What type of hay do you feed your rabbit

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Mustang... »they dont need hay all day long. I just give mine hay once a day and that is in the morning... I bale of hay for 5 adult rabbits should last you a month if they are meat rabbits.

 

[mystang89]

So if I start growing some winter wheat or barley, (if I can ever find some,) in the hydroponics set-up and feed them clover or alfalfa (if I can ever find some,) would that be a good combination.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

yes

 

[mystang89]

Thanks Mary Ann.
I was looking for a few tips online for what to put the hay in for the rabbits to eat when I came across a few websites saying that rabbits should have access to hay all day long. Why do people give access all day long? I can understand to rabbits in grow out cages and to rabbits who are nursing but to just a normal buck it seems like they would turn fat.

 

[dragonladyleanne]

I don't think hay would turn to fat, as it's mostly fiber. If they get fat they are either getting too many pellets or fruit, or no exercise at all. If I give mine more hay than they want, it winds up on the floor under their cages. Maybe the sites advocating "all-day access" just didn't know when their rabbits did most of their hay munching and meant putting the hay in something that they could get to at any time, but kept it from being wasted or contaminated throughout the day?

 

[mystang89]

Ok, so I bought 2 bales of Clover hay and am going to try to feed them that with the hydroponically raised Winter Wheat. Hope they it goes well. Anyone see anything wrong with it or suggestions on what/how I should do things?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

That is fine. .. Are you feeding any thing else like boss,, oats, flax seed... Pellets.

 

[mystang89]

That is fine. .. Are you feeding any thing else like boss,, oats, flax seed... Pellets.

I'm not. I figured the fodder would take the place of flax, boss and/or oats.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I think you should give some oats and boss for sure. It will help keep there weight on .

 

[Oceanrose]

Thanks Mary Ann.
I was looking for a few tips online for what to put the hay in for the rabbits to eat when I came across a few websites saying that rabbits should have access to hay all day long. Why do people give access all day long? I can understand to rabbits in grow out cages and to rabbits who are nursing but to just a normal buck it seems like they would turn fat.

I give everyone hay all day long. I feel it helps with wool or fur block, keeps them healthier, puts better firmer flesh on them, and makes for happier bunnies. It also cuts down my feed bill some. Hay isn't a caloric food, but it's filled with fiber and keeps everyone happy. They demand less food that way, and don't eat pellets out of boredom. Normally no one is fat, if they get pudgy feeling, I cut down on their pellets.

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks Mary Ann.
I was looking for a few tips online for what to put the hay in for the rabbits to eat when I came across a few websites saying that rabbits should have access to hay all day long. Why do people give access all day long? I can understand to rabbits in grow out cages and to rabbits who are nursing but to just a normal buck it seems like they would turn fat.

I give everyone hay all day long. I feel it helps with wool or fur block, keeps them healthier, puts better firmer flesh on them, and makes for happier bunnies. It also cuts down my feed bill some. Hay isn't a caloric food, but it's filled with fiber and keeps everyone happy. They demand less food that way, and don't eat pellets out of boredom. Normally no one is fat, if they get pudgy feeling, I cut down on their pellets.

:yeahthat:

No pudgy rabbits here at all.

Karen

 

[mystang89]

Thanks everyone.
Mary Ann, When you say oats are you talking the seeds or the type of oats you use to make oatmeal?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I use rolled oats in the morning with there flax seed. Then i give oatmeal oats at night. Even with the babies are in the nest i sprinkle it in there when they around 2 weeks old. IT IS there first food and i dont get any enteritis problems.