feeding a rabbit how much and what kind ?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs
Icompletely dissagree. Rabbits should get 1 cup of veggies(packed) per two pounds of weight. It's really good for them, and should be provided everyday, according to HouseRabbitmsoceity.

That's what Bugs Bunny tried to teach me too. Most rabbits living in the wild don't have access to vegetables, of course there's no pellets either in the fields either. I personally have read it isn't a good thing, but like keeping all critters there is all kinds of different information out there. Do what you are comfortable with. I was just sharing what I thought and how I keep mine.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks every one for all the info

 

[Happy Novogens]

A little late to the discussion but wanted to add 2 cents.

An appropriate rabbit diet depends not only on age and weight, but also the rabbit's purpose. Rabbits that are going to be bred have different nutritional needs than, say, indoor rabbits that are fixed. This is why one is going to find such contradictory advice on "proper" diet.

Someone mentioned corn, though, and I wanted to point out that the hulls of individual corn kernels are indigestible to rabbits. They can cause a fatal gut impaction. I've seen the x-rays of this.

That said, one will always find concerning any rabbit diet the "... yeah, but I've always fed _____ and my rabbit is just fine." There are always exceptions. [I knew of a 5 year old rabbit that had been housed indoors and was fed nothing but dry dog food!!]

I've had indoor, fixed pet rabbits for 30 years and have seen the diet recommendations for such rabbits be adjusted over the years as science learns more. The House Rabbit Society (referred to by cluckcluck) is for fixed, primarily indoor, pet rabbits -- not for breeding rabbits. Their recommendation for adult rabbits daily is unlimited grass hay, 2-4 cups of daily greens, and severely limited plain pellets (about 1/4 cup for a 5-7 lb rabbit). Treats like fruit (or carrot since they are high in sugar) should be limited to no more than 1-2 tbsp per day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A little late to the discussion but wanted to add 2 cents.

An appropriate rabbit diet depends not only on age and weight, but also the rabbit's purpose. Rabbits that are going to be bred have different nutritional needs than, say, indoor rabbits that are fixed. This is why one is going to find such contradictory advice on "proper" diet.

Someone mentioned corn, though, and I wanted to point out that the hulls of individual corn kernels are indigestible to rabbits. They can cause a fatal gut impaction. I've seen the x-rays of this.

That said, one will always find concerning any rabbit diet the "... yeah, but I've always fed _____ and my rabbit is just fine." There are always exceptions. [I knew of a 5 year old rabbit that had been housed indoors and was fed nothing but dry dog food!!]

I've had indoor, fixed pet rabbits for 30 years and have seen the diet recommendations for such rabbits be adjusted over the years as science learns more. The House Rabbit Society (referred to by cluckcluck) is for fixed, primarily indoor, pet rabbits -- not for breeding rabbits. Their recommendation for adult rabbits daily is unlimited grass hay, 2-4 cups of daily greens, and severely limited plain pellets (about 1/4 cup for a 5-7 lb rabbit). Treats like fruit (or carrot since they are high in sugar) should be limited to no more than 1-2 tbsp per day.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks

 

[Happy Novogens]

Thanks, oldhen!

You're welcome, wolf!

 

[Bunnylady]

That's what Bugs Bunny tried to teach me too. Most rabbits living in the wild don't have access to vegetables, of course there's no pellets either in the fields either. I personally have read it isn't a good thing, but like keeping all critters there is all kinds of different information out there. Do what you are comfortable with. I was just sharing what I thought and how I keep mine.

I read an article recently about the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in which someone from a certain animal rights group said their goal was to make it so boring that nobody would come, and the event would cease to exist for that reason. Sometimes I thing the House Rabbit Society has a similar agenda; making rabbit keeping so onerous that nobody will want to try it.

 

[cassie]

@oldhenlikesdogs
Icompletely dissagree. Rabbits should get 1 cup of veggies(packed) per two pounds of weight. It's really good for them, and should be provided everyday, according to HouseRabbitmsoceity.

Good grief!! I raised meat rabbits for many years and they got pellets. Period. They did just fine. I can't imagine the amount of time and labor it would have taken me to weigh the rabbits and then apportion out all those veggies in the right amount to each individual rabbit.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Good grief!! I raised meat rabbits for many years and they got pellets. Period. They did just fine. I can't imagine the amount of time and labor it would have taken me to weigh the rabbits and then apportion out all those veggies in the right amount to each individual rabbit.

I'm not saying everyone has to do it.
I'm saying that what The House Rabbit Society and many other people say.
Check out Happy Tails, Lennon The Bunny, Skinnypigs1, 101Rabbits and more on youtube.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Meat rabbits are commonly fed a pellet only diet. It grows them quick and the rabbits are culled young. Longevity is not a concern.

Pet rabbits are fed for longevity and long-term health. Their nutrition is adjusted accordingly. Pet rabbits fed and cared for this way commonly live 10 years or more. I know of a few that lived over 14 years.

As I said earlier, the purpose of the rabbit helps determine appropriate diet.