| ~*~Lotsa Lops~*~ |
| ~FEEDING & NUTRITION~ |
| Many brands of feed companies have formulated a ration of pellet feed for the rabbit's minimal requirements during growth, maintenance, gestation and lactation. The actual size of the pellet will vary from brand to brand. However, a pellet of extreme length and diameter can increase waste by young kits unable to eat it. And excessive amount of fines in the feed is not beneficial either. Rabbits will not eat the fine particles, and this type of waste can increase the total cost of feeding. |
| When feeding rabbits, one should do so on an individual basis. The most common mistake in feeding is overfeeding. The general rule to feeding the individual rabbit ranges from some saying one (1) ounce of pellets per one (1) pound of bunny weight. Other suggest that an amount be given that the rabbit will eat within 20-30 minutes. With the exception to pregnant or nursing does whose feed intake is increased. Pellets left in a dish for over a 24 hour period could spoil and should be discarded and fresh pellets given. |
| ~Reading the Label~ |
| For the best health, a rabbit ration should contain approximately 16-18% protein 2-4% fat (energy) 16% fiber, minimum Usually an adequate amount of salt, vitamins and minerals are rationed into the pellets. |
| PROTEIN is needed in higher percents for growth & production. Excessive protein increases the nitrogen production in fecal material and urine amounts causing stronger ammonia release. Sources of protein are legumes and oil seed. Inadequate amounts of protein causes poor growth & production. |
| FAT/ENERGY is needed for growth, lactation and in cold weather. Lower energy levels mean more feed consumed & a lower protein is needed. Excess energy can cause obesity, enteritis or induce molt. Inadequate energy can cause a poor rate of weight gain, poor flesh condition, breeding problems or poor milking performance. |
| FIBER is a large percent of the rabbit's diet and digestibility is not as high in rabbits as in horses. Larger breeds tend to utilize fiber better due to longer retention time in the gastrointestinal tract. Usually the higher fiber content, the lower the energy content, and vice versa. Non-producing animals should have high fiber (16-22%). |
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| Fruits, vegetables and other various treats can be added into the rabbit's diet for many various reasons. From keeping a rabbit healthy and eating, to some that may go off their feed. By adding that favorite treat may get them back to eating again. If one is to add fruits and vegetables, remember to do so in small amounts. Dark green vegetables are more suggested over lighter ones, which can add an access amount of fluid into the diet and cause illness. |
| Bunny Cookies 1 cup flour 1 cup pellet fines 1/2 cup cheerios 1/2 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup milk 1/2 raisens 1/4 cup molasses 1 mashed banana Mix all together. Place spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and serve...to the bunnies!! |
| ~Yummy Treats~ |
| ~Rolling in the Hay~ |
| ROUGHAGE DIGEST. FAT FIBER PROTEIN Alfalfa 10.9% 1.9 28.6% Grass Hay 3.5% 2.5 30.9% Timothy 3.0% 2.3 30.3% Wheat Straw .3% 1.5 32.0% *rough estimations Kaytee brand-timothy 6.0% 2.0 32.0% |
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| ~Alfalfa~ |
| ~Grass/mix~ |
| ~Timothy~ |
| A common beneficial treat is a fiberous hay, added daily or weekly to their diet. Hay aids in the digestion of the rabbit and can prevent hair blockage. Rabbits are like cats in that they are self cleaners/groomers. Rabbits however can not "cough up a hairball", so the fiberous hay helps break down the build of hair and allow it to pass properly. A grass hay or timothy hay is fed by most breeders. Legume hays such as alfalfa are high in protein and calcium and could be too much in addition to the rabbits already balanced diet. Most pellets are made with alfalfa so adding extra alfalfa hay could cause digestive upsets. Grass hays have a lower digestable protein and higher fiber. A proper balance of proteins, fats and fiber is very important in managing a healthy rabbit. Larger rabbits will be able to utilize higher fiber diets better than smaller breeds. Hay also is beneficial to give rabbits something to chew on, reducing fur chewing, or wire pulling due to boredom. Also helps for proper wear of the molar teeth. |
| Carbohydrates and fats from various sources provide the majority of the energy in the rabbit's diet. Energy is needed for growth, gestation, lactation & in cold temperatures. Legume hay, supplemental concentrates, grains, corn, milk products, fats/sugar products & oils are sources of energy. Energy levels in pellet feeds can be lowered by adding grass hay, rolled oat products and other high fiber substances Excessive energy can increase eterititis (see Health & Disease page), as well as induce incidents of molt and cause obesity. High energy levels will increase growth rate, as well as increase fat throughout the body, producing unwanted soft flesh condition. |
| ~Full of Energy~ |
| ~Vitamins & Minerals~ |
| Adding extra vitamins or minerals can be done so through prepared supplements in the drinking water. Most are beneficial more to animals under stress like showing, travel, pregnancy or illness. Pelleted rations are balanced with the required amount of vitamins and minerals. Offerring a plain white salt spool can be good for a rabbit, especially during summer heat when rabbits may need to replenish what they have lost. Mineral spools (brown) are not a neccesity and many rabbits will ignore these. If your rabbit ignores his salt spool, then he is not lacking the need to replenish lost salt. A salt spool will also increase the water intake. |
| ~Cool, Clean Water~ |
| Water is of the most extreme importance for a rabbit to have an ample supply of. A rabbit that hasn't an ample amount of water to drink, will not eat to their potential. Water consumption can be increased by certain types of feed or nutrients. This is where some fruits or veggies come into play. Also, increasing the salt content or adding molasses to the feed can increase the amount of water consumption. Rabbits can be sensitive to the "taste" of some water. When travelling the "strange" water at your destination may not be appealing to your rabbit. Adding substances such as jello, vinegar or bleach in the water at home and then in your destination's strange water will "cover" the flavor and animals should drink normally. Fresh root type vegetables and fruit can be used to assist in assuring that the rabbit has a constant supply of fluid intake during times of travel or stress. Carrots, rutabaga, potatoes or apples are commonly used. |
| ~Probiotics Vs Organisms~ |
| ~Ammonia Inhibitors~ |
| The word Probiotic by definantion are substances that have living organisms present. The health and welfare or the rabbit needs to keep a balance of the microorganisms in the cecum. Minor food changes, changes in activity, disease or treatmeent of the rabbit with antibiotics upsets this balance. Probiotics are commonly recommended for use when antibiotics are used. Antibiotics can kill off the gram positive and negative bacteria in the ill rabbit's system. Anytime a rabbit goes off feed, consideration to an imbalance of the organisms in the cecum needs to be addressed. Probiotics can assist in returning the balance to normal. BeneBac is a very common probiotic that can be purchases by the tube. Also yogurt with live cultures. |
| Ammonia forms in the intestinal tract and in the collection area of the urine and feces of the rabbit. The very recognized smell of ammonia not only is offensive to us, but may also be dangerous to the animal's health, even low levels of ammonia in the rabbit herd. Increased ventilation and frequent cleaning can control the exposure of animals to the ammonia. However the addition of substances to the feed to control ammonia production is more commonly being used. The Yucca Schidigera plant inhibits the activity of urease and reduces it in the air. The enzyme urease is formed primarily by fecal bacteria. Controlling this production will prevent ammonia from being formed in the rabbit's lower gut and the urine/fecal collection area. Other products such as Stall Dry can be used in drop pans to help control the ammonia as well. |
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