litter comes out the ration goes up to 1/2 cup each am and 1/2 cup pm. Expecting does get 1/2cup am 1/2 cup pm. I do cut back if feed is not cleaned up between feedings. I also free feed grass alfalfa mix when I feel like putting it in their hay feeders.

I have 3 NZW, 2 Calis, 1 Cinimon junior all does.

Dan

Thx for your input Any particular reason you think the kits were exessively fat? 1/2 cup seems like an awfully small amount for kits to get fat off of. Were you feeding anything else besides pellets and hay?

__________ Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:58 pm __________

Now, to answer your question....

I have 6 growing out and 9 adult rabbits. I use a feed that is $11.75 / 50lb sack and I use one every other week. A bale of hay is about $7-$8 and will last me a month or more. Calf Manna, an addition for nursing moms and weanlings, is about $25 per 25lb bag. That will last me several months. So, for me, roughly $25-30 per month or so right now. I don't have any litters right now, summer took care of that for me, so I expect that to go up when I get some litters in a month or two.

Hope that helps...

Indeed it does!

 

[Miss M]

My feed bill varies a good bit, even when the population of my rabbitry stays the same. If it's hot, they eat less, and if it's cold, they eat more. But sometimes temperature isn't the only factor. I've given up trying to figure out what all causes me to go through one bag of food a week, and then it's suddenly lasting two.

Currently, with six permanent rabbits and two growout litters ready to process, I am going through about one bag of food every 10 days or so, at $15/50lb bag for Purina Complete. I don't even count the cost of hay, because a bale costs me $7.50, and lasts a long time. And I supplement with dried cut grass from the yard (no chemicals).

I once figured that I ended up spending about $1.25 per pound of dressed rabbit. Not bad.

Metalex, I've been to boards where the members rip each other over little things. It amazes me that anyone sticks around, but I guess some people enjoy getting angry and striking back.

We don't have that here, and we like it that way. Being rude to the well-loved and much-respected board admin and then justifying it is not going to help you get along here. To answer your question, "But if I ask a question and she does not answer it, what should I do? Ignore her completely, or address her answer?": if a reply does not satisfy you, then either politely thank the person for their input, or simply wait for someone else to chime in with information you find more useful.

I try to follow the sage advice of that famous rabbit, Thumper:
"If you can't say somethin' nice," (pause and wiggle your nose) "don't say nothin' at all."

 

[Guest]

My feed bill varies a good bit, even when the population of my rabbitry stays the same. If it's hot, they eat less, and if it's cold, they eat more. But sometimes temperature isn't the only factor. I've given up trying to figure out what all causes me to go through one bag of food a week, and then it's suddenly lasting two.

Currently, with six permanent rabbits and two growout litters ready to process, I am going through about one bag of food every 10 days or so, at $15/50lb bag for Purina Complete. I don't even count the cost of hay, because a bale costs me $7.50, and lasts a long time. And I supplement with dried cut grass from the yard (no chemicals).

I once figured that I ended up spending about $1.25 per pound of dressed rabbit. Not bad.

Metalex, I've been to boards where the members rip each other over little things. It amazes me that anyone sticks around, but I guess some people enjoy getting angry and striking back.

We don't have that here, and we like it that way. Being rude to the well-loved and much-respected board admin and then justifying it is not going to help you get along here. To answer your question, "But if I ask a question and she does not answer it, what should I do? Ignore her completely, or address her answer?": if a reply does not satisfy you, then either politely thank the person for their input, or simply wait for someone else to chime in with information you find more useful.

I try to follow the sage advice of that famous rabbit, Thumper:
"If you can't say somethin' nice," (pause and wiggle your nose) "don't say nothin' at all."

I was just thinking of doing that exact thing! When I first posted, I ignored her (just as I would do with anyone who I disagreed with) but decided to answer her posts because I thought it might be rude not to. In light of all the feedback, I think I'll follow your's and Thumper's advice. Thanks for your numbers

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I know I was going to get varied answers, that is the best part of asking a group of people. But there will be no deviations in the pattern, unless someone's rabbitry population rises and falls so often and sporadic that they can't calculate a steady (or unsteady) number. Most people (and thank you to the ones who did) know how much money they spend (that's responsible spending). Since I have yet to even begin raising rabbits, I'm projecting monthly costs which I now have an idea of.

Just like with raising any animal, there is LOTS of deviation in the pattern, unfortunately. Weather changes, feed changes, illness, etc. Unless you run a very large, very tightly controlled, commercial rabbitry (like thousands of rabbits) you are going to get deviation. One month I may by two bags of feed, the next I might buy four. The feed companies like to change up their recipes from time to time and the rabbits don't always like it. Or you might get a bad bag or a bad bale of hay. And on top of that, all of this can vary wildly by location.

I have gone to multiple feed stores, looked online, read different food measurements for different ages in different conditions, and none of that helps to put a dollar amount on a herd's feed bill. I didn't know for 30 rabbits if it would cost $100, $50, or $20. Based on Cait's consumption, I know I'm probably going to be spending $100/month which is an answer instead of being left with the same question.

I am not looking for any particular answer, I'm actually making a little statistic table of all the answers I get so I can find the average and go from there. I'm sorry if my sarcasm offends you, I was only trying to state the obvious (subtly).

It is very hard to read "tone" in print. What one may mean as teasing sarcasm, can be read by others as mean spirited sarcasm. Just something to keep in mind. Also, understand that we get new members all the time and invariable, myself included, they all ask the same questions...You might try searching the posts that are already here. I am almost positive you will find the answers to just about any question you can think of....

Thx for your input Any particular reason you think the kits were exessively fat? 1/2 cup seems like an awfully small amount for kits to get fat off of. Were you feeding anything else besides pellets and hay?

He said 1/2 cup TWICE a day, so 1cup total. Rule of thumb I have heard (and follow) is 4-6oz per day, per adult, free feed for nursing does and weanlings.

Indeed it does!

You are most welcome!

 

[Guest]

I know I was going to get varied answers, that is the best part of asking a group of people. But there will be no deviations in the pattern, unless someone's rabbitry population rises and falls so often and sporadic that they can't calculate a steady (or unsteady) number. Most people (and thank you to the ones who did) know how much money they spend (that's responsible spending). Since I have yet to even begin raising rabbits, I'm projecting monthly costs which I now have an idea of.

Just like with raising any animal, there is LOTS of deviation in the pattern, unfortunately. Weather changes, feed changes, illness, etc. Unless you run a very large, very tightly controlled, commercial rabbitry (like thousands of rabbits) you are going to get deviation. One month I may by two bags of feed, the next I might buy four. The feed companies like to change up their recipes from time to time and the rabbits don't always like it. Or you might get a bad bag or a bad bale of hay. And on top of that, all of this can vary wildly by location.

I have gone to multiple feed stores, looked online, read different food measurements for different ages in different conditions, and none of that helps to put a dollar amount on a herd's feed bill. I didn't know for 30 rabbits if it would cost $100, $50, or $20. Based on Cait's consumption, I know I'm probably going to be spending $100/month which is an answer instead of being left with the same question.

I am not looking for any particular answer, I'm actually making a little statistic table of all the answers I get so I can find the average and go from there. I'm sorry if my sarcasm offends you, I was only trying to state the obvious (subtly).

It is very hard to read "tone" in print. What one may mean as teasing sarcasm, can be read by others as mean spirited sarcasm. Just something to keep in mind. Also, understand that we get new members all the time and invariable, myself included, they all ask the same questions...You might try searching the posts that are already here. I am almost positive you will find the answers to just about any question you can think of....

Thx for your input Any particular reason you think the kits were exessively fat? 1/2 cup seems like an awfully small amount for kits to get fat off of. Were you feeding anything else besides pellets and hay?

He said 1/2 cup TWICE a day, so 1cup total. Rule of thumb I have heard (and follow) is 4-6oz per day, per adult, free feed for nursing does and weanlings.

Indeed it does!

You are most welcome!

Does anyone else experience deviation in their purchases of feed, or are your numbers constant for your average overall production?

I am not teasing, and I wouldn't say I'm mean spirited either. If you've noticed, I play nicely with people who play nicely with me. Its when people want to get "spicy" as someone called it....well, we don't keep a cubbard full of Mrs. Dash for nothing! I have read through posts, which is where my questions come from (either the answers were lacking more substanial information like I've been recieving, or they go in different directions). That is the reason why I decided to join, to ask the questions I couldn't find answers to.

 

[currituckbun]

For me, I have 5 does, two are pregnant or nursing. Three bucks. Ten 7 week old eating machines. I had been going through one 50 lb bag every 3 weeks now it is one every other week. A 50 lb bag costs me $13 and I feed hay freely at $7 a bale. The hay is lasting me two months or more. I just arranged to sell 4 of the fryers for $15 a piece so I figure they are paying to feed mom and brothers until freezer camp. I feed a sparse cup once a day to the adults and 1/2 cup per rabbit per day for the 7 week olds.
One of my pregnant does has slimmed down too much lately so I am giving kitchen oats and free feeding. Nursing mom gets 1 1/4 cup a day.

 

[Miss M]

I was just thinking of doing that exact thing! When I first posted, I ignored her (just as I would do with anyone who I disagreed with) but decided to answer her posts because I thought it might be rude not to. In light of all the feedback, I think I'll follow your's and Thumper's advice. Thanks for your numbers

You're welcome!