I'm interested in getting rabbits ---- Edit: Just caught a dumped Bunny!!!

[Weeg]

I'm still learning but if I were you I would be feeding that bunny hay with a tiny bit of adult rabbit pellets...only.

In a few weeks I would offer a tiny punt of fresh green lettuce once a day.
A tiny amount.


I looked at the horse alfalfa pellets at my feed store but I decided they weren't good enough for my rabbit.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rabbit-food-stuff-.1494446/

I've been slowly introducing leafy greens, but multiple sources told me that they should take up a large amount of her diet. Of course, I'm still learning as well so could be wrong. I'll start slow though, wont go to a full serving for a week +, I'll give her a slow introduction.
I also don't plan on feeding the horse Timothy pellets long term, was just the only pellet I had on hand, but will look for some actual rabbit pellets today. Anyone have brand suggestions?

 

[Kiki]

I have no experience with that brand.

When I raised rabbits, they ate Purina rabbit pellets free-choice, and almost nothing else. But they were mostly breeding does, and bunnies growing for meat, so what was good for them would probably not be right for a rabbit that is not growing or reproducing.


Why? Greens can cause diarrhea when the rabbit is not used to them-- but this rabbit was running around outside (greens everywhere), and apparently has droppings that are fine now (so no diarrhea).

Is there some other danger to eating plants that have not been dried? After all, hay is just dried grass

Because greens are only supposed to be a small amount of their diet. No other reason but that.

 

[Kiki]

I've been slowly introducing leafy greens, but multiple sources told me that they should take up a large amount of her diet. Of course, I'm still learning as well so could be wrong. I'll start slow though, wont go to a full serving for a week +, I'll give her a slow introduction.
I also don't plan on feeding the horse Timothy pellets long term, was just the only pellet I had on hand, but will look for some actual rabbit pellets today. Anyone have brand suggestions?

Hay should be the majority of the diet not fresh leafy greens.

 

[Kiki]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/🚧🚧rabbit-food-stuff-🚧🚧.1494446/post-24953451

 

[Weeg]

I have no experience with that brand.

When I raised rabbits, they ate Purina rabbit pellets free-choice, and almost nothing else. But they were mostly breeding does, and bunnies growing for meat, so what was good for them would probably not be right for a rabbit that is not growing or reproducing.


Why? Greens can cause diarrhea when the rabbit is not used to them-- but this rabbit was running around outside (greens everywhere), and apparently has droppings that are fine now (so no diarrhea).

Is there some other danger to eating plants that have not been dried? After all, hay is just dried grass

I'll do some more research on what brand to feed, hoping or something Organic or at least non-GMO.

Maybe her previous owner fed a lot of greens, I'm not entirely sure. I know most small owners over feed "treats", using carrots, greens, veggies, as treats. Maybe her owner was one of those.
I read/heard form a few sources that greens were a great nutrient dense addition to the diet, so I plan on feeding dark leafy greens like lettuce, select herbs, etc, but read that Cabbage and Iceberg lettuce are hard on digestion, and don't have many nutrients.

 

[CSAchook]

I have not tried their feed, but my rabbit loves the toys and treats from Small Pet Select. And their hay too. They seem to be a good company, and their customer service is excellent.

 

[Weeg]

Hay should be the majority of the diet not fresh leafy greens.

Yes, you are correct. The feed chart that I looked at had it listed like this-

Hay- 80%-90%
Leafy greens- 15%
Pellets- 5%

Not a super large portion, but largest next to hay is what I'm trying to explain.

 

[Weeg]

I have not tried their feed, but my rabbit loves the toys and treats from Small Pet Select. And their hay too. They seem to be a good company, and their customer service is excellent.

Awesome! The company was suggestion in some of my research, but nothing specifically about feed. Thank you!

 

[Weeg]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rabbit-food-stuff-.1494446/post-24953451

View attachment 2864730

I'll do more research on the topic since our charts have different percentages. Thanks for the secondary opinion.

 

[CSAchook]

I'll do some more research on what brand to feed, hoping or something Organic or at least non-GMO.

Maybe her previous owner fed a lot of greens, I'm not entirely sure. I know most small owners over feed "treats", using carrots, greens, veggies, as treats. Maybe her owner was one of those.
I read/heard form a few sources that greens were a great nutrient dense addition to the diet, so I plan on feeding dark leafy greens like lettuce, select herbs, etc, but read that Cabbage and Iceberg lettuce are hard on digestion, and don't have many nutrients.

Iceburg is nutrient poor and can cause diarrhea, so that one is a no go. Cabbage can potentially be fed in small amounts but like other cruciferous veggies (brusselsprouts, brocolli etc) it can cause gas and bloating in rabbits (and humans ) so introduce slowly and don't over do it. My bun likes the occasional cabbage leaf or sprout though.