Farming food for meat rabbits

[Westsail32]

Hi I haven't actually started breeding rabbits yet I would like to spend the next few months preparing for it. What I'm wanting to do is figure out a pellet free diet. I'm willing to put forth the extra work and longer waiting times to butcher as long as I can keep them healthy. My plan is to dedicate about 1/4 acre to growing a mix of things like alfalfa dandelion clover and anything else people may recommend to me. But I've never kept rabbits dont know how much they eat. Does this seem like enough area for about 2-4 does and one buck to get food from. I also have about a half acre that is flooded and full of cattails year round. Are these good to add to their feed? I also have lots of mesquite bean would these be good to add to their diet? Green or dried? Of course I'll also be sharing things from the veggie garden with them but I know that alone won't be enough so I'm wanting to have enough to feed them year round. I can also forage around for all kinds of edibles on my property I know they need a lot of variety in their diet. I don't mind buying hay or even pellets when the need arises but I'd like to try to avoid it if possible. Don't want to do anything bad for my bunnies when I get them. I'd gladly buy pellets if I'm told it's necessary it's not a financial issue I just think doing this way will be fun. Does this plan seem possible to y'all?

 

[Sara Ranch]

I don't have rabbits yet, but have researched some about alternative feeds. I won't be able to answer your questions directly, but can offer some insight.

I have just started sprouting different beans for my animals. Going to see how that goes. It's my launch point for growing fodder for my animals. (Fodder is typically sprouted grains, like oats, barley, wheat.)

Animals enjoy variety. I try to keep things as close to nature as possible. The majority of my animals free range all day long (6 am-ish - 8 pm -ish) I do give my laying hens (and the guys with them) some supplemental feed during the day since they are in an open run and can't totally free range. I do rotate pastures for them. For my free rangers, I sometimes give them supplement feed as well, especially on rainy days.

I throw in weeds, grasses, and leaves from the property.

I throw in fresh veggies and fruits from the garden.

I go with what is in season and easily found locally.

I have several herb beds for the animals. They go and eat what they need, when they need it. I sometimes sneak the herbs into their food. Easy to do when they are eating greens.

I sometimes plant the things that my animals like - like clover.

I add apple cider vinegar to their water supply. (I also make the acv.) The animals appear to be healthy and thriving.

My fall and winter plan is still a work in progress. If the sprouted beans go well, then I will stock up and continue with that. If I have an abundance (hahaha - my 88 animals suck up a lot of food) then I will freeze it or can it for a later date.

Next year, I will have a green house up and running. Growing season around here is mid May to Sept. I will probably try growing some greens year round in a little green house that needs to be set up.

All of my stuff is a work in progress. Every three months, I make a plan and then massage it as needed.

What is your goal? To avoid feeding grains to your rabbits? To avoid having a high feed bill? To grow your own feed?